Halloween Festival Hat Giver

St??phane Lo Presti

St??phane Lo Presti

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2010

Seattle

Hi everyone,

Given the feedback we've received from players about Halloween Festival Hats (notably from those unable to get them due to general power failures), we've decided to offer another opportunity to get the hats. We're aiming to spawn a Halloween Festival Hat Giver in game next week, probably in Lion's Arch and Kamadan, for a week and asking for Halloween items. These details are not final yet but we wanted to give you a heads up and will keep you informed about the details as we get them.

lemming

lemming

The Hotshot

Join Date: May 2006

Honolulu

International District [id???]

Moral of the story: complain angrily enough in public and you'll get your way?

Essence Snow

Essence Snow

Unbridled Enthusiasm!

Join Date: Nov 2009

EST

DPR

Just this past event's hats, or any past halloween event's hats?

St??phane Lo Presti

St??phane Lo Presti

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2010

Seattle

Quote:
Originally Posted by Essence Snow View Post
Just this past event's hats, or any past halloween event's hats?
Only the ones from the Halloween 2011 event.

Essence Snow

Essence Snow

Unbridled Enthusiasm!

Join Date: Nov 2009

EST

DPR

Awwww...."sniffles"...okay

drkn

drkn

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2009

Wroc??aw, Poland

Midnight Mayhem

Me/

Quote:
Given the feedback we've received from players about Halloween Festival Hats (notably from those unable to get them due to general power failures), we've decided to offer another opportunity to get the hats.
What about massive feedback about Festival Hats, notably those that were available years ago, when the playerbase wasn't so large?
And so on...

If it wasn't ANet's fault (as with one of the Wintersday's), a redux seems unfair, unless there'd be an opportunity to get every Festival Hat in game, at some point.

cormac ap dunn

cormac ap dunn

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2007

Mystic Empires III [xMEx]

Me/

Always wanting more... See Anet, you give a little bit, and they always want more. Moral of the story: give the whiney ones an inch, they take a mile.

Chaos Zero

Chaos Zero

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2009

Jade Reapers [JD]

W/

Quite a few of my friends missed out on this years Halloween hats, so this will be good news for them ^_^

Olle

Olle

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2008

Ign: Miniature Julia

Teh Academy[PhD]

W/

Sure, we can complain, or be happy that they are actually kind enough to do this.

I was in London and couldent get online, so Thanks alot !

mathiastemplar

mathiastemplar

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2008

Denmark

Jade Reapers [JD]

W/

Thank you for this! I had no time to go online during halloween, really nice to see )

shinta_himura

shinta_himura

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

D/

Thank you so much!

Loving all the haters complaining about nothing now.

dasmitchies

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2007

Sacred Forge Knights

W/P

I gots mah hats, but I agree this last year was brutal to a lot of players that were not able to even afk the event. Thanks, ANET

The Drunkard

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2007

Still looking

Rt/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stéphane Lo Presti View Post
Hi everyone,

Given the feedback we've received from players about Halloween Festival Hats (notably from those unable to get them due to general power failures), we've decided to offer another opportunity to get the hats. We're aiming to spawn a Halloween Festival Hat Giver in game next week, probably in Lion's Arch and Kamadan, for a week and asking for Halloween items. These details are not final yet but we wanted to give you a heads up and will keep you informed about the details as we get them.
Is this more of a one-time opportunity to get hats due to weather problems, or would this be something that you might incorporate for future Halloween events?

Also, if Halloween is going to receive a hat trader, is the live team going to look into doing something like this for Wintersday?

Thanks

` Marshmallow

` Marshmallow

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2009

Canadaa!

Last Friday Night [TGIF]

E/

Hurray~! I didnt wanna afk in LA to get that bag hat:3

Thankies <3

Konig Des Todes

Konig Des Todes

Ooo, pretty flower

Join Date: Jan 2008

Citadel of the Decayed

The Archivists' Sanctum [Lore]

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by drkn View Post
What about massive feedback about Festival Hats, notably those that were available years ago, when the playerbase wasn't so large?
And so on...

If it wasn't ANet's fault (as with one of the Wintersday's), a redux seems unfair, unless there'd be an opportunity to get every Festival Hat in game, at some point.
So what you're saying is that because Anet didn't do anything wrong, they shouldn't help people who were out of luck for one reason or another - in other words, because they didn't screw up themselves, it is unfair for them to be nice people.

However, since they have - again, might I add - Anet should provide the same services for older things to those who never even owned the game during the time those older things originally took place because it wouldn't fair otherwise.

That makes no sense, as people now actually own the game while they did not in the past. I hope you're being sarcastic when saying that.

