Rant: Remove the Babysitter - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Justafyme

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

07 Apr 2006 at 09:37 - 41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sverige614

Just as a clarification, the above statement is being made in the wrong context. The "seat-belt law" was created by the insurance companies using lobbiests to get the law passed because it saves them money, not that they care about the public.

*edit* Speaking of the situation in the USA.

Cool...and just for clarification. Where I am from, the Insurance company is run by THE GOVERNMENT.

Murk

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 09:44 - 42

Be glad,

They only have a banner " You played for bla bla hours take a break "
Instead of that, they can also shut down the game after playing 6 hours lol

" You played for bla bla hours, shut down in 5 min "

Silent Kitty

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2006

Netherlands

[TYW] "The Young World"

A/Me

07 Apr 2006 at 10:16 - 43

I already have a mum. Don't need another one telling me to get away from the computer.
On the other hand, some people do

Rayea

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

west yorkshire, Uk

Sisters of Serenity

N/Mo

07 Apr 2006 at 13:02 - 44

well i dont mind the little thing..i even went looking through my text to see if i had one..and wow, i did

but it took some looking for it...

i like it because i can now tell how many hours i have been playing, cause sometimes it feels like i have only been sitting theres for half an hour, sometimes it feels like 2 or 3 or more. knowing its acutally only been a hour when it felt like 3 is good.

i agree that you should be able to turn off the HoH win messages, especailly if your in pve.....
i also would like a /fav? commant to let me know which side currently has the favour if i have the hoh messages truned off....
to me, that would be more usefull....
along with a small button on the main GW website frontpage that asks...
'who has the Favour right now? *click* currently, <name of side> has the favour'
that would alow folks to keep an eye on whi is winning, even if their at work, so they can just click it and find out as they are geting ready to go home ^^
(sure, they would have to check again befor going in once they are redy to play, but its faster than logging in, porting to the right place then finding out you cant go in lol)

stickyballs

Banned

Join Date: Feb 2006

American Servers

Sin Squad [SIN]

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 13:09 - 45

Just ignore it and don't type it.

And yes, a 37-year old due in Korea died after playing for like 20 straight hours w/ food or water or something like that in some Internet Cafe. No wonder their so good, lol. So dedicated...

.

EDIT: There are other threads on this and I REALLY don't think it's an issue...

Rayea

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

west yorkshire, Uk

Sisters of Serenity

N/Mo

07 Apr 2006 at 13:37 - 46

actually, it was 50 hours..they just listed a lot of the info in this months GAMEStm mag....

*issue 42 (lol, no im not joking)page 84, snipet article names games that kill*

a 28 year old man playing starcraft in the south korean city of Taegu. police found out he had eaten little during his 50-hour stint which began on August 3rd 2005. apparently he took small naps while in the toilet, but he collapsed and lated died in hospital.

its part of the back to basics article.

i wouldnt say dedicated, i would sau involved...i know people that play games too much sometimes, frell I play some games too long occasionaly.
i pay for it too, the next day or the day after that....tired, ratty and generally a bugbear to be with...
(after playing a rez evil game for 3 days *not non-stop* i noticed any shuffling, moaning or sudden noises had me jumpy and i was iritable lol, so it does affect you..and i was snappy with people...just glad i didnt see anyone shuffling...

)

besides, you cant go without water for that long..food, yeah, but not water...im sure he probably drank fluids at the pc, i mean thats easy..can o pop and a straw....
not to mention that cyber cafes usually make extra cash by selling food and drink....though most just sell drinks and snacks...not proper meals.

Big_Iron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

The Edge

Tormented Weapons [emo]

07 Apr 2006 at 13:45 - 47

/not signed

I like it. And it's so small and inoffensive, how can anyone find it annoying? Plus, it comes up ONLY once an hour.

stickyballs

Banned

Join Date: Feb 2006

American Servers

Sin Squad [SIN]

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 13:47 - 48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayea

actually, it was 50 hours..they just listed a lot of the info in this months GAMEStm mag....

