I have been thinking about the news of 2 expansions per year, and it makes me wonder. If a couple years from now how spread out the GW players will be. Its hard enough finding a good group on certain missions, but if there were 8 different continents would people even still play the original content? Would I go to Hells Precepie and would anyone even be there?
What do you guys think? Anything that you can forsee happening this far in advance?
Will GW be spread too thin?
axe
mattimeo
I think people would still play in Tyria and i dont know bout hells precepie.. rly hard to find a group especially monks but ive done it with henchies + 1 death necro who joined 
Loviatar
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Originally Posted by axe
What do you guys think? Anything that you can forsee happening this far in advance? |
people will each find an area (chapter)they really like and spend spare time there.i have permanent characters in presear because i like it there.
same for other people in other chapters.
not to mention a hopefully growing population as well
Dahnel
i actually like the idea ... makes individuality (sp?) more feasable
Xanthar
This is an interesting question actually. EverQuest had this thing going rather early on, where some areas were simply not populated. Finding a group to do a quest there involved picking up people somewhare else and going there together.
I can certainly envision that previous chapters will grow continously more sparsely populated. On the other hand, this might not actually be a problem, as nothing in those areas are actually needed to play the game. In the long run, I suspect that the only way to be reasonably certain of a full group of human players in the old chapters is to do it "raid style" with your guild or a PUG assembled in some central location with the express purpose of doing old missions (some form of party formation assistance will be necessary).
As for the continuing support for "Prophecies", my guess is that eventually ANet/NCSoft will be phasing out the early chapters of the game from the stores, as a single game can only get so much shelf space - Some form of online purchase might be possible to pull off though.
Also, I think that the interest for the really old chapters might wane with time. The artistic style will begin to look dated, the skills will all have been reintroduced in later chapters and the newer missions will look a lot sharper when it comes to storyline and what you can do in them. All this will compound the population decrease problem. On the other hand - Who will still want to play "Prophecies" in two years time?
I can certainly envision that previous chapters will grow continously more sparsely populated. On the other hand, this might not actually be a problem, as nothing in those areas are actually needed to play the game. In the long run, I suspect that the only way to be reasonably certain of a full group of human players in the old chapters is to do it "raid style" with your guild or a PUG assembled in some central location with the express purpose of doing old missions (some form of party formation assistance will be necessary).
As for the continuing support for "Prophecies", my guess is that eventually ANet/NCSoft will be phasing out the early chapters of the game from the stores, as a single game can only get so much shelf space - Some form of online purchase might be possible to pull off though.
Also, I think that the interest for the really old chapters might wane with time. The artistic style will begin to look dated, the skills will all have been reintroduced in later chapters and the newer missions will look a lot sharper when it comes to storyline and what you can do in them. All this will compound the population decrease problem. On the other hand - Who will still want to play "Prophecies" in two years time?
tlr1293
Yes I do think that GW could get 'spread too thin'. Two 'upgrades' a year, of different continents could create a world where people can't find anyone but Guild Members for just a bout anything old.
Worse yet, what if GW1 goes like many software packages go: hard to find, or not able to buy. Then yes, doing that mission in Hell's Precipice will only be able to be done with Guildies or Hench.
I do think that GW has the potential to become sustained with 3 continents only: Tyria, Cantha, and one yet to be named. I think that ArenaNet has TREMENDOUS potential in developing content for areas already included in GW1, and to be there in GW2 and GW3. They did this with Sorrow's Furnace (they found a small spot on the current map...and went underground) and Grenth's Footprint.
Some ideas for future 'upgrades' would be:
- entrances to a forgotten land 'under' the Crystal Desert
...they have those 'fake' entrances already in place
...the story can be made up any way they want (the lands that fell into teh sea could be accessed fromhere, etc...)
- I'm sure there will be more places with potential in GW2 and 3
The point is NOT to spread out, but force players to access content through current content, that way people will runinto people. (ie...invade the Charr Lands through a small Pass traveling NE from Yak's Bend).
I would rather see 1 BIG Upgrade per year, with maybe 2 Sorrow's Furnace type updates between Upgrades.
Worse yet, what if GW1 goes like many software packages go: hard to find, or not able to buy. Then yes, doing that mission in Hell's Precipice will only be able to be done with Guildies or Hench.
I do think that GW has the potential to become sustained with 3 continents only: Tyria, Cantha, and one yet to be named. I think that ArenaNet has TREMENDOUS potential in developing content for areas already included in GW1, and to be there in GW2 and GW3. They did this with Sorrow's Furnace (they found a small spot on the current map...and went underground) and Grenth's Footprint.
