Its not really a surprise to me. It happens in a lot of MMos and GW2 isn't an exception. Sure you 'could' go back and do places but unless they changed something (which I see nothing about it) you get less out of it then doing the stuff at your own level. Experience in particular was lacking during my time playing as doing the lower level stuff could noteably make it take longer to level due to giving less experience as the exp per level slowly increased (not as slow as other MMos but its definently noticable as you advance). The quickest root is to do stuff close to your level or even possibly above a bit. 

Without numbers, the events become a lot more difficult to do which when it comes to the 'middle' content, its going to be more empty as often there is more players starting and at the end then at the middle. 

I honestly feel there isn't much to do to fix this. The only way would be to make it so the rewards are equal everywhere you go (I mean completely equal) and it would also involve zones being entertaining, which even if they made every area fun to be play in, chances are some will stick out more then others and one area will have more players and leave the other still empty.

Unless they add something to 'farm' in each individual zone, I just don't see much working to change this, and even IF they added farming required in each zone, its only a matter of time before everyone finishes it and it becomes empty again leaving others with the tedious task of farming WITHOUT anyone to make it more 'fun'.

Originally posted by colddog04
Which themepark style game are you playing that has all the mid-level zones bustling with people? 

Amazingly, WoW is pretty bustling these days due to the sheer number of players and the way they have kind of combined servers for many zones.

Originally posted by asmkm22

Originally posted by colddog04
Which themepark style game are you playing that has all the mid-level zones bustling with people? 

Amazingly, WoW is pretty bustling these days due to the sheer number of players and the way they have kind of combined servers for many zones.

They really aren't. The CRZ stuff has died down drastically. I jsut elveled a Monk with my bro from 1-90. Empty. We did occasionally see people from other servers, but it was really rare. Like I said, like 1-2 people every rare once in a while.

Edit: For instance, right now there are 2 people besides me in all of Southern Barrens and only 1 is the appropriate level on Hellscream. I saw 2 people earlier from another server in person.

Originally posted by Volkon

You don't actually play GW2, do you?

 

Level scaling keeps zones competitive. In archaic games like WoW, people simply don't go back to the lower level zones because they out-levelled them rendering them completely useless. In GW2 the zone still can give you a challenge and you're rewarded based on your level, not the level of the zone. 

Invisible walls? I don't recall running into any at all. At least, there's nothing invisible about a massive mountain range, for example. The shape of the zones is beautifully hidden by the artistry of them. It feels like a breathing world, not a static box.

The only place I've seen the "state of fail" issue with DEs is Orr, the end area. That problem lasts about as long as it takes to annouce that an event is up to change that. People arrive, the push is on and before you know it you're checking out exotics from the vendor.

You dont play WoW do you?  High levels are always going to low level zones since there are other things to do besides kill mobs.  Most are collecting resources or are completing achievements (rare pets, archeology, etc).

I cant speak to the OPs reasoning but I can say that I am level 23 Asura in GW2 and my server is EMPTY at low levels.  There is NO chat and I don't see anyone but enemies.  It doesn't feel like an MMO anymore.  Ill probably log in again when an expansion is released since they will probably bring in a new user base that has to start the low levels.

Originally posted by Nadia

Originally posted by Lobotomist

There you go.

They want for people to play lower level zones. But they dont want want to reward them for doing so.

Clueless design 101

Originally posted by Terranah

Regarding rewards in lower level zones, light night I was in the Sylvaran zone 1-15.  Killed a flying miniboss of some kind and got a level 80 exotic short bow: Avirdanag with a Superior Sigil of Bloodlust.  Stacks 10 power per kill to max of 25.  I was like, "Yay!"  I already have a level 80 exotic shortbow that I use so at first I was thinking maybe to auction it.  I check the auction and it's selling for 5 gold 74 silver.  I was like, "Damn!"  I was so close to selling it, but then I thought I probably wouldn't buy it myself for that price so I should just equip it.  I love it! 

I am looting low level gear but also stuff 76 to 78.  Making decent money gathering/vendoring/auctioning.

just saying..

We could get into semantics all day and I'm sure plenty of people could point out an instance where they got a decent drop at one time or another.

The real issue is that the game isn't even 5 months old yet and many of the zones are absolutely void of player activity.   Couple this with that fact that DE's often require groups and you've got a system that sounded good on paper but clearly did not stand the test of time.   

We can also point at other themepark games having dead zones but those games didn't hinge a good portion of the PvE leveling experience on a system that is often impossible to solo if you're level / gear  appropriate for that zone.  

Originally posted by Purutzil

Its not really a surprise to me. It happens in a lot of MMos and GW2 isn't an exception. Sure you 'could' go back and do places but unless they changed something (which I see nothing about it) you get less out of it then doing the stuff at your own level. Experience in particular was lacking during my time playing as doing the lower level stuff could noteably make it take longer to level due to giving less experience as the exp per level slowly increased (not as slow as other MMos but its definently noticable as you advance). The quickest root is to do stuff close to your level or even possibly above a bit. 

 

Without numbers, the events become a lot more difficult to do which when it comes to the 'middle' content, its going to be more empty as often there is more players starting and at the end then at the middle. 

