This is my opinion, I don't expect everyone to agree...but it is an opinion grounded in logic.

First off, the payment model. GW2 is buy-to-play, in other words...you purchase the box, and you can play it immediately and not worry about a monthly sub. WoW, on the otherhand, is pay-to-play. You have to buy the box and then pay a monthly subscription fee in order to play. I am not here to bash WoW or any other game, simply stating the facts. With the payment model GW2 is using, gamers can still play WoW (or any other sub based game), while playing GW2 and not feel any sense of financial obligation to play one or the other.

Second, and perhaps most importantly; GW2 is doing things quite a bit differently from what has been called, 'the WoW model'. When an MMO attempts to copy the WoW model the developer puts itself in a position of having to compete with WoW. No other developer up to this point has been able to employ the WoW model as well as Blizzard. Games that use that model are inevitably held up to the standard, which of course is WoW. So...for a game using the WoW model to be highly successful, it has to actually employ that model better than WoW does. Otherwise, those that are looking for that style of MMO are simply going to play the superior version. Which in many, many cases over the past several years has been WoW. This is why, in my opinion, you aren't going to beat Blizzard at their own game. This bring me to GW2. Because Anet is doing things so very differently from WoW, they are establishing their own place in the market. Gamers that want something different from WoW (which there are alot of) will likely flock to GW2 for those differences. They won't have to 'settle' for lack of options. In short, with the way Anet is developing GW2, it will be possible for WoW and GW2 to coexist without affecting eachothers playerbases. 

What remains to be seen is how players respond to these differences. In my mind, that will determine what happens to WoW and whether or not GW2 takes from its playerbase.

TL;DR - GW2 is targetting a different playerbase.

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

I think that WoW can coexist with GW2 for quite a time. I guess that all of hardcore Raiders (at least the ones that want 25-man raids and that all that stuff) will stick to WoW. Which, i think, is a good thing. Because, i find that elitist type of community pretty disgusting (dunno if spelled right).

PvP gear farmers will complain how the classes in GW2 are unbalanced etc. and they will go back to their ussual every-day PvP Arena grind.

However, as you said, GW2 will catter to people (me also, being one of them) who want to try something different.

What?

GW2 will compete against WoW, having different game mechanics, price models doesn't mean they are not competitors.

WoW's and GW2's potential playerbase overlap to a decent degree and not everyone will pay/play 2 games at once even

with a buy to play model.

Almost every  MMORGP will have to compete with WoW, thats not my opinion but a fact.

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

I heard that too, guess Im in the right place!

Its like Ive been saying all along, GW has always been about PvP, and WoW has never been about PvP, so we got 2 entirely different games.

For me, from what I can see in the videos and press, things I'd like to see in WoW (that are seen in the GW2 pre-beta buzz):

1.) dynamic zones
2.) organic questing
3.) active combat with things like active dodging, rolling, etc.
4.) targetless healing
5.) interactive skills (shooting arrows through another player's fire = fire arrows, for example)
6.) more emphasis on 5man dungeons as "tests of skill"
7.) more open world "events"
8.) a focus on the "world" instead of instances
9.) large scale "AV style" pvp
10.) less focus on "endgame" gear grinds.
11.) competitive obtective based pvp (instead of arena deathmatches).
12.) organic objectives in large scale pvp (build/defend that siege weapon) instead of carrying flags and huttballs.
13.) more compelling animations where what happens on the screen matters more than having a NASA styled UI
14.) Dropping the holy trinity is probably not viable in WoW, but I like how the way GW2 did it in that it seems to make gameplay look more dynamic (no more just stand in place and press a memorized button sequence).
15.) Not having "raids" as the premier content. I have nothing against raids per se, but raiding has essentially snuffed out the oxygen from the rest of the wow pve game.
16.) multi-tapping of resource nodes... no more ninjaing
17.) shared interests in pve... no more kill steals.
18.) organic encouragment to play together... hopefully no more artificial measures like LFD, LFR

The thing I wonder about regarding this whole "you can pay for a sub to this other game and play GW2 at the same time" mentality is that IF GW2 delivers everything it's promised, then why on earth would anyone pay to play a different game which offers less?

