http://www.arena.net/blog/the-evolution-of-narrative-in-personal-story

Some key things in there are interesting I wonder did any on else spot the key things.

"but our goal with the personal story steps is to make each one a memorable gameplay experience, not just a collection of interesting cutscenes." - Nail meet head.

This is why ArenaNet doesn't worry me. Plus, they've been showing us the game the whole time - demonstrating that their design concepts are working in each build.

was about to post this...but you beat me to it.... This means that, to experience every potential storyline being told from level 1 to 10, you’d need to play the game 30 times (5 races times 3 initial stories times 2 internal branches in each storyline). And that’s just the first ten levels of the game.

Game already confirmed more dynamic and more powerful choices then SWTOR.  (sorry just had to say this)

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

"but our goal with the personal story steps is to make each one a memorable gameplay experience, not just a collection of interesting cutscenes." - Nail meet head.

 

This is why ArenaNet doesn't worry me. Plus, they've been showing us the game the whole time - demonstrating that their design concepts are working in each build.

Yea the gameplay in the stories are awesome.

You can actually tell for example for Charr there is one where you defend against the flame legion, you get a skill that makes your team mates do something, one is for snipe, motar, and one comes with you and fight as they assault your defense, waws awesome, you could tell they weren't finished with enemy ai though most were standing there, and you had to destroy the three trebuchets or something like that, but it looked really engaging, better than watching it happen you got to do it.

Originally posted by needalife214

was about to post this...but you beat me to it.... This means that, to experience every potential storyline being told from level 1 to 10, you’d need to play the game 30 times (5 races times 3 initial stories times 2 internal branches in each storyline). And that’s just the first ten levels of the game.

Game already confirmed more dynamic and more powerful choices then SWTOR.  (sorry just had to say this)

Uhgg... here we go...

Anyway..

All fine and dandy if it plays out that way in game. Most companies talk about memorable choices in their stories prior to release, even the best fail at it much more than they succeed.

 And the diversity of gameplay you experience in these storylines is truly varied. Whether you’re chasing a mystical creature through an undead-infested swamp, going undercover as a pirate and competing in a bawdy drinking contest, playing a bit of tower defense with turrets and troops against an onslaught of invading ghosts, sneaking through a city at night, or leading a huge army against an overwhelming foe, you’re going to find a lot to enjoy as you experience your character’s own personal story.

Seems Legit

[Mod Edit]

Originally posted by Distopia

Originally posted by needalife214

was about to post this...but you beat me to it.... This means that, to experience every potential storyline being told from level 1 to 10, you’d need to play the game 30 times (5 races times 3 initial stories times 2 internal branches in each storyline). And that’s just the first ten levels of the game.

Game already confirmed more dynamic and more powerful choices then SWTOR.  (sorry just had to say this)

Uhgg... here we go...

Anyway..

All fine and dandy if it plays out that way in game. Most companies talk about memorable choices in their stories prior to release, even the best fail at it much more than they succeed.

completely agree, however the stories that arena net has produced so far leads me to the conclusion that the stories will be pretty epic and grand.

As long as the ending doesn't involve choosing what color explosion you'd like it should be fine.

Did he say "tower defense"?  He did!

Kickass.  Can't wait to see that.

Now, the potential for fun dialog was pretty strong, and we could have just designed a lot of milk runs to gather information, but our goal with the personal story steps is to make each one a memorable gameplay experience, not just a collection of interesting cutscenes.

The part in green is very instructive. Most games with a storyline would have done just that, the storyline would have been the backdrop for a very mundane "milk run". GW2 goes beyond that to make the elements of your story memorable, rather than mundane.

A good point for people who didn't get it before to understand is that the personal storyline also acts as a guide for some of your journeys through the game world. The story branches at key points along the way, which diffuses any thought of the story leading to a linear game experience and you can always go off and do what ever you want in between story elements, but the story will also help to introduce you to various parts of the world that are associated with your personal story content. The Personal Story elements may be instanced, but they actually enhance your conection to the greater game world, rather than seperating you from it.

By the end of the story progression, each character wil have a story to tell that will feel distinctive to that character. This is great for everyone, but the branching nature of the Personal Story will be a huge boon to those who play alts to extend their play experience.