 

I honestly feel there isn't much to do to fix this. The only way would be to make it so the rewards are equal everywhere you go (I mean completely equal) and it would also involve zones being entertaining, which even if they made every area fun to be play in, chances are some will stick out more then others and one area will have more players and leave the other still empty.

 

Unless they add something to 'farm' in each individual zone, I just don't see much working to change this, and even IF they added farming required in each zone, its only a matter of time before everyone finishes it and it becomes empty again leaving others with the tedious task of farming WITHOUT anyone to make it more 'fun'.

I agree.  I call this the 'theme park syndrome' where content is only there to level/progress the character to the next area.    There is nothing in the low level zones (of value) to warrant a revisit.   I think this is what has to change.  Instead of creating these 'tiered' zones - make a world and make it interesting so people are constantly visiting various areas.  Give us other things to do other than level / gear / jumping puzzles /etc

Wow, there's a lot of cynical people out there.  One person says they aren't 'convinced' I'm going into low level zones?  I'm trying to get 100% map completion, so I'm hitting all the zones that aren't finished, including the low ones.  I've been playing since launch and so far only to 70% completion, but I do a lot of the quests in the areas I'm in and try to find hidden areas.  As I have posted many times, I'm not a min/maxer.  I'm in it for the experience, not the ego.

Second, yeah I was suprised I got the Exotic yesterday.  Surprised because it doesn't happen that often, but I have gotten level 80 exotics from low to mid range areas, unfortunately I had better or couldn't use it do to profession restriction.  As far as loot goes, I'm getting whites, blues, greens, with a wide range of levels.  A lot of it is low level, but a fair amount is also 76 to 78, some 80 but not much.

If people don't believe, lol...I don't know what to tell ya.

As far as crafting and farming components, I don't craft so I can't speak to that.  I auction/vendor all crafting items.

Originally posted by darkhalf357x

Originally posted by Volkon

You don't actually play GW2, do you?

 

Level scaling keeps zones competitive. In archaic games like WoW, people simply don't go back to the lower level zones because they out-levelled them rendering them completely useless. In GW2 the zone still can give you a challenge and you're rewarded based on your level, not the level of the zone. 

Invisible walls? I don't recall running into any at all. At least, there's nothing invisible about a massive mountain range, for example. The shape of the zones is beautifully hidden by the artistry of them. It feels like a breathing world, not a static box.

The only place I've seen the "state of fail" issue with DEs is Orr, the end area. That problem lasts about as long as it takes to annouce that an event is up to change that. People arrive, the push is on and before you know it you're checking out exotics from the vendor.

You dont play WoW do you?  High levels are always going to low level zones since there are other things to do besides kill mobs.  Most are collecting resources or are completing achievements (rare pets, archeology, etc).

I cant speak to the OPs reasoning but I can say that I am level 23 Asura in GW2 and my server is EMPTY at low levels.  There is NO chat and I don't see anyone but enemies.  It doesn't feel like an MMO anymore.  Ill probably log in again when an expansion is released since they will probably bring in a new user base that has to start the low levels.

Not since right before Cata released. Couldn't stand the thought of restarting the treadmill and all that raid gear becoming instantly obsolete yet again. I've a new necro that's just hit level 35, but the last five levels were all in WvW. Prior to that I haven't been in an empty zone yet levelling. Maybe it depends on the server... Jade Quarry is hopping right now with people.

Originally posted by colddog04

Originally posted by asmkm22

Originally posted by colddog04
Which themepark style game are you playing that has all the mid-level zones bustling with people? 

Amazingly, WoW is pretty bustling these days due to the sheer number of players and the way they have kind of combined servers for many zones.

They really aren't. The CRZ stuff has died down drastically. I jsut elveled a Monk with my bro from 1-90. Empty. We did occasionally see people from other servers, but it was really rare. Like I said, like 1-2 people every rare once in a while.

 

Edit: For instance, right now there are 2 people besides me in all of Southern Barrens and only 1 is the appropriate level on Hellscream. I saw 2 people earlier from another server in person.

They really are. I doubt you have even played WoW sense MoP. I have leveled 2 new toons sense then and no the areas are not brimming with players but I do see quite a few more then I use to.

Originally posted by Serenes

Originally posted by colddog04

Originally posted by asmkm22

Originally posted by colddog04
Which themepark style game are you playing that has all the mid-level zones bustling with people? 

Amazingly, WoW is pretty bustling these days due to the sheer number of players and the way they have kind of combined servers for many zones.

They really aren't. The CRZ stuff has died down drastically. I jsut elveled a Monk with my bro from 1-90. Empty. We did occasionally see people from other servers, but it was really rare. Like I said, like 1-2 people every rare once in a while.

 

Edit: For instance, right now there are 2 people besides me in all of Southern Barrens and only 1 is the appropriate level on Hellscream. I saw 2 people earlier from another server in person.

They really are. I doubt you have even played WoW sense MoP. I have leveled 2 new toons sense then and no the areas are not brimming with players but I do see quite a few more then I use to.

Since he just levelled a Monk from 1-90 I'd say he has. 