The perception of 'value for money' is likely to change if Anet pull this off. The amount of content you get for a single box price could even affect the whole gaming market. I certainly will be thinking "Is it still right to pay the same price for a game which offers me 20 hours of content when this one offers me months and at no extra cost?"

Seems to me then that this game could possibly (and hopefully) set the benchmark for value for money in games. If other consumers think the same way and wonder what they are getting for their money then maybe devs might actually be forced to deliver more content for the price, or maybe even reduce the price to make it even worth while.

It's a lofty pipe dream I know, but hey I'm entitled to my hopes. :p

WoW still has many years ahead of itself. Blizzard isn't sitting idly twiddling their thumbs letting such a massive cash cow drain away. Take EQ for example. They released an expansion Dec 2011. We can all agree that it's not the biggest mmo out there but the fact that it still has content update is a testament to just how much longevity a game can have even without the masive playerbase. The most important thing is that people want to play it.

OP has it right on the money though. Gw doesn't compete with wow because GW is not looking for subs. Now of course there are obviously going to be overlapping groups. Some people keep playing WoW with their friends, others enjoy the IP (I love the WarCraft IP, its the system that let me down), some who are looking for something a little different can spend their next game purchase to try Gw2 instead of some gimmicky new fps/console game and still keep their investment alive in WoW.

As an ex WoW player I can say I am interested in pandaria solely for the idea of things to do outside of raiding. The pokemon game for example will promote travel/exploration/social interaction and questing (possibly going back to find pets) once again. That IS a good and exciting idea. However I don't feel it has enough new ideas to warrant my full attention.

My gripe with it is that I would have to pay another box price to play it then subsequently pay until they release the raids which should already be on new continent. When I buy an expansion I expect the expansion content. Not 5 months of paying so I can access content I have already paid for.

Originally posted by Adalwulff

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

 

I heard that too, guess Im in the right place!

Its like Ive been saying all along, GW has always been about PvP, and WoW has never been about PvP, so we got 2 entirely different games.

How has WoW never been about PvP??   They have more PvP specific game play options than any other MMO on the market along with competitive PvP tournaments held annually by Blizzard.

People say some wacky stuff on these forums.

Originally posted by Mythios11

Originally posted by Adalwulff

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

 

I heard that too, guess Im in the right place!

Its like Ive been saying all along, GW has always been about PvP, and WoW has never been about PvP, so we got 2 entirely different games.

How has WoW never been about PvP??   They have more PvP specific game play options than any other MMO on the market along with competitive PvP tournaments held annually by Blizzard.

 

People say some wacky stuff on these forums.

I wouldn't bother asking tbh. Adalwulff seems to have a problem with making claims and then not being prepared to back them up with proof when asked.

I haven't played WOW, nor other P2P MMO for some time now and i don't see how they could coexist. If GW2 gives me everything and more why would i pay 15$ for a less than average MMO. 

  When GW2 will launch, the devs from other MMOs should wipe their tears and figure out how will they be able to justify to the players the 15$ per month fee.

Originally posted by Mythios11

Originally posted by Adalwulff

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

 

I heard that too, guess Im in the right place!

Its like Ive been saying all along, GW has always been about PvP, and WoW has never been about PvP, so we got 2 entirely different games.

How has WoW never been about PvP??   They have more PvP specific game play options than any other MMO on the market along with competitive PvP tournaments held annually by Blizzard.

 

People say some wacky stuff on these forums.

Then you were not there when WoW was released, no BG's, no PvP systems at all. There was suppose to be world PvP, but that was a lie, it never existed. The most we saw was some fights at Tauren mill, and they were extremely laggy, and no rewards for fighting.

