Summer Update = Top Secret Agenda???

DarkElfLusipher

DarkElfLusipher

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

Inner Sactum of Hell

Black Flag Evincars

R/

Okay so I'm just wondering but is anyone else out there getting quite annoyed of there being no set date on the release of this "Summer Update"? I've been playing GW since they first stuck the beta pre-order packs on the shelf, as I know alot of us have, and there has never truly been any issue with them doing updates in a timely/positive fashion but it seems that they might have gotten everyone far too psyched up about this event by putting it in the news section WAY too early. I don't really feel that this a decent way to do things, you know the whole "keep it secret until the last minute" thing, and it's not going to help keep the population in the game because there is never any specifics on what they are planning to address anymore. Don't get me wrong here, I love this game and I'm not looking to give it up but I can't even begin to tell you how many people I talk to that had/have high hopes of seeing some possible raise in the level cap because they are currently getting a little tired of have nothing to work towards anymore. You log in everyday and how many people that you've been talking with on a casual basis are now all level 20 and are thinking of starting an alt just to actually do something again? I just think that NCSoft needs to try and do something serious to get players to a point where they feel like they are moving forward again and not just waiting for the "Summer Update" just to go and cycle thier levels a few more times. Sorry for the long post but I'm speaking for alot more than myself from what I've been hearing and I just wanted to see if there are more players feeling like this?

Aniewiel

Aniewiel

Smite Mistress

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Land of AZ, USA

Rt/E

Every gaming company does things this way. That's why release dates change constantly until the magic "gone gold" is applied to a game. Blizzard NEVER released patch dates until the day they came out (including last Friday's). Everyone knows these things are coming but it is VERY common for devs to say "when it's ready".

No real mystery. It's industry practice.

Vorlin

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2005

The thing is, there is really no way at all to tell when a coding project will be finish. Every projected release date is a completely made up date, it might happen, but that would just be dumb luck. The truth is, they have no way at all of knowing when the update will be ready. Smart companies know this and never talk about release dates because it just causes bad feelings when they are inevitably missed.

Bad companies give a release date, then release buggy unfinished software to make the date, causing even worse feelings. Anyone who's ever bough a game near Christmas has to have noticed what a bugfest games are released near that time.

Software programming is an art (a very technical art, but still an art), and art just can't be produced on deadline, no matter how much a deadline is desired.

Branskins

Branskins

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2005

ArenaNet is fairly new in terms of a company. The people that make up the company are not new to the gaming industry however. It may take a while for ArenaNet to adjust and change with its community. Maybe they will open up more and give details more freely in the future. For now they are still learning how the community reacts to certain things, and what the community likes to do the most.

LifeInfusion

LifeInfusion

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

in the midline

E/Mo

I've decided since they said it's summer, it must be Summer 2006.

Racthoh

Racthoh

Did I hear 7 heroes?

Join Date: May 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Guild Leader (Not Recruiting)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aniewiel
Every gaming company does things this way. That's why release dates change constantly until the magic "gone gold" is applied to a game. Blizzard NEVER released patch dates until the day they came out (including last Friday's). Everyone knows these things are coming but it is VERY common for devs to say "when it's ready".

No real mystery. It's industry practice.
Too bad everyone hated the 1.11 patch that they just released.

The game is free, they promised a summer update, it's still summer. If the defining point in your life is an update to a video game with minor changes that may not even affect you... I'd take a long look at your life and double check your aspirations.

Plus I also bet when they do release it... there will be at least one person saying how displeased they were with it.

Lasareth

Lasareth

Aquarius

Join Date: Jun 2005

Somewhere between Boardwalk and Park Place

Quote:
Originally Posted by Racthoh
Too bad everyone hated the 1.11 patch that they just released.