Originally posted by Volkon

Originally posted by darkhalf357x

Originally posted by Volkon

You don't actually play GW2, do you?

 

Level scaling keeps zones competitive. In archaic games like WoW, people simply don't go back to the lower level zones because they out-levelled them rendering them completely useless. In GW2 the zone still can give you a challenge and you're rewarded based on your level, not the level of the zone. 

Invisible walls? I don't recall running into any at all. At least, there's nothing invisible about a massive mountain range, for example. The shape of the zones is beautifully hidden by the artistry of them. It feels like a breathing world, not a static box.

The only place I've seen the "state of fail" issue with DEs is Orr, the end area. That problem lasts about as long as it takes to annouce that an event is up to change that. People arrive, the push is on and before you know it you're checking out exotics from the vendor.

You dont play WoW do you?  High levels are always going to low level zones since there are other things to do besides kill mobs.  Most are collecting resources or are completing achievements (rare pets, archeology, etc).

I cant speak to the OPs reasoning but I can say that I am level 23 Asura in GW2 and my server is EMPTY at low levels.  There is NO chat and I don't see anyone but enemies.  It doesn't feel like an MMO anymore.  Ill probably log in again when an expansion is released since they will probably bring in a new user base that has to start the low levels.

Not since right before Cata released. Couldn't stand the thought of restarting the treadmill and all that raid gear becoming instantly obsolete yet again. I've a new necro that's just hit level 35, but the last five levels were all in WvW. Prior to that I haven't been in an empty zone yet levelling. Maybe it depends on the server... Jade Quarry is hopping right now with people.

To be fair I started with MoP ;-) .. and actually impressed.  Definitely has its limitations due to age but is a nice filler until ArcheAge or something else I really want to play comes out.   I tried to get on Jade Quarry (thats the server MMORPG is on) but it was FULL by the time I started character creation.  I'm on an East Coast server (cant remember which one) but it is definitely quiet.   I'll try my Sylvari Archer level 6 and see how populated that is.

But I will admit playing GW2 has exposed that I am a gamer who likes progression and understand that goes against what GW2 was trying to achieve.

I only agree with the invisible walls, each zone is nothing more than a square/rectangle-esque platform with nothing but water in the shape of a square/rectangle below the surface.

I find more invisible walls in GW2 than I do in Borderlands 2. Invisible walls are the ultimate immersion killer T_T.

Originally posted by moosecatlol

I only agree with the invisible walls, each zone is nothing more than a square/rectangle-esque platform with nothing but water in the shape of a square/rectangle below the surface.

I find more invisible walls in GW2 than I do in Borderlands 2. Invisible walls are the ultimate immersion killer T_T.

What invisible walls? Where? 

I haven't seen them yet.

Originally posted by Volkon

Originally posted by moosecatlol

I only agree with the invisible walls, each zone is nothing more than a square/rectangle-esque platform with nothing but water in the shape of a square/rectangle below the surface.

I find more invisible walls in GW2 than I do in Borderlands 2. Invisible walls are the ultimate immersion killer T_T.

What invisible walls? Where? 

 

I haven't seen them yet.

He means artificial walls, and there are a hell of a lot of those, horribly designed and implemented. 

Originally posted by Terranah

Second, yeah I was suprised I got the Exotic yesterday.  Surprised because it doesn't happen that often, but I have gotten level 80 exotics from low to mid range areas, unfortunately I had better or couldn't use it do to profession restriction.  As far as loot goes, I'm getting whites, blues, greens, with a wide range of levels.  A lot of it is low level, but a fair amount is also 76 to 78, some 80 but not much.

You've gotten multiple exotics drops from mobs? And not zone completion rewards or chests that have a high chance like mad king dungeon? That's lucky.. 784 hours played, i've yet to see a mob drop an exotic (same goes for black lion chest keys).

Originally posted by Scarfe

Originally posted by Volkon

Originally posted by moosecatlol

I only agree with the invisible walls, each zone is nothing more than a square/rectangle-esque platform with nothing but water in the shape of a square/rectangle below the surface.

I find more invisible walls in GW2 than I do in Borderlands 2. Invisible walls are the ultimate immersion killer T_T.

What invisible walls? Where? 

 

I haven't seen them yet.

He means artificial walls, and there are a hell of a lot of those, horribly designed and implemented. 

I've always been amazed by the collective pass given to ANet by both critics and gamers when it came to the rectangular zones.   Seems like something you'd see in an old 8-bit game, not Game of the Year for 2012.

Originally posted by Scarfe

Originally posted by Volkon

Originally posted by moosecatlol

I only agree with the invisible walls, each zone is nothing more than a square/rectangle-esque platform with nothing but water in the shape of a square/rectangle below the surface.

I find more invisible walls in GW2 than I do in Borderlands 2. Invisible walls are the ultimate immersion killer T_T.

What invisible walls? Where? 

 

I haven't seen them yet.

He means artificial walls, and there are a hell of a lot of those, horribly designed and implemented. 

Such as? The mountains and such used blend in nicely with the landscape for example. What "artificial walls" are "horribly designed and implemented"? Examples would be nice, screenshots even better.