I realised recently that during my time in GW2 I had not get annoyed or pissed off by another player during PVE playtime at all (I didn't try PVP to my shame), which is (sad to say) pretty usual for me in most games. This got me to thinking about whether ArenaNet were actively trying to create a real friendly and fair environment within the game - which is probably a first.

Most if not all MMO's I have played have gameplay mechanics that allow for all sorts of annoyances - from players running in and stealing the freshly popped quest NPC, to the tank having the wrong gear for a dungeon and not telling you, to the level 80 running into town and killing all the quest NPCs, to being ganked by a guy 30 levels higher than you whilst out questing (repeatedly).

However, Guild Wars 2 has things to counter all of these - so they just dont ever happen. They have everyone getting a quest update who helped kill to the NPC, to removing the gear grind and making it skill based, to making everyone in an area the same level. In fact almost every annoyance in most MMO's seem to be countered by Guild Wars.

I can't think of another MMO that seems to do this - but I may be wrong (excluding Hello Kitty Online and Clone Wars - although I'm not so sure about Hello Kitty, it always looked a bit evil).

This was something that was pretty inherent in the game's design philosophy. ANet in many many interviews and blog posts have inmuerated multiple times that they wanted to create a friendly/co-operative game envrionment (hence how mob tagging, looting, de/questing works), and, personally, think it's brilliant. They've really managed to make the game feel co-operative and social, without forcing it on you like games of old which required it because the content was.... maybe not challeneging, but unforgiving.

I think this is probably the biggest innovation/renovation/evolution of the genre that GW2 offers.

I think the open/friendly non-compete nature of GW2 PvE is going to make it a very friendly and community driven experience... but a quiet one in public as people will really only spend time talking to other people if they are in their own guild chat.

I forsee general chats being a bit more ghostly than other MMOs.

You simply don't need to communicate as much to be effective in open world content - positive or negative?

But each server is likely to be different.

So far with my limited play in Beta I love the co-op social play..  One early morning I started an event by clicking on the NPC to escort him.. Next thing I know, it turns into 2 people , then 4, then 6 and more.. By the end of the event there was close to 10 of us involved.. This I loved..  no one was yelling or bitching at others.. If someone goes down, which did happen, we quickly revived them.. FUN FUN FUN..

I hope that GW2 never loses sight of this ..

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Originally posted by BadSpock

But each server is likely to be different.

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Yup, we're already seeing very clearcut stereotypes for various servers.

Originally posted by star

This was something that was pretty inherent in the game's design philosophy. ANet in many many interviews and blog posts have inmuerated multiple times that they wanted to create a friendly/co-operative game envrionment (hence how mob tagging, looting, de/questing works), and, personally, think it's brilliant. They've really managed to make the game feel co-operative and social, without forcing it on you like games of old which required it because the content was.... maybe not challeneging, but unforgiving.

I think this is probably the biggest innovation/renovation/evolution of the genre that GW2 offers.

Well said! Especially the fact that you can not steal the mob really is a huge improvement IMO. Also the downed state really makes a lot of people help each other. I never so often saw people rez each other! So as I see it, GW2 really manages to make people cooperate more as usually in modern MMOs.

I love this about Anet, everything was designed to help promote community rather than diminish it, it's astounding that no one made their game like this before, trying to create a community with mechanics that make you annoyed to see other players? that should have died a long, long time ago.

Judging by this forum: NO.

GW2 only encourages a friendly atmosphere when everyone agrees that GW2 is perfect in every way.

Originally posted by Xiaoki

Judging by this forum: NO.

GW2 only encourages a friendly atmosphere when everyone agrees that GW2 is perfect in every way.

You obviously haven't played the game (and I step right into the trap!).

Originally posted by Xiaoki

Judging by this forum: NO.

GW2 only encourages a friendly atmosphere when everyone agrees that GW2 is perfect in every way.

What a silly comment.

First, that's not exactly how it is here...it is friendly here as well, except for when people are clearly baiting or spreading false information.

Second, anyone playing the game is not going to be misinformed, and unless they are rather dense, is going to actually...you know...like the game they are spending their time on.

So exactly how does that extend to any people not being friendly in game?

Man, dude...I get it, you aren't happy that other people have found something they are truly excited about.  But seriously, dragging the rain cloud around behind you is sad.

Originally posted by Xiaoki

Judging by this forum: NO.

GW2 only encourages a friendly atmosphere when everyone agrees that GW2 is perfect in every way.

^^^^ this 100% the second someone says anything neg in chat watch the chat fire up....

Originally posted by JimmyYO
You guys are seriously betting on a B2P game not turning into WoW chat? Don't ever gamble in Vegas, all I'm sayin.

If I see any channel in chat even remotely beginning to turn into WoW pathetic cesspool trade channel, you can bet your ass I'll be up in arms. But I think and certainly hope that the great people behind this game will not let that happen.

Like someone else mentioned, the way the game is designed where grouping isn't required, no kill stealing etc will encourage a friendlier atmosphere.

However you will still get idiots. After all, it is aimed at humans.

Originally posted by JimmyYO
You guys are seriously betting on a B2P game not turning into WoW chat? Don't ever gamble in Vegas, all I'm sayin.

hmm is this like saying not to bet on the gameplay won't turn into a WoW clone ?

I think it is possible that the gameplay would actual create a foundation for another vibe and feeling in the game , and that actual could inflickt the way chat would go. And i sure hope it would , because it would be a shame if Plains of Ashford should be the new barrens chat !

Originally posted by Amjoco
Gotta love it. Of course it's only BWEs we have played, but the entire time I played I had not one time seen a single curse word, a your momma joke, or anything like it. No chatter about other games and nothing negative about GW2 at all. It was a first for me in a beta not seeing any of this. I was part of the Tera beta and that was total WoW crossroads chatter. (nothing against Tera itself). Hopefully this is a more adult oriented mmorpg.

True, I didn't see any of that either...but to be fair, I didn't see a whole lot of chat at all about anything! I think the chat system in GW2 could be a bit better, and let you know a bit clearer what channel you're in or whats being said where. I found it hard to distinguish when someone was talking in /say or in /map. If it had channel names or maybe channel coloured text it would make it far easier.