Some ideas for future 'upgrades' would be:
- entrances to a forgotten land 'under' the Crystal Desert
...they have those 'fake' entrances already in place
...the story can be made up any way they want (the lands that fell into teh sea could be accessed fromhere, etc...)
- I'm sure there will be more places with potential in GW2 and 3
The point is NOT to spread out, but force players to access content through current content, that way people will runinto people. (ie...invade the Charr Lands through a small Pass traveling NE from Yak's Bend).
I would rather see 1 BIG Upgrade per year, with maybe 2 Sorrow's Furnace type updates between Upgrades.
=HT=Ingram
you also have to remember that new people come into the game all the time... I would expect you will be fine finding a pug... Posibily even easier then before cause you will not have as many Picky build party leaders by that time, they will have moved on... I for one still plan on playing Chapter 1 regularly... Mostly for recuiting purposes...
Ure Maker
more chapters? 2 chapters per year? NICE
anyway i would welcome the many chapters caus dont know about u but i hav played gw to death, completed all mission (numerous amount of times each) and ATM all i do is farm and hav fun with my mates(not pirticulary a bad thing i may add).
i also agree with the above post, i think anet will mabey stop producing GW that we play the now, but only when like a 3rd chapter comes out, remember all the ELITE skill junkies out there they need them all
but remember there r some GUILDS out there devoted to doin quests so if u find a guild (or make) one like that im sure u can still do quests,
im just more concerned about the way Anet r gonna do the lvl system r we all gonna be lvl 1 again with like FoW armour
imagine it wat a laugh
anyway i would welcome the many chapters caus dont know about u but i hav played gw to death, completed all mission (numerous amount of times each) and ATM all i do is farm and hav fun with my mates(not pirticulary a bad thing i may add).
i also agree with the above post, i think anet will mabey stop producing GW that we play the now, but only when like a 3rd chapter comes out, remember all the ELITE skill junkies out there they need them all
but remember there r some GUILDS out there devoted to doin quests so if u find a guild (or make) one like that im sure u can still do quests,
im just more concerned about the way Anet r gonna do the lvl system r we all gonna be lvl 1 again with like FoW armour
imagine it wat a laugh
Barinthus
I suppose it'd depend on whether if you only can acquire 'Chapter 1' skills in Prophecies. If that's the case, my new characters definitely will go through Chapter One in order to acquire those skills.
Ure Maker
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Originally Posted by Barinthus
I suppose it'd depend on whether if you only can acquire 'Chapter 1' skills in Prophecies. If that's the case, my new characters definitely will go through Chapter One in order to acquire those skills.
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the only reason i could think that Anet would incorporate new profession skills is IF they had to many bosses in chapter 2 caus of the old proffessions getting new elites, could overflow with bosses (but thats stratvhing the imagination a bit)
Zehnchu
Hard to say with a majority of people who already complete chapter one with numerous characters they will want to cross them over just to do all the content.
Evil Hypnotist
This is a very real possibility. PUGs will suffer, but it also increases the importance of guilds outside GvG, which can only be a good thing IMO
Ken Dei
A.Net has already stated they plan to keep "core" classes in every release of the game.
One can infer they keep the skills located somewhere in each release also.
As for shelf life of GW1. Easy answer, do what Diablo II did, release the new expansion/standalones, wait a while, then when they're cheap, package them. Get GW 1,2 and 3 for 50 bucks! Great way to get later customers into the universe of GW without feeling left behind.
I'm sure A.Net has planned ahead for this sorta thing.
One can infer they keep the skills located somewhere in each release also.
As for shelf life of GW1. Easy answer, do what Diablo II did, release the new expansion/standalones, wait a while, then when they're cheap, package them. Get GW 1,2 and 3 for 50 bucks! Great way to get later customers into the universe of GW without feeling left behind.
I'm sure A.Net has planned ahead for this sorta thing.
xxSilhouette
I am sure people will still play in chapter one, And there will always be new people, I'd say some people who get chapter two will end up getting chapter 1 as well. I know I plan to get them all and continue to play in all areas 
dargon
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Originally Posted by Ken Dei
A.Net has already stated they plan to keep "core" classes in every release of the game.
One can infer they keep the skills located somewhere in each release also. As for shelf life of GW1. Easy answer, do what Diablo II did, release the new expansion/standalones, wait a while, then when they're cheap, package them. Get GW 1,2 and 3 for 50 bucks! Great way to get later customers into the universe of GW without feeling left behind. I'm sure A.Net has planned ahead for this sorta thing. |
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The Rightful One
I doubt gw will get too spread because with the new expansions comming, it means more marketing and more new players being brought in, in addition to the old players.
