Little teeny tiny suggestions:

Pathing:
I can handle not being able to run down a cliff, but when that invisible snare line hits me in the wilds of Maguuma, on an ice flow in the south Shiverpeaks, or inside a mursaat stronghold, we have problems.

Generally speaking, many skilled players use a "pull" technique, where they will attempt to retrieve a single or small group of foes from a much larger group.
I can understand where an invisible pathing obstacle might provide some merriment and fun for observers, but since the zones are instanced, this is a waste of time. Is this something we could report with specific locations to get resolved?

Zone spam:
please tell us you are working on this.
I have not enabled chat or trade in weeks - its simply an invitation to be disgusted, revolted, and angry all at once. Apparently every sexual deviant that has been banned from other games now resides in yours. Simply enable "chat" for an overwhelming mountain of proof.

Kick function:
Give groups an option to remove unruly players at ANY TIME.
The ones wailing about how it will be abused are the same ones who are typically doing the violating. Go figure...!

Enhanced NPC controls:
How about a deadly "Alesia, plant your arse right here." control? Or the AI to direct Stefan or Little thorn to target and not have them change immediately the moment you select and engage another?
Another that would be popular is called DISENGAGE: You ran into a angry anthill of foes, and fleeing is now the only recourse (other than dying) You run, and voila~! half the NPC team stays behind to valiantly perish in what is already an obviously hopeless battle.
Example? How about some of the little sorties wandering between the South and North Shiverpeaks?

Compass controls:
Make PUG's fun again - by limiting the amount of abuse the "socially challenged" can inflict on the unwary and trusting group members. Give us some sort of compass control that allows for either one person to make the notations, or colors so each player can be noted.

Player policing tools:
You have lots of really bad players in your game. I don't mean "They are not of the uber skill school," but rather, these are active violators of your EULA and many who should be banned on the spot are still active, exploiting, scamming, griefing, etc.
If you don't want to actively police your game from within it, give us townsfolk a sheriff or at least a six shooter to run off the varmints that currently infest town!

There has been a suggestion to put signs on violators with their violations evident for all to see within the game. This is a great idea - you are not preventing them from "enjoying" the game, and at the same time allowing everyone else easy verification of a EULA violator - group at your own risk.

Characters slots:
Consider expanding this to at least allow us to have one character of each primary class is possible. Especially for PvP, we want to experiment with team builds. The whole unlocking/revising process gets boggled up when you have to delete an existing character and begin over in order to try something new.

Paying for it all:
Programming, implementing, and designing all these issues takes time and money. You have stated "Guild Wars will never institute a monthly fee."
Fine.
Offer "optional content" online for a modest fee, put these enhancements in an expansion, or offer smaller "adventure packs" for a fee that can be streamed into the existing game.

Your game is still free online, and you now have the venture and operating capital to accomplish greater things. Have at it.

Talesin

I completely agree with every thing you say in this message. Although, I am skeptical about how the paying for it all idea would work.

Totally agreeed.

In terms of the payment, also agreed. I'd rather pay cash for a good game. The thing with [as an example] WoW (and paying) is at least those "corperate SOB's" can deliver you a full, good game.

Not saying GW sucks (definently not), but it's having trouble getting it's results. They've spent too much time making PvE totally useless (so you're down to PvP - half the game) and not working on the mechanics of the game. Invisible walls, getting stuck, exploits, lag issues, matchup sytems (yeah, what system? my point.), total skill balance, intra-comunications (a friend's list less advanced then Bnet's .. with the creator of Bnet making this game), GUILD SUPPORT (it's called GUILD Wars). There's a ton of basic mechanics of this game that don't seem to be adressed.

In all honestly, I don't give anything about "The Furnace" or any of that jazz. I want a perfect PvP game, since that's what this game is. You can't nerf Pve to hell then only add PvE elements.

Having optional online content that you could pay for... I wouldn't be too pleased with that.