The game is free, they promised a summer update, it's still summer. If the defining point in your life is an update to a video game with minor changes that may not even affect you... I'd take a long look at your life and double check your aspirations.
Lazy summers. I can think of a large demographic that would look forward to the update simply as a change of pace. Plus school is starting soon. I would like the update before my life is busy again (2nd year engineering major)

Algren Cole

Algren Cole

Banned

Join Date: Jun 2005

the community that is eagerly awaiting the summer update is largely comprised of children/young adults still in school....they've got their hopes up for a release date that will coincide with hours upon hours of guiltless play due to a lack of anything important to do....and as that time gets shorter and shorter you're going to start to hear an outcry from this demographic. The reality of it is that life doesn't just stop during the summer(for the rest of the world), which makes it easier for the adults and the young adults that aren't currently engaged in schooling(and even those that are doing both...damn overachievers) to deal with release dates being pushed back...it doesn't affect our schedule at all. I understand where the first demographic is coming from...I envy the lazy days of summer just waiting for something to do, but you can't rush an update. I'd rather it be complete and late than on time and buggy.

as far as bumping the level cap...I sure hope they don't.

Anomaly

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2005

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lasareth
Lazy summers. I can think of a large demographic that would look forward to the update simply as a change of pace. Plus school is starting soon. I would like the update before my life is busy again (2nd year engineering major)

No worries, engineering is easy.


I'm not really worried about a change. Whenever they release the new stuff or what not, is when they release it. I can certainly do something else until then. Being that there isn't a monthly fee, it really doesn't bother me at all.

Ripper_Roo

Ripper_Roo

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2005

Me/W

hopefully they DO bump up the lvl cap. i heard iz comin out in NOV.- but theyll probably push back the release date---also heard rumers of different races ( like W.O.W.)- maybe get 2 play as charr or undead---excited but i want it CHEAP---ill just buy from my fiend 4 half $

TideSwayer

TideSwayer

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

We Farm Your [?????????s]

What concerns me is that the only thing we hear about the summer update is that there will be "new explorable zones for players". Ummm, okay. Care to go into specifics? New towns? New outposts? New missions? Ascended content? Pre-ascended content? Any new items/weapons? Any new skills? (even a miniscule amount is better than nothing) Any significant changes to existing gameplay that are going into this update?

Throw us a freaking bone here. All I know is that there are going to be areas with dwarves in them, and because of the Name the Boss contest there is going to be a bunch of bosses in them too. Since the only updates that have been made to GW in a few weeks have been bugfixes I'm assuming that any extra things they've implemented for normal gameplay (tweaks which usually have been given to us in patches up until recently) are going into this update as well. But I really have no idea.

Oh, I also know that it will be out before Chapter 2.

Ripper_Roo

Ripper_Roo

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2005

Me/W

ther wont b a monthly fee, 100% sure.

dog13000

dog13000

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

Illinois

W/Mo

I am PREETY sure that the technical end of Summer is September 22, 2005. So the way i see it... from now they have what? about 43 days...

...my bet is Wednesday September 21, 2005

IGN- crucion star

Sereng Amaranth

Sereng Amaranth

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Amazon Basin [AB]

Please, dont say the words 'raise the level cap' anymore. This is not Grind Wars. If they raised it to 30, then when you get there, will you yell about not having 40 levels? Sorry, but I have a ranger that ascended in week 2 after release. I'm still finding new builds for him.

Ultimate_Gaara

Ultimate_Gaara

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

BC, Canada.. how aboot that eh?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Racthoh

Plus I also bet when they do release it... there will be at least one person saying how displeased they were with it.
That is going to be the worst part, seeing 300 theads called " I waited all summer for this?"... ill be happy with whatever we get


Quote:
Originally Posted by Sereng Amaranth
Please, dont say the words 'raise the level cap' anymore. This is not Grind Wars. If they raised it to 30, then when you get there, will you yell about not having 40 levels? Sorry, but I have a ranger that ascended in week 2 after release. I'm still finding new builds for him.
Ya of course its not Grind Wars, everyone knows its Gold Wars...