*issue 42 (lol, no im not joking)page 84, snipet article names games that kill*

a 28 year old man playing starcraft in the south korean city of Taegu. police found out he had eaten little during his 50-hour stint which began on August 3rd 2005. apparently he took small naps while in the toilet, but he collapsed and lated died in hospital.

My bad, the point is that he played A LOT and he died,

.

Murk

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 13:56 - 49

OMG that's sick.. Get a life

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 14:33 - 50

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLordOfBlah

I heard from a guildie that it kicks you after 8 hours.

You're guildie is lying. Gaile has said this counter has no effect on gameplay. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

So ignore it and get on with playing. I swear, people spend more time complaining about things on message boards than just playing the damn game!

Draygo Korvan

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/Me

07 Apr 2006 at 14:36 - 51

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLordOfBlah

I heard from a guildie that it kicks you after 8 hours.

FALSE, Not TRUE, Urban Legend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

We don't do anything like boot you off when you have played what some artibrary judge feels is "too much." We won't shut server access, nor remind you that school started 3 hours ago, you had a final, and you're going to get an "F" in three courses if you don't get your act together. And no, we won't start that loop of "The more hours played, the fewer drops or the less gold." The message has no effect; it's just an advisory.

Source: http://www.guild-hall.net/forum/show...9&postcount=37

Have fun. And please remember, take a shower.

aeroclown

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Louisiana

E/Mo

07 Apr 2006 at 14:40 - 52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drevik Crimson Hero

"You have been playing for 6 hours. You need to take a break"... How annoying!!!! If I want to live on my PC, Anet who are you to tell me different? It is my perogative. Anet dump the retarded "you have been playing message" for a real game enhanser. GRRRRRRRRRR....

If no one has pointed this out then I will. The biggest reason I see for this is ergonomics, no one wants to be responsible for your problems resulting from pro-longed game play. If I;m not mistaken in fact there have been several deaths as a result of pro-longed game play since MMOs emerged. I see nothing wrong with a reminder that there is a real world.

Stolen Souls

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Feb 2006

07 Apr 2006 at 15:01 - 53

I have absolutely nothing against the counter. It's actually now a lot easier to keep track of how long I've been playing. All it is, is a friendly reminder that you should maybe get up and stretch after a while (which you should do anyway).

Maybe if alarms went off, and it made the screen flash, then yes, I would find it annoying. But seriously...it's ONE short line of text...

Fred Kiwi

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

[cola]

07 Apr 2006 at 15:08 - 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theus

Its a thing called "outside".Kay?

out..side? whats that?

Naqser

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

N/A

Northern Borderguard

N/E

07 Apr 2006 at 15:19 - 55

i know what this is, you only wanted attention, or piss someone or a few ppl of, you looked for something and you found that little line of text, it isn't possible that someone could be pissed at that. You get th idea

Rancour

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Camp Rancor (Rancour :D)

I'm a free spirit (that's not what the guild is called, I just am)

W/R

07 Apr 2006 at 15:34 - 56

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkofStorms

The thing is, all those stories about people dying from video gaming in Korea stem from one game, the popular RTS game StarCraft (see my arvatar). As far as I know, it is the only game to have ever killed anybody from heart failure.

Actually, a girl was killed from playing too much World of Warcraft, and some guy died a year before or something from playing too much Diablo 2.

I'm not out to get Blizzard here, but I sorta think it would've been a good idea if those games had a timer. I don't care if they do it because they're nice or because they're afraid of being sued... I just think it's a good thing if you can help to save a life. I mean, having the timer in the game doesn't hurt anyone but it might save someone.

I think that's a pretty good investment.

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

07 Apr 2006 at 15:59 - 57

/not signed

Ignore it. Personally the "____ has won in the hall of heroes" is way more annoying.

