Originally posted by MikeB

Hey guys,

I'd like to do a forum experiment on some of our most trafficked forums. This will be simple and straightforward. Below, you'll find a set of basic questions that I'd like you to answer (copy and paste the questions as is into your reply, retain all formatting, do not add anything). This isn't a discussion thread, so responding to other users' responses is not allowed. These posts will be removed.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

 

Yes. Been following the development of GW2 since it was announced; played GW1 before switching over to WOW, and now switching back to GW2.

 

Do you currently play this game?:

 

Yes. I have pre-purchased and have played in all BWEs and in all Stress Tests.

If yes, please explain why:

 

I have pre-purchased GW2 and have played in all BWEs and in all Stress Tests; will obviously be playing upon release. I wanted to try the game for myself, contribute in helping fund the game buy pre-purchasing, and help the development of the game by participating in the betas.

 

If no, please explain why:

 

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

 

I played WOW for a little over 7 years; I finally quit on February 2012. I only have enough time to play one game, and that will be GW2.

 

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

 

I like to participate in the discussion regarding the video games which I enjoy playing myself.

 

Thanks for your responses! Remember, please just copy the above questions and answer them straightforwardly if you'd like to participate in this.

 

NOTE: Please do not answer questions that currently do not apply. Feel free to edit your answers to these questions in once the game goes live.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Yes, Ree Soesbee bewitched me on Gamescom 2010 :D Hadn't looked too much into the game prior to that first ever playable demo, I loved what I experienced playing it and this got amplified by how passionate the Anet devs are about their own game, all information released from that point on and how open they are about the state of the development process. This over time made me realize that this time around it's real and not just marketing hype with fancy CGI trailers and devs trying to look enthusiastic about their game in Q&A or teaser vids, Anet really are that enthusiastic and delivering what they promise.

Do you currently play this game?:

If no, please explain why:

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

LOTRO - played for 5+ years (since couple of months after its original release) and still feel attached to my hobbit and the lore. Because I've got a lifetime sub I can just come and go as I please without restrictions and the past half year I've only checked back to see how the story continues, the game world expands and for festival fun.

GW1 - to catch up on the lore in Nightfall and EotN and unlock some points in HoM.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I'm very excited about and a fan of this game so I'm following everyting about it on the internet and like to participate in discussions about many things related to the game.

Thanks for your responses! Remember, please just copy the above questions and answer them straightforwardly if you'd like to participate in this.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Not at first.  I always thought a persistant world GW would be better but was involved in other games.  Once I took time to learn what GW2 was about I became a big fan.

Do you currently play this game?:

When there has been an event, yes.  I have prepurchased and will play at launch.

If yes, please explain why:

If no, please explain why:

N/A

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

None at the moment, probably wont until the 25th.  That falls toward the end of the summer term so I'm using this time to study (well, not right NOW ).

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

Entertainment, info and intrigue.  Most posters here have a good sense of humor and ask good questions.  Plus, I'm not interested in any other MMOs out right now so I really have no where else to go other than General.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Yes.  Seemed to have some interesting new features.  Didn't have a focus on end game, daily quests, or token grinds.  Plus with no sub, seemed it might be a good second game to play occasionally.

Do you currently play this game?:

I will be playing on release, yes.

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

LotRO because of it's big open world, soloability, and community features.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I'm a rare poster and don't go to specific game forums.  I look to see what the most recent topics are on the left and visit what sounds interesting.

Originally posted by MikeB

Hey guys,

I'd like to do a forum experiment on some of our most trafficked forums. This will be simple and straightforward. Below, you'll find a set of basic questions that I'd like you to answer (copy and paste the questions as is into your reply, retain all formatting, do not add anything). This isn't a discussion thread, so responding to other users' responses is not allowed. These posts will be removed.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

 

Yes. I played GW1 and have been following the development of GW2 since it was first announced.

 

Do you currently play this game?:

I played in the beta and will play upon release.

 

If yes, please explain why:

 

I enjoyed playing GW1 a lot and was very excited when GW2 was announced.

 

If no, please explain why:

 

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

 

I currently play WOW (up to Cata) but will quit as soon as GW2 releases.

