My daughter and I stopped playing weeks ago.  We had a great time for a while, but what I thought may happened ended up happening again.  We both got bored. 

The issue for me is that no themepark, no matter how beautiful or how well packaged, is going to cut it anymore.  I've tried.  I've bought almost everything that has come out in recent years, and was excited for each of them, hoping one could keep me interested for a long while.  The most recent failures for me were SWTOR, TSW, and now GW2.

They are great themepark games, and if you are someone who is faily new to the genre, or has not reached the repetiion burnout stage with themeparks, you will likely have a complete blast.  Looking back at those three games I mentioned, TSW was the most fun and unique for me.  It seems to be dripping with potential to be so much more than just another themepark dungeon grinder.

The strange thing between my daughter and I, is that the only thing shes knows about sandbox games, are anecdotal stories I share from time to time about Star Wars Galaxies.  Still, she has on her own, reached the point where themepark games quickly bore her after launch.  It's more of the same.  More contrived story and gameplay, more hand holding, more meaningless crafting which serves no real purpose in the game, more feeling like everyone else in the game, etc.

For me, I know how much more they could be, and that's what botheres me the most.  I really do give them a fair shake too, but it's just a formula that will no longer work for me.  I don't plan to buy any more themeparks after GW2 unless I hear of something truly extraordinary.  Until then, I will just keep an eye on the sandboxes being built, and play FPS games.

I think perhaps a potential problem with the game design is Anet built a themepark and expected people to play it like a sandbox. They want you to play it like a virtual world but it seems like people are frustrated that around every discovery or dynamic event, the wizard behind the curtain is not only exposed, he's on display with bright lights flashing. From what people are saying, it sounds a little like that could be part of the problem. People saying they cant explore or wander around without messages constantly popping up saying "an event is nearby" or "congrats! you found a secret cave!"

I also think that when your rewards for time spent and difficult content beaten is cosmetic, it deflates the experience. Especially since most other themeparks have costumes and dyes and wardrobes as a side feature that is easily accessible. Its like all that time spent for a new look? I create new wardrobes in my downtime in other mmos.

Originally posted by Foomerang

I think perhaps a potential problem with the game design is Anet built a themepark and expected people to play it like a sandbox. They want you to play it like a virtual world but it seems like people are frustrated that around every discovery or dynamic event, the wizard behind the curtain is not only exposed, he's on display with bright lights flashing. From what people are saying, it sounds a little like that could be part of the problem. People saying they cant explore or wander around without messages constantly popping up saying "an event is nearby" or "congrats! you found a secret cave!"

I also think that when your rewards for time spent and difficult content beaten is cosmetic, it deflates the experience. Especially since most other themeparks have costumes and dyes and wardrobes as a side feature that is easily accessible. Its like all that time spent for a new look? I create new wardrobes in my downtime in other mmos.

I guess that might be a case.

In Terraria (which isn't an MMO btw, it's sort of a 2D Minecraft, except it's more geared to the stuff you see in RPGs, while Minecraft is more like a blocky Garry's Mod IMO), my primary goal was to acquire more loot either to help myself against the hordes of monsters I found in the underground, or to enhance my house. However, if I wanted to go off the beaten path and go look for places in unknown and potentially dangerous areas, I could.

GW2 sorta tried to do this, but everytime I tried to go off the beaten path, it feels like a giant parade follows me wherever I go, and sorta make me feel like I'm never off the beaten path at all. It also doesn't help that the places that should be secrets rarely feel like secrets since there is a giant marker on the map showing their location.

If that makes sense.

Originally posted by Foomerang

I think perhaps a potential problem with the game design is Anet built a themepark and expected people to play it like a sandbox. They want you to play it like a virtual world but it seems like people are frustrated that around every discovery or dynamic event, the wizard behind the curtain is not only exposed, he's on display with bright lights flashing. From what people are saying, it sounds a little like that could be part of the problem. People saying they cant explore or wander around without messages constantly popping up saying "an event is nearby" or "congrats! you found a secret cave!"

I also think that when your rewards for time spent and difficult content beaten is cosmetic, it deflates the experience. Especially since most other themeparks have costumes and dyes and wardrobes as a side feature that is easily accessible. Its like all that time spent for a new look? I create new wardrobes in my downtime in other mmos.