The PvP was added much later on, and they have expanded on it, sort of, but WoW is still a raiders game, always has been and probably always will be.

Originally posted by cinos

Originally posted by Mythios11

Originally posted by Adalwulff

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

 

I heard that too, guess Im in the right place!

Its like Ive been saying all along, GW has always been about PvP, and WoW has never been about PvP, so we got 2 entirely different games.

How has WoW never been about PvP??   They have more PvP specific game play options than any other MMO on the market along with competitive PvP tournaments held annually by Blizzard.

 

People say some wacky stuff on these forums.

I wouldn't bother asking tbh. Adalwulff seems to have a problem with making claims and then not being prepared to back them up with proof when asked.

And then there are people like you, who ask people to prove what they say, but never offer proof themselves, always keeping people on the defensive, its a common tactic among people who have no clue.

Originally posted by crewthief

Why GW2 will not have to compete with WoW ?
 

 Its simply the wrong question to provide answers to, because the payment model simply nullify it.

So instead of asking if GW2 competes with any other MMO (because it really doesn't,) then ask if any other MMO can avoid competing with GW2.

Thats the interesting question , and 1 i think most MMO's compagnies are fearing the answer to right now.

Originally posted by cinos

Originally posted by Mythios11

Originally posted by Adalwulff

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

I agree - GW2 is targeting a different playerbase: mainly MMO players.

 

I heard that too, guess Im in the right place!

Its like Ive been saying all along, GW has always been about PvP, and WoW has never been about PvP, so we got 2 entirely different games.

How has WoW never been about PvP??   They have more PvP specific game play options than any other MMO on the market along with competitive PvP tournaments held annually by Blizzard.

 

People say some wacky stuff on these forums.

I wouldn't bother asking tbh. Adalwulff seems to have a problem with making claims and then not being prepared to back them up with proof when asked.

To say WoW has never been about PvP is probably an indicator of how attentive said player was in game. Each expansion introduced a new large PvP zone connected with end game raiding - Wintergrasp and Barradin...the new one are the ones I played. I hated the arenas but damn I loved those open zone battles.

Sure, WoW didn't have instanced BG's when it was released but what games did back in 2004?   Blizz added BG's and PvP specific rewards shortly after launch (I believe in patch 1.5) which means they've had quite a bit of PvP specific content for close to 7 years now.

Good day sir!

Every PC game competes with WOW. They compete for your time.

When people are really into an MMO, they tend to buy less games. I had this happen to me with some MMOs, like AO, WOW and EVE. For months, I bought no other game, because all gaming time was being invested in those MMOs - and normally I do buy and play a lot of games. 

Originally posted by Thomson1

What?

GW2 will compete against WoW, having different game mechanics, price models doesn't mean they are not competitors.

WoW's and GW2's potential playerbase overlap to a decent degree and not everyone will pay/play 2 games at once even

with a buy to play model.

 

Almost every  MMORGP will have to compete with WoW, thats not my opinion but a fact.

You COMPLETELY missed the point of the different playerbases being targetted by WoW and GW2. Yes, they overlap, and the payment model will help with that. Reread the post and get back at me.

You know which group I'd love to be able to track... those that own and currently play WoW that also purchase GW2 due to it's subscription-free model and the fact it's the newest, shiniest etc. Basically, I'd be curious to see how play time starts initially split between the two and how that ratio drifts one way or the other over time.

Originally posted by CristianCeo

I haven't played WOW, nor other P2P MMO for some time now and i don't see how they could coexist. If GW2 gives me everything and more why would i pay 15$ for a less than average MMO. 

  When GW2 will launch, the devs from other MMOs should wipe their tears and figure out how will they be able to justify to the players the 15$ per month fee.

You are the gamer being directly targetted by GW2, as am I. For me, the WoW model is completely and utterly worn out...but for those players that still enjoy that model, AND want to play something different, GW2s payment model could provide a happy medium for them.