 

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

 

I have been following the forums on this website for a while now and decided it was time to post! :)

 

Thanks for your responses! Remember, please just copy the above questions and answer them straightforwardly if you'd like to participate in this.

 

NOTE: Please do not answer questions that currently do not apply. Feel free to edit your answers to these questions in once the game goes live.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Yes, while I did play GW1 and thought it was a well made game, it's design wasn't to my liking.  ANET is promising to break down the barriers and deliver us a decidly different gaming experience this time around and I'm hoping it will relieve some of the stagnation I feel the genre is suffering from.

Do you currently play this game?:

No, not yet, I'm one of the 5 gamers left on the planet who hasn't tried any of the betas.

If no, please explain why:

I stopped playing betas because I found myself burning out on games before they ever launched, and I'd prefer to not rerun the same content at launch that I did in beta.  Besides, I'm finding that by waiting a bit after launch I miss some of the early shenanigans.

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

TSW, mostly because I was bored and it's different enough to keep me entertained until GW2 comes out.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I'm a BitterVet™ and a Troll, and look at my post count, I post everywhere frequently.

But I also have an interest in this title (and some concerns on the design changes) so I enjoy discussing them.

Besides, its soooo much fun to rile up the fanbois

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?: 

Yes, I became interested in GW2 originally because of the Anet Manifesto video.  I bagan watching YouTube clips of the various Con panels that the Anet staff attended.  At first, I didn't believe that the things they were saying was actually possible since I felt that I had been misled so many times in the past.  I then discovered a strong community of followers and began conversing with them.  Then I saw gameplay, and was blown away.  Finally, I had a chance to play the game and learned that everything they had all been saying was true.

Do you currently play this game?:

As often as I have opportunity, yes.

If no, please explain why:

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

Aside from GW2, I currently play GW1 because, again, of the community and connection to GW2.  The need to feel like my past accomplishments will carry to the future is very important to me.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I normally post as a reaction to something another community member has posted.  Mostly because I enjoy talking about GW2 nearly as much as I enjoy playing it.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:Yes,  i played GW1 for a few years and after vanilla WOW I was waiting for the same feeling.

Do you currently play this game?: Yes

If no, please explain why:

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:None. Waiting for the 25th.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do? I like to get information from fellow mmo'ers about the status of the game and ways to make it more enjoyable. I hope to see some of them in-game. The usual suspects on here seem like good people and it's a nice place to come too.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

I wasn't really interested in GW2 for quite a while.  In fact, I scofed at the idea of a non-sub AAA MMO being successful outside of a niche.  While playing SWTOR with my multi-gaming guild, Unrepentant Gaming, I was privy to conversations about GW2.  My interest was piqued a few months ago.

Do you currently play this game?:

I play GW2 during the BWEs and plan on playing it at the head start.

If no, please explain why:

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

Aside from the GW2 BWEs, I'm not playing any MMO (unless SMP Minecraft counts). 

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I actually play this game and am looking forward to the release.  I'll post here and a few other places, but generally, the GW2 subforum is what I'm most interested in.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Yes, I was always a fan of the Guild Wars games, so naturally GW2 drew my interest. When they came out with the Manifesto I was fully hooked.

Do you currently play this game?:

Why do I currently play it? I wuvs it! Seriously, it's such a breath of fresh air blowing away the stagnation of the MMO genre that it's the only MMO I can tolerate playing these days. Not just tolerate, but absolutely love!

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

None. Cancelled WoW and Eve subscriptions after trying a pre-BWE1 beta weekend. Even then the game hooked me so deeply I couldn't bring myself to play another.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

It's GW2 baby!

Originally posted by MikeB

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?: Yes.  I became interested in this game due to the information that came from conventions when people were allowed to play and confirm what was said by the developers to be true.

 

Do you currently play this game?:  Its not out (obviously, eh), but I have a prepurchase and have played all the BWE's and stress tests, and plan to play at launch.

If yes, please explain why:  I enjoy the exploration, variety of activities, combat, lore, setting, WvW, and how the PVE is presented.

 

If no, please explain why:

 

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?: TOR, TSW, and Tera are the 3 I currently have subscriptions atm, but I do not plan to continue those subscriptions.  I do not like how the content is presented, and lack of activities outside of combat in these titles.