Your last part nails it.  The carrot you chase in GW2 is often just fluff that is a side aspect timekiller in other MMOs.  That's the lack of progression people mention.  The other thing I find lacking is any large group, instanced PvE (raids, etc).  5-man dungeons and world zergs just don't fill that void for many of us.  Good game overall, much more tolerable if you approach it as a single-player console style game, but not something that has any long-term appeal.

Originally posted by Whiskey_Sam

Originally posted by Foomerang

I think perhaps a potential problem with the game design is Anet built a themepark and expected people to play it like a sandbox. They want you to play it like a virtual world but it seems like people are frustrated that around every discovery or dynamic event, the wizard behind the curtain is not only exposed, he's on display with bright lights flashing. From what people are saying, it sounds a little like that could be part of the problem. People saying they cant explore or wander around without messages constantly popping up saying "an event is nearby" or "congrats! you found a secret cave!"

I also think that when your rewards for time spent and difficult content beaten is cosmetic, it deflates the experience. Especially since most other themeparks have costumes and dyes and wardrobes as a side feature that is easily accessible. Its like all that time spent for a new look? I create new wardrobes in my downtime in other mmos.

Your last part nails it.  The carrot you chase in GW2 is often just fluff that is a side aspect timekiller in other MMOs.  That's the lack of progression people mention.  The other thing I find lacking is any large group, instanced PvE (raids, etc).  5-man dungeons and world zergs just don't fill that void for many of us.  Good game overall, much more tolerable if you approach it as a single-player console style game, but not something that has any long-term appeal.

I'm stil ltrying to understand though in any other themepark how are you rewarded for your time played? you get better stat gear to make your character stronger right? now what do you do with this better gear? do more of the same dungeons? you get top raid gear then what do you do? help others get their top raid gear?

I used to find this somewhat fun but after doing the PVP gear treadmill in Rift and getting top tiered gear It just lost all it's appeal to me and I never can see myself doing this sort of gear treadmill again in a themepark type game. It again comes down to what's the purpose of that carrot and to me themeparks don't offer me that purpose anymore.. so again for me it's not a GW2 specific issue as any of these games have the same issue in the end.. 

Originally posted by Whiskey_Sam

Originally posted by Foomerang

I think perhaps a potential problem with the game design is Anet built a themepark and expected people to play it like a sandbox. They want you to play it like a virtual world but it seems like people are frustrated that around every discovery or dynamic event, the wizard behind the curtain is not only exposed, he's on display with bright lights flashing. From what people are saying, it sounds a little like that could be part of the problem. People saying they cant explore or wander around without messages constantly popping up saying "an event is nearby" or "congrats! you found a secret cave!"

I also think that when your rewards for time spent and difficult content beaten is cosmetic, it deflates the experience. Especially since most other themeparks have costumes and dyes and wardrobes as a side feature that is easily accessible. Its like all that time spent for a new look? I create new wardrobes in my downtime in other mmos.

Your last part nails it.  The carrot you chase in GW2 is often just fluff that is a side aspect timekiller in other MMOs.  That's the lack of progression people mention.  The other thing I find lacking is any large group, instanced PvE (raids, etc).  5-man dungeons and world zergs just don't fill that void for many of us.  Good game overall, much more tolerable if you approach it as a single-player console style game, but not something that has any long-term appeal.

I think the problem with GW2 depends on who you are.  For me, the issues are much more fundamental, and have to do with the totally contrived and shallow gameplay offered by themeparks in general.  I've had the same problem in all of them over the last few years.  GW2 is very well made, but it still feels like more of the same.  I'm not looking for carrot and stick gameplay, at least not when it comes to loot or dungeons or whatever.  My carrot is having adventures with friends in an open, complex gaming world.