Tarun

Technician's Corner Moderator

Join Date: Jan 2006

The TARDIS

http://www.lunarsoft.net/ http://forums.lunarsoft.net/

07 Apr 2006 at 16:27 - 58

Quote:

Originally Posted by GW Support

This message was added to Guild Wars in compliance with some international laws. Essentially, these laws state that players are to be reminded that they have been playing for extended amounts of time and should consider taking a break.

There is no way to disable or minimize this message. However, there is no timer or cutoff point associated to it. Therefore, you and your fellow Guild Wars players will be able to enjoy the Guild Wars world for as long as it is comfortable to do so.

Reply:

Then make an option for the North American region to be able to disable it, because it is very annoying. There is currently no law mandating the duration of time any user can or cannot play a game within North America. Many users on several forums are also complaining of how this feature is annoying.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s....php?t=3006844

Highly consider an option to remove this from appearing for people in regions where there are no laws mandating gameplay. Much as was done for the Hints, a way to disable the nagging message from appearing at all.

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

07 Apr 2006 at 16:52 - 59

/not signed

It comes up ONCE PER HOUR. Seriously how can that bother you? Once per hour.

I'd rather get rid of all the "X monster has dropped Y for player Z" stuff. I can see my drops I dont need a little message telling me.

felinette

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

Girl Power [GP]

Me/

07 Apr 2006 at 17:06 - 60

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyra_song

Personally the "____ has won in the hall of heroes" is way more annoying.

Ditto. If we could just type in /favor to find out who currently has favor, that would suffice.

Can I half-sign something? I don't mind the messages, but I do think we should have the option of turning them off.

Raiin Maker

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

England

Blood On The Worlds Hands

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 17:10 - 61

Theres nothing wrong with it. Its to stop them getting sued, and its to make sure you dont get RSI.

Does it matter that ONCE an hour, you see a little message that tells you how long you've been playing and advises you on what to do next. If you dont like it, just ignore it, its not like its gonna keep saying it, until you cant see your chatbar.

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 17:14 - 62

Begin Sarcastic Post:

I think everything should be turned off: update notices, HoH announcements, drops, pick-up of drops, NPC talk points, mission prompts, etc., etc.

While we're at it, turn off the annoying HP and XP numbers popping on the screen, spell effects, emotes, and those annoying allies running around, (all they do is get in my way, after all).

Oh, and the NPCs, background and terrain should be able to be turned off as well. I mean, seriously, all this stuff just distracts me from playing the game...

/end sarcasm

Barnoc

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Mar 2006

Pass the Mug {MUG}

07 Apr 2006 at 17:21 - 63

I love the new message. Now, I can tell the wife: "I'm going to play for two hours tonight, and the system will remind me when the two hours are up, so you don't need to!" Makes for a much better game experience.

Mahanaxar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2005

Italy

Lupus Et Agnus

R/

07 Apr 2006 at 17:21 - 64

Wow, how annoying can be a little blue message popping out once per hour?

I think some people just need to complain about random things for no reason.

Seriously...a little message...60 replies? Wow..

Jessyi

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mo/

07 Apr 2006 at 17:21 - 65

The notices didn't exist two days ago, and if people don't like them now they should be able to turn off. Believe it or not, a lot of people don't like having things suggested to them no matter how innocuous the suggestion, especially in America.

No no...here in the land of the free, if people are old enough to put on thier own pants, as well as drink, smoke, drive, vote, etc., they can probably decide how much computer time is "too much".

I'll tell you of a similar story up here in Canada where I live. It's called the "gun registry", the idea of which was that if all weapons in Canada were registered that it would cut violent gun crime. It cost like 10 times as much taxpayer money as it was supposed to and it didn't work because the people using guns to kill people didn't (get this) register thier guns. It turned out to be a very expensive way to make sure that people who weren't commiting crimes...uh...didn't commit any crimes.

Conclusion: Most people don't need to be told how much computer time is too much. Those who do have a problem that a little notification isn't going to fix.