 

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do? I enjoy and plan to further enjoy the game.  I find good information here, and try (without trolling, which is hard at times) to provide relevant information.

 

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?: N/A

Do you currently play this game?: N/A

If no, please explain why: N/A

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?: Path of Exile (Best ARPG currently out there), World of Tanks (Good fun to play with friends and is fairly well balanced), End of Nations (Beta testing atm, I may or may not be in the Alpha also *cough*), GW1 (Finished my HoM, sometimes log in for a bit here and there)

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do? GW2 is going to be *huge*. I browse this subforum looking out for new information, opinions and general chat.

Do you currently play this game?:

No.

If no, please explain why:

It isn't released yet.  Ask me again in August.

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

Nothing currently.  However, playing nothing is actually a rare state, for me.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

It pops up a lot at the top of "forum cloud".  Coudn't you get this data from page views?

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Yes - because of ArenaNets trackrecord with GW1 - and the 1500+ hours spend in the game

Do you currently play this game?:

Played some  in beta and stresstest,

If yes, please explain why: to get a feel for the game, not to much as to keep launch fresh , but enough that i know what i am talking about in forums.

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

None after WAR, besides a little hom work in GW1

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I was drawn in early in the development of GW2 because of all the misunderstandings that popped up , and have spend a lot of time educating posters about what ArenaNet was up to based on what they actual have said and their ability to actual walk the talk.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?: Yes because of the Manifesto

Do you currently play this game?: No

If no, please explain why:  Because it hasn't launched yet

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:  LOTRO because I'm a lifetimer

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?  Because the official forums are not up yet and this is my favorite of the non official game forums.   I like the community - warts and all:)

Originally posted by MikeB

Hey guys,

I'd like to do a forum experiment on some of our most trafficked forums. This will be simple and straightforward. Below, you'll find a set of basic questions that I'd like you to answer (copy and paste the questions as is into your reply, retain all formatting, do not add anything). This isn't a discussion thread, so responding to other users' responses is not allowed. These posts will be removed.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?: Yes, Since it's not out yet yes, I personally thought GW1 sucked because it was point and click. However a freind told me it would be WSAD and feature a pvp experience like War of Emperium. I have been missing the larger battle experience for a long time so I wanted to check it out.

 

Do you currently play this game?:Yes, I also don't intend to stop soon.

If yes, please explain why:Well, many reasons. The transmutation(equivalent exchange) system with armor/weapons along w/ the dye system bring a complete sence of uniquness for me to help with emersion. I'm still intrigued with WvW. I'm enjoying my personal story on all fronts. I still feel like i'm in a new world where i can play and compete with the best.  

 

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?: Ehh, well..... I play GW2 when I can get some time in. Blacklight Retribution (good stress relief) Lotro (I like my house and have never unsubscribed) , and like many others I still have an active WoW account (don't play it often but it helps to pass the time when all else fails)

 

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I'm here for the information. Not really the opinion part of the games just the knowledge you can get from other players testing, or reading up on other sites. All the information usually gets to this website in some shape or form. 

 

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Not Really, I mean heard of it and played GW1, but I was more of a SWTOR fan, needless to say I was wrong.

Do you currently play this game?:

I played yesterdays Stress test beta and I pre-purchased the game.

If no, please explain why:

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

I was playing Aion not long ago but still the same thing it was in 2009, then I tried Tera's free trial and I liked the game but the community of the game and the fact that GW2 is about to come out and it does not require a monthly subscription made me quit playing the game.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I don't know just saw this thread under the "current forum activity" on the home page and clicked the link.

Do you currently play this game?:

Yes

If yes, please explain why: 

Pre-purchased the game but was only able to participate in BWE3. I am looking forward to playing once the game goes live.

 What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

The BWE3 confirmed to me that GW2 was as good as and in some areas better than I expected.
I let my subscription lapse on Anarchy Online (I had been on month-to-month) as now that I know I like GW2, it makes no sense to put money into a dying game like AO or invest any more of my time in a game design that I believe is fundementally bad.  AO is classic grind for gear scenario, further debased by an insane leveling grind which most players now skip by paying for powerleveling.  I was also playing Perfect World, a no subscription, but cash shop based asian grindfest.  If you want to see just how far a game and some players will take microtransactions, PW is at the extreme end of the spectrum.  Players spend huge sums to powerlevel and acquire legendary gear.  By huge sums I mean exponentially more than the typical annual subscription fee for a AAA MMO. 