Now, if you were to instead say "offer old hats to those whose accounts are old enough" that would be a different story. But would need to be done in a very precise manner.

drkn

drkn

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2009

Wroc??aw, Poland

Midnight Mayhem

Me/

Quote:
Now, if you were to instead say "offer old hats to those whose accounts are old enough" that would be a different story. But would need to be done in a very precise manner.
So be it that way.
Years ago, people might have missed events due to many random things - they lost power or internet connection (be it a massive issue or not), they had to leave for business, they were threaten by a racoon assassin. Or they simply didn't know about the hats, even though they owned the game.
Many people missed stuff this way. I don't see a reason to let people get a 'second chance' because of 'massive power problems' - something that wasn't ANet's fault (or their servers, or their connection, or their staff's cat).
Doing it just to 'be nice' because some random thing happened to a part of the playerbase isn't enough, in my opinion. Be nice and let the Costume Brawl-like arena be there whole year round, so we can farm Gamer points (what about people who can't play during holidays, cause they have families to spend them with?). Be nice and make the drop rate for xyz higher (what about people who can't farm that long but are very devoted and nice people? it's not their fault they can't dedicate so much time to a game).

akelarumi

akelarumi

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2009

E/

I agree this descission seems a bit unfair. It has always been that halloween hats and wintersday hats could only be aquired during the finals. The only reason to make an exception is that they changed the way the event started (not being able to jump from la low number district to kamadan high number district to get both hats at the samer time, though the events aren't in total sync, it was a lot better then before, but before it was in my opinion bugged).

The only true reason I can find is the number of hats given out and the simple fact that GW is preparing for GW2 and preparing to stand alone mode. So maybe it's time to pull an old concept I proposed before into this discussion.

1: make two kinds of hats (from the same kind).
2: All hats aquired during a festival finale are tradable.
3: All hats made at a hatmaker are untradable.
4: after trading a hat you can't show it to a hatmaker
5: all hats showed to the hatmaker before the update can be crafted once/account to it's original form (the one that is tradable) at the hatmaker.

What would this do?
It puts the value of festival hats in the hands of the market. if you where there you can sell that hat for money one time and still remake the hat for personal use at the hatmaker. If you miss a finale hat you can buy one from another player, but not replicate it. The price will be decided by market so on rarity and skin. People who attended to the 2005 halloween finale event and got a pumkin crown prolly can make a nice amount of money out of. People who really wish to have it, can buy it.

And I know all those people who say I don't want people who weren't there to have those hats complain, but the answer is simple. if you don't want that don't sell your one copy of it....... (yes a lot of people will go for the, money, but you are still the idealist, and in the end I think its better then having a hat giver for weeks/even months after every event).

Dewshine Wildclaw

Dewshine Wildclaw

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2008

Planet Earth

Weapons Of Tyria [WoT]

R/

First of all I think it is nice of Anet to add this, but I am sure others will be happy with this change. I sincerely hope that the halloween hatgiver will be a returning thing though, same with wintersday hatgiver.
It is good to be nice even if it was not Anets fault, however it does sorta require the same service is given if it similar should happen anywhere else. Would it have mattered if it had been some part of Scandinavia that would have had this problem? We don't have districts for our languages, perhaps we are really a smaller part of the playerbase, bus some of us are just as devoted to the game as people everywhere else.

StormDragonZ

StormDragonZ

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

New York

W/R

If you don't pick up the hats this time around, it's your own GO RED ENGINE fault.

Period!

Leohan

Leohan

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2009

R/

Unlike some, others can think of the future, if anyone even read the original discussion of this matter.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/w...tml?t=10496882
It's about thinking ahead. GW1 and GW2 are going to be side by side and there needs to be a more open window for players to participate in both games.
Anet is thinking ahead.
There will be Halloween Events in GW1 & GW2, everyone does not sit at their computer all day. Giving people a week to obtain special one time only items is not only good for players, but good for Anet to keep people playing both games.

For those who can't see why this is beneficial for all parties, than I guess that's your problem.

Rise of Cpu

Rise of Cpu

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2007

trollin in hong kong city

[Jwlz]

Mo/A

I am pretty sure while you all are moaning about this, you should know that the developers and moderators have all been assigned different jobs during the creation of gw2, not every developer is on the task, some are still monitoring gw1. So in this case, there is a team that is specifically focused on the game we are currently playing. Adding an npc isn't too hard, they have the code already for the lad, just need to place him in LA. Personally I think its an easier choice they can make and implement. Seriously the main priority of anet is to focus on making the gaming playerbase happy. They want to keep the population at good numbers so that they can have a good playerbase entering gw2. Never stop trying to please the customer even if you have something else to do. We are all lucky to have such pleasant human beings on the development of the game we love or for some of you that might 'hate' it.

lemming

lemming

The Hotshot

Join Date: May 2006

Honolulu

International District [id???]

I think we're all curious about whether or not this is going to be a long-term policy change.

cosyfiep

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

I am glad that they were able to see that the major power outage on the east coast was worthy of getting a hat giver for this event.

thank you anet.