Originally posted by Distopia

Originally posted by needalife214

was about to post this...but you beat me to it.... This means that, to experience every potential storyline being told from level 1 to 10, you’d need to play the game 30 times (5 races times 3 initial stories times 2 internal branches in each storyline). And that’s just the first ten levels of the game.

Game already confirmed more dynamic and more powerful choices then SWTOR.  (sorry just had to say this)

Uhgg... here we go...

Anyway..

All fine and dandy if it plays out that way in game. Most companies talk about memorable choices in their stories prior to release, even the best fail at it much more than they succeed.

Theres actually already an example of this in the yogcast videos where the two of them have completely different storylines for their Norns in the beggining, so at least thats a good sign.

Originally posted by needalife214

was about to post this...but you beat me to it.... This means that, to experience every potential storyline being told from level 1 to 10, you’d need to play the game 30 times (5 races times 3 initial stories times 2 internal branches in each storyline). And that’s just the first ten levels of the game.

Game already confirmed more dynamic and more powerful choices then SWTOR.  (sorry just had to say this)

Heh, I thought most people would've grown wiser at this point. Talk is easy, any acceptance of a company's statements before people have actually played the game and experienced it to that extent themselves, is nothing more than based on faith.

Playing first, then believe. That is, unless people are religiously oriented in their acceptation of things, also when it comes to games and company's statements.

edit: talking in general btw, I saw some more sortlike overenthusiastic posts in this thread, not specifically directed to you.

Originally posted by Kakkzooka

"but our goal with the personal story steps is to make each one a memorable gameplay experience, not just a collection of interesting cutscenes." - Nail meet head.

 

This is why ArenaNet doesn't worry me. Plus, they've been showing us the game the whole time - demonstrating that their design concepts are working in each build.

Thye've been very open about the game all along and I like that transparency.  I've also always liked Anet's focus on the game as a whole, bothe storywise and gameplay-wise.

Originally posted by cutthecrap

Originally posted by needalife214

was about to post this...but you beat me to it.... This means that, to experience every potential storyline being told from level 1 to 10, you’d need to play the game 30 times (5 races times 3 initial stories times 2 internal branches in each storyline). And that’s just the first ten levels of the game.

Game already confirmed more dynamic and more powerful choices then SWTOR.  (sorry just had to say this)

Heh, I thought most people would've grown wiser at this point. Talk is easy, any acceptance of a company's statements before people have actually played the game and experienced it to that extent themselves, is nothing more than based on faith.

Playing first, then believe. That is, unless people are religiously oriented in their acceptation of things, also when it comes to games and company's statements.

 

edit: talking in general btw, I saw some more sortlike overenthusiastic posts in this thread, not specifically directed to you.

 

no problem i understand your conern. Anet however, has already showed us (indirectly through the videos around the web including yogcast stuff) that the game braches so not only is your leveling not narrow and through only one zone, but the story branches in major ways, as well as being able to progress with your friends or not. Proving that right there Areana net's "story" is better (not in content as that has yet to be seen but in function). This game is not marketed for its story and while yes they always say that they have it it is not over 50% of thweir selling point. proving to me atleast that The Company and Devs put time into all content equally (at least put an equal standard on it).

Think about this if the game launched with just DEs done, people would freak out over lack of PvP content and the story bring a waste of time, but the standard on quality that this company shows, along with its comunication, its something to give a major amount of credit too. There will bugs game day of course, but nothing of the issues with AoC pulling content or WAR (telling us 3 months before lauch that they cant get their cities in for launch then lying to the playerbase about putting them in.

Arena.net is different, and their attitude is showing through in this gem of a game, I have played it at the Cons, and watched all the videos from the last press beta. when they make a major change they let us know in their blog.

Originally posted by Shroom_Mage

As long as the ending doesn't involve choosing what color explosion you'd like it should be fine.

Lol. I second that.

hover hammocks for the win !

Originally posted by Distopia

All fine and dandy if it plays out that way in game. Most companies talk about memorable choices in their stories prior to release, even the best fail at it much more than they succeed.

Except that ArenaNet have had their mettle tested countless times by people in betas - not just by fans, but by press, and the general public. All have come away impressed, and the content wasn't even complete.

So we kind of already know.

Originally posted by Unlight

Did he say "tower defense"?  He did!

Kickass.  Can't wait to see that.

+1

I love me some tower defence. Defence Grid: The Awakening is one of my all time faves.