Come on ANet, let us turn it off. Most people want it removed because they find it insulting to thier intelligence, and I tend to agree. I can prevent myself from dying in front of the computer TYVM.

-Jessyi

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

07 Apr 2006 at 17:32 - 66

I have no problem if they add a toggle to it, but they are not telling you to do anything. Comparing this to registering guns is kinda silly. It is just letting you know how long you have been on and giving you a silly message to go along with it. You can just ignore it.

If I feel like playing 24 hours straight without a break then I'll do it whether there is a message or not. Not that I would actually do that.

Its once an hour. Once....not a big deal. No one is forcing you to do anything. Just keep playing. Ignore it.

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

07 Apr 2006 at 17:42 - 67

Quote:

Originally Posted by calamitykell

Link to info because I'm 80% sure you're wrong. I do recall someone dying after playing WoW (or maybe L2 or something) for days and not eating or sleeping. Even if it's only once, it makes your statement wrong.

Well, I was wrong and I will admit that, sort of. Only 3 people have ever DIRRECTLY died due to video games. And they died from heart failure from the game StarCraft and Berzerk (back in the 1980s).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._or_video_game

Wikipedia FTW!

Vilaptca

Pre-Searing Vanquisher

Join Date: Jun 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

07 Apr 2006 at 17:46 - 68

We've all done this, or most of us have. Hey cool, I've reached a new areal, but its getting late. I'll just play a little longer because I heard there are some good drops here, and I just happen to have a Signet of Capture, maybe I can cap an Elite.

5 hours later. You've completely lost track of time. You have to wake up for work or class in 3 hours. Why didn't anyone tell me I was being stupid and staying up later than I should have?

There is absolutely nothing negative about this message. It is not insulting. Hi, you have been playing 8 hours, maybe you should consider taking a break. Yeah, you know what you're right, I should go take a break, thank you.

This message is so short and unnoticeable that I missed it the first five times it popped up. Those Hall of Heroes messages ARE annoying, they come what, every ten seconds? This is every hour. A whole hour. In that time, at least 20 Hall of Heroes messages will have popped up.

They aren't forcing you to take a break. If you don't want to take breaks every, thats fine. Ignore this. But as we can see from the articles popping up, some people do have problems knowing when to take a break. I'm sure you can handle a little message like that, if it is going to get those other people to take breaks.

I played at least 8 hours yesterday, I only noticed the 2 hour message, and that was because I was looking for it.

Jessyi

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mo/

07 Apr 2006 at 18:56 - 69

Ok...Ok...I'll reclarify one more time (my last post on this topic I swear)

Do I have an objection to the existence of this feature in it's entirety? No. If people WANT a reminder because they're afraid of being distracted into playing for another 5 hours, thus missing the big exam/job interview/birth of thier first born son...then good, they now have an in-game timer available. I know how horribly strenuous it is to look at your wall clock or watch if you want to know what time it is.

I'm not saying this feature should be removed, merely that it should be OPTIONAL. Just the fact that it's been as controversial as it has been should be enough cause to add a toggle for it.

This way, everyone wins. ANet covers it's butt by adding the feature (we can not be responsible for people who turn it off) and people who want/need it have it available. What's wrong with that?

I'm signing this petition the only way I should:

/signed until my pen runs out of ink

-Jessyi

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

07 Apr 2006 at 19:35 - 70

/Not Signed

I can ignore it easily, just like X has won Hoh blah blah
And it helps me keep track of time.

striderkaaru

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Retired Officer

W/

07 Apr 2006 at 19:54 - 71

you have been on the forums for 1 hour. please take a break.

jackie

/retired

Join Date: Dec 2005

On the Beach

07 Apr 2006 at 19:55 - 72

I find the message rather hilarious. It reminds me that I haven't played enough. ^_^

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

07 Apr 2006 at 20:05 - 73

They should have a message like "You've been playing for 5 hours. Do you know where your children are?" lol

"You've been playing for 24 hours. Seriously dude, get a life!"