Since it is a game about skill, any optional content would in no way be able to make a character any better than another so what would this extra content do? It wouldn't be fair for those who don't want to pay an extra fee to lag behind the rest. Thus this bonus content would be lacking and making those who pay for it go "what this is it?". Sorrow's Furnace and Grenth's Footsteps should be good enough, just wait a few weeks.

Also, as everything online, I can assume it would require a credit card to pay for this extra content. I do not have a credit card, nor do my parents. My financially situation/decisions shouldn't come into question for a few extra perks in a video game.

I have no problem buying an expansion from a store, but not having to pay online in any way, shape or form is among the reasons I purchased this game.

Optional content would be new dungeons and lands to explore. New PvE storylines, and of course new equipment and possibly races.
Anyone not purchasing the "optional" content would not be at any disadvantage regarding combat, but would not have available to them the new armors, weapon models, etc.

And for those who cannot purchase online, the optional content could always be made available in a forthcoming expansion.
having the ability to purchase it online would simply make it available sooner for those inclined.

You think nobody would want to do this? Think again.
This game (and all others) are about having a unique look that no one else has. Players would purchase online content if it was nothing more than new faces, armor or weapon textures.

I totally agree in that people like to look Unique. Purchasing online content would be cool because for those who like PvE or "liked it" would have areas to look foreward to rather then seeing PvP changes that have to affect on them what so ever. On the other hand I also see how people without a creditcard would have trouble paying for online stuff unless GW allowed people to use Paypal to buy things which can be directly connected to a bank.

Everyone would have to have access to these new items whether they paid for them or not. IF you group with someone who is of a new race, what exactly are you going to see, just a block?

Not at all Kuku, in EQ they did this, and you simply saw the default human "skin" if you didn't have the optional content available. It worked fine.

Secondly, I am not proposing in any way new equipment that is "superior" to anything currently existing; merely new "looks."
Variety is the spice of life as they say.

NPC control thing is a great idea. They have it in so many other games but they are much less uselful. In GW though it would work great.

I'm pretty sure ANet would avoid any pay service at all costs, because isn't that the reason why they made GW in the first place? They splintered off from Blizzard because of the WoW payments...or is this just a rumor?

Instead of making unique looking items purchasable, have them winable through tournaments or something fun like that.

IMO, Anet is the true Blizzard. That's why I followed them to GW. That's why I expect better results. I can tell you know GW won't be played for 7 years (SC) or have people still addicted enough to play it hardcore even when it's done (D2). I know a multitude of people, myself included, who are already growing tired of the game.

As it stands right now, GW is a great secondary game. It just doesn't have the meat to keep a primary player occupied. When I play GW primarily I feel like I'm always missing out on something. Everyone I talk to has that feeling in some degree. Also, everyone I talk to LOVES Anet. The only problem is our favourate company is having trouble delivering the true game we want.

I might be wrong, but aren't those who created Anet are the ones who created Battlenet. There's a difference between this and the design and creation of an entire game. I still agree with all the points in the OP, but don't blame the entire team because of the reputation of some of the employees. I think they are doing a great job so far, and more features and content is coming. All that stuff will probably be solved, but you can't expect it right away. Just be patient.

Let me clearify:

Basically all the people who made Blizzard great are working at Anet now, so it's not abnormal to expect that same trend. Guild Wars is losing out on those simple things (past the couple basic flaws), all those little extras the bigger companies are able to through in.

Now, if they allowed mods to the game (WoW is the prime example, check out how jacked up the UI can get) that'd compensate for the tactical details. They don't though, and that's a big problem.

EDIT :: I have the patience to type up that Guild Support posting, with major factors explaining why there's unrest, then watch it get pushed to the bottum of the forum from all the "omfg hax !! nerf nerf!!1one!" posts. I'm also still here trying to post things that will remedy the situations, like clearifying a misinterpitation of the overhead post.