Mavrik
Well I plan on getting chapter 2... but I have to wonder if it its pve areas are going to be like droknar and up as far as difficulty... or will they start out beginner areas... ascalon like as far as difficulty and what not and progress from there? Either way. I'll buy chapter 2 and play it. However if it starts of with the difficulty chapter 1 ends in... I probably will end up spending more time in chapter 1...
EternalTempest
It could depending on how Anet handles things. If they start giving away / making older chapters dirt cheap say on chapter 3 or 4, then I don't see this being a problem. If they keep "pumping" new games twice a year w/o going back I could see it getting thin.
I also don't see them doing a new "huge massive area" each game. I could see expansion down the road being of say C1 but 10 years latter or pre Orr explosion (and you can warp back between) the lands.
All I say it could happen but Anet has some options open to it to prevent it. It could be that you only have to buy the most current "2" expansion but anything past is free.
I also don't see them doing a new "huge massive area" each game. I could see expansion down the road being of say C1 but 10 years latter or pre Orr explosion (and you can warp back between) the lands.
All I say it could happen but Anet has some options open to it to prevent it. It could be that you only have to buy the most current "2" expansion but anything past is free.
Cherno
Maybe I misread things, but I didn't think that the 2 new per year equated to full expansions. I thought it was more along the Lines of:
April 06 - Factions released
Oct 06 - New area such as UW/SF/Tombs/FoW released
April 07 - New Full expansion released
Two full expansions a year is extremely aggresive and I think counter productive. I think that if they tried to do that, not only would the quality of each full expansion wane trying to meet a deadline, but people will not want to have to continually pay (6 months at $50 is just about the same as $10 a month of WoW, n'est-ce pas?, not even considering if you get the collector's edition instead of standard)
I don't like the idea and would rather get a new full expansion every year. You get more time to really become familiar with the new characters and terrain and their abilities and combos. More than that seems like desperation to keep people in the game. You shouldn't try to fend off competition by making more of a crappy product rather than a good amount of a quality product.
April 06 - Factions released
Oct 06 - New area such as UW/SF/Tombs/FoW released
April 07 - New Full expansion released
Two full expansions a year is extremely aggresive and I think counter productive. I think that if they tried to do that, not only would the quality of each full expansion wane trying to meet a deadline, but people will not want to have to continually pay (6 months at $50 is just about the same as $10 a month of WoW, n'est-ce pas?, not even considering if you get the collector's edition instead of standard)
I don't like the idea and would rather get a new full expansion every year. You get more time to really become familiar with the new characters and terrain and their abilities and combos. More than that seems like desperation to keep people in the game. You shouldn't try to fend off competition by making more of a crappy product rather than a good amount of a quality product.
Zehnchu
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Originally Posted by Cherno
Maybe I misread things, but I didn't think that the 2 new per year equated to full expansions. I thought it was more along the Lines of:
April 06 - Factions released Oct 06 - New area such as UW/SF/Tombs/FoW released April 07 - New Full expansion released Two full expansions a year is extremely aggresive and I think counter productive. I think that if they tried to do that, not only would the quality of each full expansion wane trying to meet a deadline, but people will not want to have to continually pay (6 months at $50 is just about the same as $10 a month of WoW, n'est-ce pas?, not even considering if you get the collector's edition instead of standard) I don't like the idea and would rather get a new full expansion every year. You get more time to really become familiar with the new characters and terrain and their abilities and combos. More than that seems like desperation to keep people in the game. You shouldn't try to fend off competition by making more of a crappy product rather than a good amount of a quality product. |
And yes they will release two new stand alone games a year.
Amsterdam
I think a game with substantial content like guild wars will continue to attract new players and keep players making new characters. The only thing I would be worried about is there not being enough content considering the economy, nothing costs anything anymore, mostly because everyone is now level 20 and can farm all the expensive things extensively. Prices will continue to fall unless new things come out.
Pevil Lihatuh
People in this game like 'perfect' things. This doesn't just include weapons. They want their characters to have done all missions with all bonuses. Found every little town and outpost. There will constantly be people buzzing between all the chapters I think.
Zehnchu
Juicey Shake posted a link to Factions FAQ
Excer
i doubt this will become a problem. chapter two is a new game, and thus it will probably attract the same amount if not more people since you will have new people and the old vets. i think most people will still play in chapter 1...i seriously doubt anyone would just completely abandon tyria. then of course you will have new people coming in. also remember that Anet is expanding into other countries, thus there will be more of an audience.
i must say i am a bit worried about the content of the chapters too. 6 months is a really short period of time. the time between chapter 1 and chapter two realease is roughly a year. i've had the game since release date, and although the thrill of exploring new and unknown lands and watching the cheesy cutscenes has long since faded, i still find plenty to do. i think 8-10 months would be good for each new chapter. and i also think they should stop after 3 or 4 chapters and just begin to update old chapters
i must say i am a bit worried about the content of the chapters too. 6 months is a really short period of time. the time between chapter 1 and chapter two realease is roughly a year. i've had the game since release date, and although the thrill of exploring new and unknown lands and watching the cheesy cutscenes has long since faded, i still find plenty to do. i think 8-10 months would be good for each new chapter. and i also think they should stop after 3 or 4 chapters and just begin to update old chapters
Qealoth
i highly disagree with you excer. I think 6 month is good enough for people to appreciate the game to the full extent.