Ashley Twig

Ashley Twig

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

germany

Guild Of Openhearted Deeds

R/Mo

Everybody seems to be expecting so much from the summer update. And aNet (PR) already gave hints to what to expect.
The golden path to sucessful update anticipation always is: don't expect too much. Keep you hopes low.
If the update delivers more than you expected, you'll go: "Wow, cool update".
If you expect too much, and the update does not deliver all that, what you hoped for you will only go: "Rats, what the heck?"

Saerden

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeInfusion
I've decided since they said it's summer, it must be Summer 2006.
Did they give a exact decade? Stop whining, when they say its summer, it will be summer. Every company does this, and ANET does it even better.

/sarcasm off

Gaile Gray

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

Oh, you guys! We can't win for losing!

Somebody says, "Is there anything new coming up in the future?"

We say, "Well, yes, we're going to release Chapter 2 in the first half of 2006."

"Well," they ask, "what about something before that. Have you any such plans?"

"Sure, we have some cool stuff coming up this summer, as a matter of fact. Two new explorable areas with new quests, new monsters, and we think it'll be very fun!"

And from that, now, it's "You shouldn't have told us it was coming until the day before you released it?" Aw, now, that's just not fair!

This isn't a patch. This isn't an effort to balance things, or fix bugs, or close exploits, or repair errors in code, art, or storyline. This is brand new and spiffy content -- something fun you haven't done before, something we think you'll enjoy. So yeah, we wanted to share that it was coming, in part to give you something to look forward to, and in part because it's nice to share good news with friends. If when we mentioned it we were being meanies for letting the word out, well, hey, guess you'll have to deal with the anticipation!

Summer Update -- Coming this summer.

Imp

Imp

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

Novum Igneus [NI]

Rt/

*gets behind Gaile who is already like 5 billion miles away*

Yea! Now stop crying!

Makkert

Makkert

Black Beast of Aarrrrgghh

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

The Biggyverse [PLEB] // Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
Oh, you guys! We can't win for losing!

Somebody says, "Is there anything new coming up in the future?"

We say, "Well, yes, we're going to release Chapter 2 in the first half of 2006."

"Well," they ask, "what about something before that. Have you any such plans?"

"Sure, we have some cool stuff coming up this summer, as a matter of fact. Two new explorable areas with new quests, new monsters, and we think it'll be very fun!"

And from that, now, it's "You shouldn't have told us it was coming until the day before you released it?" Aw, now, that's just not fair!
I agree. We, the gamers, must drive you nuts from time to time. But the big line is: give us more information. as always. They want to know when it comes out, what comes out, what you look like in real life, if you give your washingmachine a name, etc. Its the ever going quest of getting that brandnew newsfact. Everyone loves news.
And the expectations are part of that. "What, the summerupdate isn't out yet this week? But when?"

Shadow_Avenger

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Stolen Dreams

R/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
Oh, you guys! We can't win for losing!

Somebody says, "Is there anything new coming up in the future?"

We say, "Well, yes, we're going to release Chapter 2 in the first half of 2006."

"Well," they ask, "what about something before that. Have you any such plans?"

"Sure, we have some cool stuff coming up this summer, as a matter of fact. Two new explorable areas with new quests, new monsters, and we think it'll be very fun!"

And from that, now, it's "You shouldn't have told us it was coming until the day before you released it?" Aw, now, that's just not fair!

This isn't a patch. This isn't an effort to balance things, or fix bugs, or close exploits, or repair errors in code, art, or storyline. This is brand new and spiffy content -- something fun you haven't done before, something we think you'll enjoy. So yeah, we wanted to share that it was coming, in part to give you something to look forward to, and in part because it's nice to share good news with friends. If when we mentioned it we were being meanies for letting the word out, well, hey, guess you'll have to deal with the anticipation!