OP apparently never played WoW... Guild Wars is a blessing after playing that game...

please, if you got money to spend on online games, doesnt mean that we do too. I bought the game because of the lack of a monthly fee, and I would feel left out if they charged a monthly fee for more content. I'm sure a lot of other people couldn't spend the extra money on a monthly fee either.

I like your suggestions, OP. As in a Bonus pack or expansion pack to pay for the server and development costs, I would like to see Enhanced Skins and Armors for those that wish to pay for it so those with higher end computers can enjoy the game to its graphical potential. I don't care what other people see my character as, but I would like the game to be as highly detailed as possible for my end.

They could possibly release a Sub-collector's edition with the artbook and an "Aura Key" which many Newbs would pay for just to have the aura. They already have the game but maybe they want that aura and don't want to drop another $80 for the aura on a different account. Say $20-25 just to cover the costs of the book and the packaging.

New areas would be nice. I don't care if it includes new towns or what not, but if it were to include a new town, the easiest way to do this would be to add an altar out in the wilderness where each person with the Expansion donates X amount of gold to be taken to the new town that is not connected to any of the previous areas. This way only if you have the expansion and the gold, 1k-2k, can you get to this new place. The whole party is not transported and it would be a per person, "are you sure you want to leave the group?", thing.

They could even bestow GMs to fansite mods or extremely dedicated, screened players. Make them be watched by ANet for awhile, selected, and then notified about being selected to be a GM. This way, the players true nature is shown before confronted about possible GM advancement status. "Character is when no one is watching."

Excellent EXCELLENT post. Please note these suggestions, ANet!

Finally somebody sums all the great suggestions up in one post.
I agree with all of the improvements.

One thing added:
We have 4 weapon sets.
Why not have skill sets?
Depending on the terrain, mission etc. or depending on PvP or PvE you need different skills.
It usually takes a long time to skim through the skill-list to get the skills you want.

I agree with all but the last, like i stated before a thousand times, no game, and i mean NO game is worth a monthly fee plain and simple... yes i understand you say its optional if you want to pay more to get more, but i think they already have that, Deluxe pack and soon to come expansion pack, Anet already said it is a non-fee game, and if they went back on their word their gamers would not be too happy, if you really feel like giving aways money i hear there are starving kids in Africa, you should look into donations

as for the ones i agree with, the pathing, Compass, and NPC stand out the most, i become rather frustrated when i take a path that i find out is blocked by a 2 foot slope my all powerful dragon slaying, wordsaving hero is too afraid to go down...

and ive heard that NPCs have been boosted in the IQ department, yet im still not seeing anything, well the healing is a little better, and they never get stuck, but i mean battle wise, it may take the mythbusters to find out if this is actualy true...

and the compass, it doesnt take bill nye the science guy to tell you that the chemical reaction for 13 year old kid and Compass = lame drawings on map

so aside from the payments i agree with everything said

Hey, having skillsets are a good idea. It would be easy to save them client side. It would be beyond great if we could save our own titles/descriptions on skillsets, be able to save them and send them...mm...I can dream can't I?

What about removing the whole Favor of the Gods nonsense, so that the players in Europe can actually experience the content that is already in the game?

I've said it once and I'll say it again, this game is not primary PvP, it never has been it never will be, its all about a balance between PvE and PvP.

You may not care, but some of us do.

I actually love PvE ... but this game doesn't have clearly enough of it. Play D2 or WoW and you'll realize that there's only half a game here. I'd love more PvE, but I'd also love for compititive PvP to be kept to high standards. And to counter what you just said, some people care about PvP and not just PvE :/ There's not much to work to in PvE in this game, I know people who taped out their account in PvE very quickly, did some PvP then left. There's just not enough meat on this game to keep people here - that's a fact as there's a solid percentage of people getting bored of the game. The Furnace is an awesome thing, but if it comes ahead of fixing game flaws something is wrong. You can't blindly favour PvE or PvP, you need to see it all. I do, and that's why I see a need for fixing the mechanics - do you think the horrible pathing effects just PvP?