Originally posted by MindTrigger

 

I think the problem with GW2 depends on who you are.  For me, the issues are much more fundamental, and have to do with the totally contrived and shallow gameplay offered by themeparks in general.  I've had the same problem in all of them over the last few years.  GW2 is very well made, but it still feels like more of the same.  I'm not looking for carrot and stick gameplay, at least not when it comes to loot or dungeons or whatever.  My carrot is having adventures with friends in an open, complex gaming world.

i can see this and agree it is fundamentally a themepark game to many people have been playing themeparks for way to long.. but honestly can't say it's GW2 fault for being a themepark.. i came to my themepark burnout realization while playing Rift and while I really enjoy GW2 and think it offers enough unqiue gameplay to keep me around for awhile I still know it's a themepark and won't stick around forever unless some big patches come to shake things up

It's a good game but it's definitely lacking in the social aspects.  This is a major detraction, and I feel it more acutely as time goes on.  I like to immerse myself in a world, feel apart of it and the community.  I guess I'm still longing for that virtual world feeling that Precu SWG gave me, but in the meantime GW2 is a pleasant distraction that is gradually losing it's appeal for me. 

There's probably quite a few things for me that are putting some distance between me and my continued enjoyment. 

1) One is the disconnect i feel with my character.  She's pretty, but I hate not being able to wear what I want, ie appearance tabs.  The transmutation coins just don't do it for me, as an rp'er, because I'm still leveling and I can't justify using the coins only to outlevel my gear in a day and need to upgrade. 

2) Can't change my appearance.  I like to mess around with my hair styles, make up, maybe change facial parameters or something.  It's just something for me to do that doesn't affect gameplay really but I enjoy it.  I remember how much I loved my All Points Bulletin character.  Yeah there were some aspects of the game that made me miserable, ie hackers and cheaters, but I LOVED my character because I could make her unique.

3) Housing.  Again, not game breaking but it just gives me something to do because I'm not a raider and I am not a big pvper.  I lean more pve with some occasional pvp.  RP stuff just adds another dimension and gives me something to do to vary my activities and thus keep my interest going.  Yeah, I like to decorate, display my trophies and rare finds, etc.  Some people just don't get it.  I understand that, just like I don't like permadeath and full loot.  The differenc is player housing doesn't really affect the gameplay of others, it's more of a minigame that can keep the player busy and be shared with friends.

4) Loot has become very predictable and useless.  Everything I loot I just salvage, vendor or auction.  Nothing for me to use usually as auction prices tend to be cheap and I just buy rare gear now.  BUT if they added an appearance tab, finding cool graphic items for appearance sake would keep me going.

No game is for everyone though.  I'd be willing to pay for these items on the cash shop, since this game has no subscriptions if it was offered.

i think the lack of longevity stems from the lack of competitive pve.  in other games people look at dps meters and compare themselves to others.  they feel inclined to chase after the best gear in order to 'outplay' their peers.  people play games to 'win' and people like being the best at things.  gw2 caters to a co-operative playstyle that a lot of people arent used to.  there is nothing to get competitive about,  at least in pve.

pvp would be much better if the game had factions,  imo. 

Originally posted by Aerowyn

this issue is present in all themeparks.. whats the point of getting all that raid gear what do you do with it in raid based games? do more raids? whats the point in grinding out PVP gear in themeparks? stomp on lowbies? again it's really an issue with all themeparks in general.. it's basically themepark burnout..

 

meant ot quote part of the OP oops

it feels like there is no definite goal to work towards. The result is a feeling of pointlessness.

Agree.

This is also a case (because i never see posts like this in any other forums) of people using any excuse other then self reflection to blame everything else but their burnout as the problem.

I've never seen so much delusional thoughts until I came here. It's amazing what people will tell themselves to make their ego feel okay.

If the game didn't already have easy porting to other players, linking to the other players shard, grouping not being necessary but grouping is STILL in there, and the ability to have chat bubbles in group, the ability to be in not one but multiple guilds, if this game didn't have those things then maybe then I would agree that there isn't a social aspect of this game, but it DOES in fact have ALL these things to be a social game. Be honest people it's not the game. ;)

Originally posted by itgrowls

Originally posted by Aerowyn

this issue is present in all themeparks.. whats the point of getting all that raid gear what do you do with it in raid based games? do more raids? whats the point in grinding out PVP gear in themeparks? stomp on lowbies? again it's really an issue with all themeparks in general.. it's basically themepark burnout..

 

meant ot quote part of the OP oops

it feels like there is no definite goal to work towards. The result is a feeling of pointlessness.