"You've been playing for 48 hours. Isnt your computer over heating yet?"

Ninetail Trickster

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

A pleasant place that needs more rain. T_T

The Rose Society

07 Apr 2006 at 20:20 - 74

I saw the one-hour warning for the first time last night. I didn't even know it existed... guild/town chat usually blocks it out. >_<
As a time-tracker, it works great.
As a deterrent, it fails.
If they want us to actually slow down, they need to start slowly nerfing your characters after a certain time. I know they've employed this in China for quite a while, but I daren't say more than that lest their internet censors of doom come assassinate me. >_>;

But seriously, it's fine how it is. I rarely check the clock while playing. It lets me pretend I know what's going on in reality. All else I pay attention to in the real world is politics...

Dat Nut

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2006

SoCal

W/Rt

07 Apr 2006 at 21:38 - 75

I am absolutly amazed that people are complaining about a 1 line message that pops up ONCE an hour.

I bet if we did an age check on the people complaining they would all have to be inside when the street lights come on.

Sadly in Amercia I could see someone dying from playing a game too long and that persons family blaming the people who made the game, like it was their fault someone was too stupid to take a break. Anet is just being smart and covering their butt. Too me thats a smart move.

I mean geez, how uptight are are these people that they get upset by a message that pops up once an hour. Take a chill pill, smoke a bowl, do something...

Rikimaru

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

R/

09 Apr 2006 at 15:57 - 76

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayea

well i dont mind the little thing..i even went looking through my text to see if i had one..and wow, i did

but it took some looking for it...

i like it because i can now tell how many hours i have been playing, cause sometimes it feels like i have only been sitting theres for half an hour, sometimes it feels like 2 or 3 or more. knowing its acutally only been a hour when it felt like 3 is good.

i agree that you should be able to turn off the HoH win messages, especailly if your in pve.....
i also would like a /fav? commant to let me know which side currently has the favour if i have the hoh messages truned off....
to me, that would be more usefull....
along with a small button on the main GW website frontpage that asks...
'who has the Favour right now? *click* currently, <name of side> has the favour'
that would alow folks to keep an eye on whi is winning, even if their at work, so they can just click it and find out as they are geting ready to go home ^^
(sure, they would have to check again befor going in once they are redy to play, but its faster than logging in, porting to the right place then finding out you cant go in lol)

You should be careful with that, it could really have been 2-3 hours; the timer starts over every time you log out, even just to switch characters.

Rancour

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Camp Rancor (Rancour :D)

I'm a free spirit (that's not what the guild is called, I just am)

W/R

09 Apr 2006 at 16:53 - 77

^ That's what happens to me.

I've never actually gotten the six hour wake up call, simply because I constantly either change characters or log of to have something to eat or something else. I've tried playing 4-6 hours a day, but I take breaks all the time.

zamial

Site Contributor

Join Date: Apr 2006

Usa

TKC

N/

09 Apr 2006 at 20:18 - 78

why build areas in the game that take 3 hours to play(fow)if you want me to break 1 time an hour it seems kinda dumb......

wouldnt a clock stamp do the same thing with less annoyance????

Cjlr

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

SMS

E/Me

09 Apr 2006 at 20:43 - 79

I don't see what the problem is.

Can you keep playing? Yes. Then why do you care again?

Or maybe, at 24 hours or something, a giant hand can come out from your monitor and slap you across the face, saying loudly "Go outside, stupid!"

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

09 Apr 2006 at 20:46 - 80

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamial

why build areas in the game that take 3 hours to play(fow)if you want me to break 1 time an hour it seems kinda dumb......

wouldnt a clock stamp do the same thing with less annoyance????

It doesnt tell you to take a break until 3 hours. Even so they are not actually telling you to do anything. They are just letting you know in case you have forgotten to look at the clock.

It really is a good idea to stretch for a few mintues every hour or so and give your eyes a break from the computer screen. But it doesnt mean you have to.