Summer Update -- Coming this summer.
Well it better be quick, lets see first half , 12 monoths / 2 = 6 months hence DUE date was June, It is now August, hmm Autum starts in september.
So in effect we are in the Q3 and no release info in sight.
In less than 3 weeks it will be autum, then it will nolonger be a summer update.
The point is If you would have stated Q3 or Autum update due to final tweaking to ensure it is right for release, then fine. But you state:

We say, "Well, yes, we're going to release Chapter 2 in the first half of 2006."

Talk about standing in the line of sight on a firing range.
The public are a demending bunch. If A.net would have stated Q3 of Autum release, it would have been end of story, maybe a few moaning that the can't wait till Autum for the Autum expansion. Then if it was actually released dueing the summer, everyone would have been singing their praises.

BellyFlop

BellyFlop

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

i may be wrong but i got a felling that the called "Summer Update" is going to be out next week's 19 or even 26, and the felling is because Dungeon Siege II as been delay and it not comming out this week...

but again it may have nothing to do with it...

Alex Weekes

Alex Weekes

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

Brighton, UK

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadow_Avenger
Well it better be quick, lets see first half , 12 monoths / 2 = 6 months hence DUE date was June, It is now August, hmm Autum starts in september.
So in effect we are in the Q3 and no release info in sight.
In less than 3 weeks it will be autum, then it will nolonger be a summer update.
The point is If you would have stated Q3 or Autum update due to final tweaking to ensure it is right for release, then fine. But you state:

We say, "Well, yes, we're going to release Chapter 2 in the first half of 2006."

Talk about standing in the line of sight on a firing range.
The public are a demending bunch. If A.net would have stated Q3 of Autum release, it would have been end of story, maybe a few moaning that the can't wait till Autum for the Autum expansion. Then if it was actually released dueing the summer, everyone would have been singing their praises.
*ahem* Chapter 2 in first half 2006. Since we're still in 2005, it's not late.

Summer Update will be released this summer. It's not far away, our alpha testers are having a lot of fun testing and experiencing the new material and giving us a lot of feedback.

Neither are late .

Tactical-Dillusions

Tactical-Dillusions

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Grimsby, UK

R/

I don't mind waiting until it's ready. Bugs are nasty indeed.
My girlfriend is in town this very moment to purchase another copy of the game so i can have more slots.
Then i am going to collect tonnes of materials as a wacky project and sell it all off again when i run out of room.

Request quote, sell, request quote, sell, apply thimble on sore finger, request quote, sell....

Ashley Twig

Ashley Twig

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

germany

Guild Of Openhearted Deeds

R/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Weekes
Summer Update will be released this summer. It's not far away, our alpha testers are having a lot of fun testing and experiencing the new material and giving us a lot of feedback.
Neither are late .
Hm, "summer update".

I think most people here defined "summer update" as something they can enjoy over the summer. So they expected it quite early.

Your definition of "summer update" is a bit different. That's probably, where the confusion is coming from.

A "summer hit" e.g. is a hit released "pre-summer"/"early summer" and enjoyed during summer.

burai

burai

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Fishermen's Haven

W/

Excitable bunch aren't we!

You should use the UK as your summer-time model. We completely bypassed summer this year and are going straight from spring to autumn instead (much like last year). So now you can expect the summer update much earlier than you thought. If we miss out summer next year too, then it will be released even earlier

I must admit I'm getting quite excited too!

funbun

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

I forget. Really. I don't know.

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sereng Amaranth
Please, dont say the words 'raise the level cap' anymore. This is not Grind Wars. If they raised it to 30, then when you get there, will you yell about not having 40 levels? Sorry, but I have a ranger that ascended in week 2 after release. I'm still finding new builds for him.

Guild Wars does have grind. It's called PvP. Also, how is my monk supposed to buy 75k sup runes? 4 runes @ 75k = 300k. There is no grind? Think again.

But you are right about the builds. These characters are very customizable.

Mr. Matt

Mr. Matt

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

R/Mo

ANet is under no obligation to release any details to you. They didn't even have to tell you that there was a summer update in progress in the first place. If nothing else, it's not in their best interests to tell you the specifics.