About marking violators: who decides when someone has violated the EULA? Does the whole party vote, or does the party leader mark the player for official Arenanet review, or what?

My problem is: what if I join a PUG and I'm a little off my game? Say I'm late with my res signet. So I get kicked (a new power that's been suggested here - fine with me.) Then I get back into town and find that the party has voted to have me marked as a griefer! No more PUGs for me.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea. I'm just wondering how it should be implemented.

Yes, I agree with Ascension in that PvE needs a bit more meat. In part, that means greater character development and customization. Now many may say "this is not the game for you, play WoW", but I think WoW is the other extreme where Blizzard has mesmerized now 3.5 million gamers worldwide. Most of the people I know who play WoW, incorporate it as part of their daily routine. It is a priority for them, whether they like to admit it or not. And, they will end up keeping their account for years and years to come because they've invested way too much time and energy on their character to just delete it and get on with life once more.

Also, I agree that some of the game mechanics need to be revamped and pathing effects need to be "relaxed".

After many hours of play, I still haven't ascended, so I'm enjoying the game immensely. I would like to see myself playing this game for years and years to come, but I do think a lot will have to do with deepening the PvE and roleplaying through greater character development.

Very good suggestions

Baldur's Gate II had better NPC control than NPC control in Guild Wars, you could indivually select each NPC and tell them to do different things. They even had different AI scripts that could be run (different attack and defend situations).

At the very least, I would like to be able to give commands to NPC's, during a battle. I.E. Thom and Stefan continue attacking while I hex a different enemy and not start attacking the enemy I am hexing.

A big problem that plagues me and my groups is getting booted in the middle of missions. Not everyone has high-end computers/super fast internet that keeps them from getting booted. So a way to remedy this would be to simply allow the person who was disconnected from the server to reconnect and rejoin the team in mission. I understand the problems associated with this.. i.e.rushing people through missions when their not even there... but surely there must be some way to keep me and my party from staring over when both of our monks get booted off the system.

What if when someone leaves a mission,you have an option to replace them with a henchie?

that would be an improvement over the current state of things. Just so you guys know there is an entire post about this I just found at http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=35544

Two misconceptions I keep seeing in these posts:
Apologies in advance, #2 is a pet peeve with me.

1.) Paying for it all:
I'm not in favor of a monthly fee. I'm stating, add content on an optional basis that can be paid for online. For those who cannot purchase online, include this content in a later expansion that may be purchased normally at a local software store.

2.) Cost and RL feasibility:
There are really only 2 types of customers in this world; those that want everything for free, and those that are willing to pay a price for quality.
I'm firmly in the latter category.

How many here complain that they can't afford a modest fee of $5-$7 for a online enhancement and then promptly go to a fast food restaurant or order pizza?
"but I like McDonalds..."
So give your fat azz a day off from McDonalds and there's your cash for the enhancement.
Problem solved.
Likewise, the tired tirade of "I can't possibly afford anything else. . . oh btw my second account allows me to. . ."wtf ???

Yet you could afford a computer?
a IP connection?
electricity?
a home to house it in?
Please. Go try that excuse somewhere else.
(for those of you living at home and under the age of 15 I apologize - for the rest - get off your ass and get a job.)

Priorities can be so bothersome, can't they?
If your costs are so tight you can't afford ANY other enhancement to this game, I suggest a serious introspection of you finances - why are you wasting money on this game? RL should always come first - not as a side effect of online time.

I had a really lousy computer, and went out and spent a mint on a new one that would run EQ2 flawlessly (which most computers struggle to run period)
I can run GW with everything at max without so much as a flutter or pause, and I'd love to see more quality options in this beautiful game.

I am glad that it was designed to run on lower end systems so we can all play, but if you have the horsepower, give us the option to really max out the graphics options and whatnot.