I havent been playing the game since september and yet in six month i had the time to get 6 char through the story line and get into pvp .
I really enjoyed the pve side however i dont think i will be playiing much of the pve in the next chapter even though i will buy it.
So for me as a pvp player, and lets face it GW is a competetive game, having the metagame renewed every six month is really important since it gives anet time to analyze the current classes and add skills and gameplay that will force players to alter their game.
Had the Ritaulist been introduced in september/october i dont think we would havew seen IWAY to the same extent as currently
I havent been playing the game since september and yet in six month i had the time to get 6 char through the story line and get into pvp .
I really enjoyed the pve side however i dont think i will be playiing much of the pve in the next chapter even though i will buy it.
So for me as a pvp player, and lets face it GW is a competetive game, having the metagame renewed every six month is really important since it gives anet time to analyze the current classes and add skills and gameplay that will force players to alter their game.
Had the Ritaulist been introduced in september/october i dont think we would havew seen IWAY to the same extent as currently
Excer
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Originally Posted by Qealoth
i highly disagree with you excer. I think 6 month is good enough for people to appreciate the game to the full extent.
I havent been playing the game since september and yet in six month i had the time to get 6 char through the story line and get into pvp . I really enjoyed the pve side however i dont think i will be playiing much of the pve in the next chapter even though i will buy it. So for me as a pvp player, and lets face it GW is a competetive game, having the metagame renewed every six month is really important since it gives anet time to analyze the current classes and add skills and gameplay that will force players to alter their game. |
Qealoth
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Originally Posted by Excer
perhaps you missed my point. i'm saying 6 months might not be enough developing time for a good game with lots of new content.
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BellyFlop
lets hope this is going to be good, cos see short chapters in the future. they say no treadmil but will they rush us to play quick cos next chapter is comming out
Grimm
I'm surprised at the sheer number of people who have no read about how new Chapters will work.
There will be a Pre-searing type area in Chapter 2, so no, new characters there don't start at level 20.
Yes, you can bring Chapter 1 characters over and start on the high-level content.
Yes, you will be able to make characters of the existing classes, but they won't have access to all skills unless you take them into Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 is standalone, or actually "stand-along".
They are releasing two full new chapters a year so they say.
There will be a Pre-searing type area in Chapter 2, so no, new characters there don't start at level 20.
Yes, you can bring Chapter 1 characters over and start on the high-level content.
Yes, you will be able to make characters of the existing classes, but they won't have access to all skills unless you take them into Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 is standalone, or actually "stand-along".
They are releasing two full new chapters a year so they say.
Lord Palidore
Its a good question, we'll just have too see. There will always be a flow of new people to ch1, which will probably increase after chapter two is released. Im just glad I ascended when it was still easy to find PUGS (Back in July).
As for the 2 expansions a year business- dont know where everyones getting that idea. They did say they were aiming for 2 a year when the original game released, however it already took them nearly a year to release factions, and I doubt they will manage to fit another one in by December.
As for the 2 expansions a year business- dont know where everyones getting that idea. They did say they were aiming for 2 a year when the original game released, however it already took them nearly a year to release factions, and I doubt they will manage to fit another one in by December.
neoteo
i think it will take a lot of time for everyone that plays guildwars 1 buy guildwars 2 . also people will be buying guildwars 1 after 2 is out .
some items , expecialy weapons will only be lootable in guildwars 1 , same for armor , materials etc . im sure anet will fuze the games. they say you dont have to buy guildwars 1 to play 2 , but im sure there will be good reasons for people who have gw2 go to gw1 continent and vice versa.
just my 2 cents
some items , expecialy weapons will only be lootable in guildwars 1 , same for armor , materials etc . im sure anet will fuze the games. they say you dont have to buy guildwars 1 to play 2 , but im sure there will be good reasons for people who have gw2 go to gw1 continent and vice versa.
just my 2 cents
MinaDrakul
I don't think GW will be spread too thin. Besides what everyone has said about new players and old content, some people will end up liking a certain land or campaign better then another. So, no, we won't be spread too thin. In fact, PuGs might be better in the older chapters because you have people who really want to do it, not just level up.