Setting a date weeks in advance, for example, would have been foolhardy. Firstly, if any problems had arisen with the update before release, it could either have pushed them back, thus causing even more people to call them 'liars', or forced them to release a sub-standard update full of bugs just to meet the deadline they had lead everyone to expect. Neither is good for the community or the company, so they don't give an exact date.

Telling everybody the exact specifics about any updates won't help them any more than giving dates either. People start expecting things that they might not get with things like this. Imagine what they'd be saying if ANet had specifically told everybody every intricate detail of their patch, and THEN people didn't get what they expected? If nothing else, giving it a sense of mystery gets more people to follow its progress and stick with the game to find out what's in it.

As for your level 20 comment, ANet has repeatedly stated that they won't be increasing the level cap. So going on about that serves no purpose.

burai

burai

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Fishermen's Haven

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Matt
As for your level 20 comment, ANet has repeatedly stated that they won't be increasing the level cap. So going on about that serves no purpose.
Other than to voice an opinon of course. But then they should be using some kind of forum for that ...

Ashley Twig

Ashley Twig

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

germany

Guild Of Openhearted Deeds

R/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Matt
...thus causing even more people to call them 'liars', ...
I think that refers to something I wrote on this thread, so I might do some explaining, why I wrote it.

I just wanted to point out that loving the game, and loving the company, responsible for it, can be two completely different things.

And my reference about aNet lying about something was not linked to the summer-update, but to a public statement on yet another thread by a single aNet-member.

As I posted on this or some other thread: I keep my expectations for the summer-update rather low. That gives me a better chance to be blown away by the update, as soon as it arrives.
Expecting too much from the update will only increase the chances of being disappointed.

Old Dood

Old Dood

Middle-Age-Man

Join Date: May 2005

Lansing, Mi

W/Mo

Once again the Arena-Net people are Damned if they Do and Damned if the Don't!

If I had the customer service that Arena-Net has given us with my Cable,Cell Phone, Land Line Phone companies just think how great that would be.

They are doing their level best. What more can you ask of them? Sure they are not going to give us every stinkin' detail of these updates. Maybe they have changed. Maybe something else pops up and takes priority. Maybe people their are on vacation,sick,matunity leave,funeral leave,quit,fired, etc.

My Gawd we have real humans actually talking to us here. I do not get that from my Cable company. They NEVER tell me when I am getting this and that. I spend allot more money with them...that is for sure.

Anyways...I will wait. I rather they take their time and not rush into it. We do not need any "Leeeroys" developing this game.

And Gail said: "Spiffy" Can't fault a person that uses a great term like that.

Algren Cole

Algren Cole

Banned

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by funbun
Guild Wars does have grind. It's called PvP. Also, how is my monk supposed to buy 75k sup runes? 4 runes @ 75k = 300k. There is no grind? Think again.

But you are right about the builds. These characters are very customizable.

My Monk bought 5 superior runes in under 5 hours.....if it's taking you longer you may want to evaluate the way you play the game, because you're doing something wrong. There is very little grind in this game. Sure I've portalled into areas and killed the same 15-20 monsters over and over for an hour every once in a while.....but I hardly call that grind at all.

as far as I'm concerned it's still summber until September 22nd (the rest of the world agrees...I checked) so start bitching September 23rd

Epinephrine

Epinephrine

Master of Beasts

Join Date: Mar 2005

Ottawa, Canada

Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashley Twig
Keep you hopes low.
Wow, what a great motto. Must be fun when everything is exciting; look, the sun rose again this morning! I hoped it would, but I didn't want to hope too much. Makes it easier at a restaurant - you order something and if it is remotely edible it's a good day - you wouldn't want to aim for something tasty or nutritious, that might get you disappointed.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but really the idea of not expecting anything in order to be pleasantly surprised is a bit absurd. It may be a bit of reductio ad absurdum to make it sound like you should be pleased if you get anything to eat at a restaurant, but the point is there - frankly, a little disappointment in life won't kill you, and I'd rather have realistic expectations than try to fool myself into being giddy with crap.

sidepocket13

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

New England

Metallica Roadies

Mo/Me

first day of autumn, September 22nd 2005. therefore if the update streams through at 11:58pm on September 21st, this will still be a summer update. I dont understand how people get ticked because they assumed it would be earlier. yeah i want it now, but i dont think a.net has lied about it. not until 12:00am 9/22 anyway!