Personally I like the fact that there are 'Pay-to-Win' games out there.  I believe people should be able to choose their entertainment and how much they want to spend on it.  Personally, competitive spending is not attractive to me, and I would prefere a game where I do not have to spend real money in order to be competitive in.

For a consise description of how game publishers go from not selling power, to selling it in cash shops, including facts and figures about the financial motivation, the role of forums in game publisher decisions, and more, I recommend  'Pay to Win' published by employees of Electronic Arts
http://www.slideshare.net/bcousins/paying-to-win

I plan to play GW2 for as long as I enjoy it and as as long as they resist structuring micro-transactions in a way that makes them essential to competitive play.
 
What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I never hesitate to speak out with criticisms of any game I play, and find that 'official' game forums and forums at sites dedicated to a specific game tend to be less than receptive to constructive criticism.  
 
At 'official' sites, game publisher staff are sometimes compelled to respond to criticism or suggestions in a way that is dictated by company policy, 'party line', or marketing department speak  that is less than helpful.

As a subsite of MMORPG, there is more likelyhood that people who like other MMO's will frequent this forum, in addition to current players.  I always look for posts from people who are not regulars.  Without fresh ideas from outsiders, official or dedicated forums tend to get stale.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:  Yes.  I still love playing GW1 and agree with much of Anet's philosophy for gaming.

Do you currently play this game?:  Yes (from BWE1 on)

If yes, please explain why:  I played the BWEs to test it out and to help give feedback to make it better.  I will be playing on release because I found it to be possibly the best video game I've ever played.  And my great experience with the BWEs (few minor bugs and only one game crash across 3 BWEs), showed me that Anet knows what they're doing.

If no, please explain why:  N/A

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:  LoTRO (Premium) - love LoTR and it looked fun.  Have been playing for about a year and a half and had a bunch of fun until GW2 almost ruined it for me, lol. 

GW1 - at this point I'm mostly playing for the HOM achievements for GW2, but I originally bought it because it was a "MMO" without a subscription.  I loved it and kept playing for over 6 years now.

Wizard 101 (free) - play with my kids sometimes although I'm not a big fan of it for many reasons other than gameplay.

Family Guy Online - yes I play it!  Though not much because it's only ok.  Started playing it because I love the show.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?  I'm a big fan of Anet, and the GW IP (in case you couldn't tell lol) and, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I love to debate.  I also work hard to make sure that the misinformation about this game (and there's a lot of it) gets corrected.  Negative opinions are one thing, half-truths and outright lies are quite another.

Were you interested in this game before it came out? Why? Why not?:

Yes, I've followed it for years. I was more interested in it than GW1 because it seemed to have a more balanced PvE to PvP ratio than GW1, which was decidedly more PvP oriented, in my opinion.

Do you currently play this game?:

I pre-purchased and play in the BWEs and stresst tests until August 25th when it will become my "main" MMO.

If yes, please explain why:

I think GW2 has an optimum balance between PvE and PvP. I am drawn to the story, the races, the professions, and very much the crafting, the mini-games and the beautiful enthralling graphics. So much to do in the game with exploration, vistas, jumping puzzles, and just running into "trouble" everywhere. I'm very excited about this title.

If no, please explain why:

Not applicable

What MMOs are you currently playing and why do you play these particular titles?:

There are several MMOs I play around with, but the only ones I am "actively playing" are World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2 (in it's beta form until Aug 25).  I play around with D3 (which is not an MMO) and EQ2 (which I return to every now and again because I miss the housing so very much).

Why do I play WoW?  I play it because so many people I know play it and because it's simply uncomplicated fun. Yes, it's easy.  I don't really think that's a bad thing all the time.  Sometimes easy is relaxing.  I like humor in games too, and WoW doesn't seem to take itself too seriously...I've always appreciated that.

What compels you to post in this particular subforum as frequently (or infrequently) as you do?

I love GW2, what can I say?  It's the next "big thing" for me as a gamer and I'm excited for it to all begin!  I read and post on this forum a lot, really.  It's interesting and exciting....with the exception of the douchy troll posts that end up here so often.