GODh

GODh

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2005

The Netherlands

BFTW and DLRR

I already have my hats, but its good to see that anet cares about players who missed them (for whatever reason)

Zenzai

Zenzai

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2009

N/E

I know I am. And are they going to use tot bags to exchange for the masks? I can smell expliotation all over that from sellers. More so than usual if this is not a long-term policy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lemming View Post
I think we're all curious about whether or not this is going to be a long-term policy change.
Edit:

Unless these power outages were on Arenanet's side, which I don't see it directly mentioned in the OP, I don't understand why they should. It's a bit unfair of arenanet to stop for the rest of the world each time there is some act of god or accident they aren't directly linked to. Yeah, it's a pity otherwise if a part of the world was cut off for some time from the all-powerful internet and electricity, but I think that's a bigger priority, in itself, than meeting some game date if that's the case.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rise of Cpu View Post
I am pretty sure while you all are moaning about this, you should know that the developers and moderators have all been assigned different jobs during the creation of gw2, not every developer is on the task, some are still monitoring gw1. So in this case, there is a team that is specifically focused on the game we are currently playing. Adding an npc isn't too hard, they have the code already for the lad, just need to place him in LA. Personally I think its an easier choice they can make and implement. Seriously the main priority of anet is to focus on making the gaming playerbase happy. They want to keep the population at good numbers so that they can have a good playerbase entering gw2. Never stop trying to please the customer even if you have something else to do. We are all lucky to have such pleasant human beings on the development of the game we love or for some of you that might 'hate' it.

hallomik

hallomik

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2006

The Illini Tribe

N/Mo

Also already got my hats, but glad to see that others who missed out can get theirs.

Anet didn't have to, but nice they did.

Mesmers Are Bad

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2008

NJ

RoCk

Me/

I wasn't going to complain about not getting my hats due to the week long power outage, but I have to say a huge Thank You to ANet for being awesome and understanding how to keep a player base happy!

cormac ap dunn

cormac ap dunn

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2007

Mystic Empires III [xMEx]

Me/

Glad as I am for those that missed this opportunity for valid reasons out of thier own control, I'm afraid of the wave of THIS. Its already a problem in most games, and GW is no different. Every time this game gets something free, unexpected, new or different, the general population is grateful. But along come the self entitled, its not enough, "more more more" types. The first place those with no sense of gratitude go is this forum, in the hopes that something just like this will happen. So kudos, Anet, for listening but be aware of what you may have just called down.

Star_Jewel

Star_Jewel

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2010

Denizen of Tyria since Feb. 2009

I don't understand the people getting their noses out of joint over this. Does the hat giver at the Dragon Festival make your blood boil every year, too? What about the one at Wintersday that's had the gall to show up the last two years?

I always attend the finales and get my hats "the right way" (whatever that might mean). And because I don't live in a part of the country prone to disastrous storms and outages, I should continue to be able to do that. But if this is a permanent addition, and if the Wintersday one also continues to appear permanently, it makes me very happy because it makes sense.

This isn't about indulging whiners. It's about bringing cohesion to the events.
All festivals with unique hats should have a hat giver afterwards. It's silly to just have it for 1/3 or 2/3.


Thank you, ANet.

Polgara Val

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2007

TSR

Mo/Me

Glad to see the people missing out will get there hats now. Still wish I can get my hands on the first year hats.

Pol

cormac ap dunn

cormac ap dunn

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2007

Mystic Empires III [xMEx]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Star_Jewel View Post
I don't understand the people getting their noses out of joint over this. Does the hat giver at the Dragon Festival make your blood boil every year, too? What about the one at Wintersday that's had the gall to show up the last two years?

I always attend the finales and get my hats "the right way" (whatever that might mean). And because I don't live in a part of the country prone to disastrous storms and outages, I should continue to be able to do that. But if this is a permanent addition, and if the Wintersday one also continues to appear permanently, it makes me very happy because it makes sense.

This isn't about indulging whiners. It's about bringing cohesion to the events.
All festivals with unique hats should have a hat giver afterwards. It's silly to just have it for 1/3 or 2/3.


Thank you, ANet.
The only concern I have is the people who will not see it as enough and want the past hats, then its just a snowball effect.

Avatar of Me

Avatar of Me

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2006

N/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by cormac ap dunn View Post
The only concern I have is the people who will not see it as enough and want the past hats, then its just a snowball effect.
I would not be opposed to Anet adding "hats of holidays past" to the in-game store for a nominal fee. Possibly in packs. (i.e. both Halloween hats from 2007 together, or all hats from a particular year in a single pack)

Star_Jewel

Star_Jewel

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2010

Denizen of Tyria since Feb. 2009

Well, it's human nature to always want more. And it seems online games amplify such human tendencies.