Aniewiel

Aniewiel

Smite Mistress

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Land of AZ, USA

Rt/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by sidepocket13
first day of autumn, September 22nd 2005. therefore if the update streams through at 11:58pm on September 21st, this will still be a summer update. I dont understand how people get ticked because they assumed it would be earlier. yeah i want it now, but i dont think a.net has lied about it. not until 12:00am 9/22 anyway!
*waves a smoking incense censor over sidepocket's head* Bless you, my child! I wondered when someone would say that!

As Old Warrior Dude said: Remember that these are living, breathing humans on the other end. They have joy, grief, happiness, sadness, frustration, elation, sickness, health, pain, sorrow....*gasps*....just like most of us! I know that I miss anticipated deadlines due to RL issues. Give them a little bit of slack.

Makkert

Makkert

Black Beast of Aarrrrgghh

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

The Biggyverse [PLEB] // Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

BTW:
the name 'summer update' did confuse some aussie players I talked to, since well. it is now winter with them ^^.

ManadartheHealer

ManadartheHealer

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Awaiting GW2

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aniewiel
...Remember that these are living, breathing humans on the other end. They have joy, grief, happiness, sadness, frustration, elation, sickness, health, pain, sorrow....
And, who knows, maybe they want to have a life outside of work as well. But, really, who would want something like that

I'm sure they are developing it at a good pace, and personally I think the update will come before the end of august

Loviatar

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Feb 2005



from anet on the level cap

note the no separate levels of content and for future chapters as well

Quote:
Guild Wars, in contrast, is based around your skill as a player. Our maximum level is twenty and you hit that very quickly, after about 20-30 hours of play. ,We call that 'The Point of Ascension'. Almost all of the content in the game and in the future Chapters is only available to Ascended characters, which means we don't have to worry about providing different levels of content. All the good stuff will be available to everyone. It's not our intent to force people onto the levelling up treadmill, so the level cap in Guild Wars is almost meaningless.

raven214

raven214

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

R/

For some reason I got it in my head that mid/late July would be a good time for the "summer" update. That being said, we still have more than a month left to summer, and I'd rather see it released late but good rather than on-time & buggy. I'm not hoping for too much - I'm sure it will be fun - I just hope they make some sort of change/fix to the economy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Algren Cole
My Monk bought 5 superior runes in under 5 hours.....if it's taking you longer you may want to evaluate the way you play the game, because you're doing something wrong. There is very little grind in this game. Sure I've portalled into areas and killed the same 15-20 monsters over and over for an hour every once in a while.....but I hardly call that grind at all.
Hope I'm not getting too off-topic, but what was the cost of those runes? Last time I checked, the most I can (dependably) make in an hour is around 4k.... I've seen some runes around 30k and above. So if I played the game straight for 7-8 hours, I could afford one. And that's assuming I'm playing with one of my ascended characters (I'm currently working on a mid level monk). And that's assuming I have no life (which I do, so 7-8 hours straight isn't really an option.. and is probably unhealthy anyways ).

MSecorsky

MSecorsky

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

So Cal

The Sinister Vanguard

Me/

I'm worried that they release the update too soon. Notice Gaile said the alpha testers... give 'em a bit to get it right.

Besides, my hydromancer isn't ready yet. Just got to Beacons. They can't release until he's ready.

Well, the ranger is ready, so there is that...