Agree.

This is also a case (because i never see posts like this in any other forums) of people using any excuse other then self reflection to blame everything else but their burnout as the problem.

I've never seen so much delusional thoughts until I came here. It's amazing what people will tell themselves to make their ego feel okay.

If the game didn't already have easy porting to other players, linking to the other players shard, grouping not being necessary but grouping is STILL in there, and the ability to have chat bubbles in group, the ability to be in not one but multiple guilds, if this game didn't have those things then maybe then I would agree that there isn't a social aspect of this game, but it DOES in fact have ALL these things to be a social game. Be honest people it's not the game. ;)

i know what people mean when they want "meaningfull" interactions they want things like meaningfull territory control, more player driven content, more fleshed out guild features and such but overall this issue again is inherent to almost all themeparks

As aerowyn has said, it sounds like theme park burnout. Op, my suggestion is to play darkfall on nov20. It is different enough, brings back a feeling of danger and feels like the things you do are more meaningful.  With one character you are accountable to your actions as well.

you may also want to try eve. 

For gw2, I just like to enjoy itforwhat it is. 

Originally posted by QSatu
that's why i play games for fun. When I stop having fun I stop playing. Yea I'm that crazy! And it's sad that I am a minority apparently.

In my case, it's not about whether it was fun or not. I did get enjoyment out of the game, but a feeling of having both a lot of direction and not enough direction at the same time just made me feel a sense of pointlessness.

Originally posted by Enigmatus

GW2 has gotten kinda boring for me.

 

Before I continue, let me say this:

I never thought GW2 would be some kind of MMO revolution. I didn't think it was innovative or anything like that. I knew dynamic events weren't really dynamic.

I knew what I was getting, and I feel I did get my money's worth.

Now that that's out of the way...

 

I'm not 100% sure WHY I've gotten bored of it. It's become like WoW for me; I sorta wanna log in, but I'm not able to bring myself to do so.

It definitely wasn't community, since I generally almost NEVER talk to anyone unless I was really bored. I doubt it was SPvP or WvWvW, because I had never bothered to go in there in the first place.

I eventually came up with only one major reason I could think of that could have contributed to my feeling of ennui towards GW2.

Everything has a feeling of telling you what to do, but at the same time, it feels like there is no definite goal to work towards. The result is a feeling of pointlessness.

Unfortunately, I cannot figure out how to really explain this, and I really need to log off right now, so I'll add more stuff later.

 

 

I feel you man! I have consumed the game in 1 month. 2 weeks for lvling, 2 weeks for armor. 2nd month was slacking. PvE/WvW and now im off. I cba loging not even for TP which is a brilliant idea.

So, either we are 2 old for mmos, or GW2 doesnt have X factor but for sure its not complete. Maybe around Christmas when they will add more content, maybe in 1 year. 

What i really want is some kind of WvW Level 1-100. Every dude you kill gives you wvw xp. Every 10 levels you get a different rank, name. People love that shit!

Originally posted by Hefaistos

 

I feel you man! I have consumed the game in 1 month. 2 weeks for lvling, 2 weeks for armor. 2nd month was slacking. PvE/WvW and now im off. I cba loging not even for TP which is a brilliant idea.

 

So, either we are 2 old for mmos, or GW2 doesnt have X factor but for sure its not complete. Maybe around Christmas when they will add more content, maybe in 1 year. 

 

What i really want is some kind of WvW Level 1-100. Every dude you kill gives you wvw xp. Every 10 levels you get a different rank, name. People love that shit!

i'd actually be very surprised if something like this isn't planned for soon.. think they know people want more of this type stuff.. very interested to see what the big novemeber patch has in store

Originally posted by Yakamomoto
Expectations for this game just were way too high

Did anyone read my post carefully? I went in knowing exactly what to expect from the game, I just didn't think I could get bored like this.

im not going to complain about GW2. I knew it was a high quality themepark game going in and i definitely got my moneys worth.

the problem is that my mmo tastes have matured and i need deeper more complex worlds, and i think this comes to all players eventually.

The next wow could easily be the opposite of what wow is now because of this.

GW2 is a great game with lots of interesting concepts, but it is not a world.