People have always wanted the past hats, but I don't think this is the tiny pebble to get that snowball rolling.

It's two different issues, in my opinion.

I honestly don't know how I feel about the prospect of offering past hats. A lot of people want them (I wasn't playing in the old days and might like some, too); but by the same token, I know those who have them feel special because of their exclusivity.


Bottom line from my perspective: I loudly supported adding the Halloween hat giver. I wouldn't do the same for requesting "hats of holidays past" (cute label, though).

Rise of Cpu

Rise of Cpu

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2007

trollin in hong kong city

[Jwlz]

Mo/A

the actual bottom line is that they implemented something into the game because they were being sincere. I don't think they mind if the community still moans, I just think it was to please the community a little instead of getting rid of complaints. I don't think you have to worry about the 'snowball effect', if people complain and they do fix that up for availability for past year hats, then the veteran community will moan also about how the fairness of it all has been adjusted.
Just chill. This was a good move by Anet, at least they are making moves ahead, rather than backwards (like some games I can mention - SWG).

Zenzai

Zenzai

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2009

N/E

If they couldn't get on for the last week, and they require ToT bags, there are still going to be people who aren't going to get them. They'll probably require at least 125, which is going off of tradition. Don't cheer just yet.

Vanway

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2011

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Leohan View Post
Unlike some, others can think of the future, if anyone even read the original discussion of this matter.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/w...tml?t=10496882
It's about thinking ahead. GW1 and GW2 are going to be side by side and there needs to be a more open window for players to participate in both games.
Anet is thinking ahead.
There will be Halloween Events in GW1 & GW2, everyone does not sit at their computer all day. Giving people a week to obtain special one time only items is not only good for players, but good for Anet to keep people playing both games.

For those who can't see why this is beneficial for all parties, than I guess that's your problem.
if you can explain in what way anet wasting time on this instead of thing that would actually make the game better is beneficial to me, ill agree with you.
also, why do the mods delete every anti anet post ever, even if it says something legitimate?

cormac ap dunn

cormac ap dunn

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2007

Mystic Empires III [xMEx]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zenzai View Post
If they couldn't get on for the last week, and they require ToT bags, there are still going to be people who aren't going to get them. They'll probably require at least 125, which is going off of tradition. Don't cheer just yet.
There are still plenty of Stacks of ToT bags floating around for sale, i suppose its only fair, as the storm happened on halloween. If they weren't on before that, then I would assume they didn't care too much for the other parts of the event. its a small price to pay if they want the hats imo

Odinius

Odinius

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Netherlands

[OBEY]

N/R

This is a good thing and really should be the standard for all events.
Lots of other mmo's have the festival gear available through quests that start when the decorations go up.
The are a lot of people playing which all have different agenda's and giving the community as a whole more time to aquire something fun in the game is only improving it.


Quote:
Originally Posted by lemming View Post
Moral of the story: complain angrily enough in public and you'll get your way?
Indeed and that should be true for every company that provides you a service if you can state a legit REASON and POINT of your complaint. (although "angry and public" are not mandatory, the guy on here was just venting(angry) his displeasure in his thread(public) so those two aspects could not be avoided, it is a forum after all)
If I go to a restaurant and complain:
that my soup is cold: legit it should be warm.
that my soup is too hot: not legit, just wait.
that my soup is too salt: might be legit chef has to check, could be own fault but most of the time chef offers new soup.
that my soup tastes weird: might be ligit, might be taste, most of the time you get a new one
that I don't like my soup: matter of taste, you ordered a soup that you never had before and just don't like it, still, although not very often, chef offers you a new soup.
And these are just some simple examples which apply to everything you encounter in life.
Complaining isn't always a bad thing, it improves the service of the company (adding a hat giver in this case) and should NEVER be mistaken for whining whis is often without reason or point.

Aeronwen

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

UK

bone

R/

If you weren't there, you weren't there!

Why does everything have to be made available to everyone?

Quote:
There are, it has been said, two types of people in the world. There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!
-- (Terry Pratchett, The Truth)

Oleg

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2008

The Apologetti

W/

I'm surprised no-one has complained about the hats pre-hat maker when each char had to attend to get the hat. I missed out on a couple so that multiple chars could have the same hat that I preferred. Not really a big deal, but surprising no-one has jumped up and down about it.

Good on Anet for letting more people get this year's hats. I don't see a downside. I also see no downside to Anet reading opinions in Guru and making alterations based on what people have said.

It seems that complaints lead to getting what people want because complaints require change for resolution. Praise will only promote the status quo, which results in no change. If you weren't happy with something and stayed silent, how did you expect it to be changed?

The thing about the event complaints is people provided a basis for complaint and then provided a workable solution, a festival hat NPC. So the message to take form this: If you aren't happy with something, clearly state why and offer a solution and things may change in your favor.