There should be no doubt that GW2 was the most influential mmorpg of 2012. Many people were talking about how the game is evolutionary, and a welcome breath of fresh air to the genre. It's won multiple awards like IGN's Best PC Game, IGN's Best PC MMO game, IGN's Best PC Graphics, Massively's Best MMO of 2012, MMORPG.com Most Innovative, Gamespots PC game of the year, Time' s #1 game of the year, and more recently PCGamer's MMO of the Year! There is no denying that GW2 has grabbed a lot of attention, and the loyal fanbase is growing each and every day!

GW2 is the most talked about game on this site still, even after almost 5 months since release. It's the most talked about game this week, and the most talked about game this month. GW2 has more than 3 times as many hits as the next closest game over the last 6 months, and more than 3 times as many hits as the next closest game over the last year.

[mod edit] [My edit to maintain paragraph integrity - Some people post negatively about GW2 yet,] I want to thank them too. They really prove how influential the game is. People don't write and talk about meaningless things of little importance. People write and talk  about things that affect them or concern them. Each and every thread, each and every reply is another hit on the popularity scale for GW2.

Each post is a testiment to the influence that GW2 has within the genre, even if it is a hate post. This game IS the game worth talking about, and when developers are looking for what games to follow into the future, the most talked about game is a good choice.  I look forward to a brilliant future for mmorpg's, with GW2 lighting the way.

EDIT: And if you feel like arguing with me, and telling me I'm wrong, or if you feel like telling me how much you like the game. Keep on speaking. Keep on saying how you feel and lets keep GW2 leading the way through 2013!!!

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't wait to see what features of GW2 Blizzard puts into WoW.  Then all the WoW fanbois will be saying look at the new features that Blizzard developed.

on a serious note, I agree with you boxsnd, it's way too early to say that GW2 is the most influential.

I played it for about two and a half weeks.  I enjoyed the art direction and the fact that it was very well done from a technical standpoint (it pretty much worked from day one).  But there was no real depth to any of the core systems. 

Hearts were just your basic quests without a start NPC or a set number of mobs to kill.  It was still Kill these or collect these type of things....every single quest was this way.

You expored things once....and only once, to fill your sheet thingy.  Loot was dull and boring.  I never got the feeling I got when I first got a Dragoon Dirk from Crushbone.  Level 10 sword was a little bit better than a level 9 sword, while not as good as a level 11 sword.  Crafting was boring WOW type.  PVP was instanced and really meant nothing in terms of the world.  The Dynamic events meant nothing either, as they would eventually reset.

Had I never played original Everquest, or Ultima Online or Star Wars Galaxies or EVE I think I would have really enjoyed Guild Wars 2.  But I did play those games and when I compare actual substance and complexity of game systems (whether it was SWG and EVE crafting, or EQ's group content or UOs total world) GW2 does not even register.

The MMO genre just does not evolve like other gaming genres.  I am tired of WoW clones, or GW2 clones or whatever.  I want a game with systems that have actual depth, like SWG's crafting.

GW2 is neither evolutionary nor revolutionary, that is the problem.

I think it definitely influenced Funcom's direction and shape of their new business model with TSW.

We will see how it influences future development and design changes.

Originally posted by Latronus

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't wait to see what features of GW2 Blizzard puts into WoW.  Then all the WoW fanbois will be saying look at the new features that Blizzard developed.

on a serious note, I agree with you boxsnd, it's way too early to say that GW2 is the most influential.

jumping puzzles are coming to WoW as per leaked PTR achievements.

also the big MMO release of 2013 features gameplay based on public events out in the game world which replace quests(not public fed ex quests liek WAR, these are more in the vein of events), sharedloot/exp for all kills, shared resource nodes and cross class combos.

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't see any other game, from last year, that other companies will be influenced by. I am happy that there is no trinity as I am bored to death with that simplified game mechanic. It was used a crutch for too long.

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't see any other game, from last year, that other companies will be influenced by. I am happy that there is no trinity as I am bored to death with that simplified game mechanic. It was used a crutch for too long.

Isn't the homogonization of classes into builds that can complete every task necessary in groups just as boring?

Originally posted by Lawlmonster

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't see any other game, from last year, that other companies will be influenced by. I am happy that there is no trinity as I am bored to death with that simplified game mechanic. It was used a crutch for too long.

Isn't the homogonization of classes into builds that can complete every task necessary in groups just as boring?

isn't the "OHH look I can tank" - "ooh look I can heal "- "ooh look I can DPS",  a little simple minded?

The classes aren't homogenized as much as they cross over a bit - it is just a different way to play.

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't see any other game, from last year, that other companies will be influenced by. I am happy that there is no trinity as I am bored to death with that simplified game mechanic. It was used a crutch for too long.

How on earth is all-dps more complex than the trinity? 

I agree that it will be influential in the years to come. I am not sure if it has been the most influential yet, but it is close. The most influential part now is that two games are essentially going B2P as a result of the success ArenaNet is having with their business model. You can also see some of the F2P models loosening up the reins; so to speak. Gw2 is defining what people expect from future games and things like the inclusive nature of the game will have a direct impact on future games. You can already see tons of games pulling out the 3 faction pvp as well as better level scaling. Not to mention ESO's version of WvW/RvR will have level scaling as well, similar to WvW. Alot of games have removed the concept of "tagging" creatures as well as incorporating ways to reward players for contributing to any encounter. (Elder Tokens in WoW) Even Fractals have contributed towards a never ending difficulty progression dungeon with Tera's new dungeon. ESO not having the same trinity as normal. (no aggro)

Right now I feel like the game has the opportunity to change the MMO genre depending on where they go from here. I think sPvP might be huge if it gets a better progression system and more E-Sport support. This could influence other MMOs to do similar things with it. People even question now, on a regular basis, the justification of "gearing up" for PvP in other games. This has resulted in smoother gearing curves and easier acquiring of high end gear. 

The biggest influence short term though is certainly the payment model. How can anyone justify a sub now when there is another MMO that you pay the same for the box for and don't pay one for a game that offers monthly content? This means that any sub based game has to offer content on a monthly basis that is consistantly higher quality and provides more content then GW2 in order to justify it. GW2 is possibly the nail in the coffin for sub based MMOs if you ask me. 

Originally posted by boxsnd

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't see any other game, from last year, that other companies will be influenced by. I am happy that there is no trinity as I am bored to death with that simplified game mechanic. It was used a crutch for too long.

How on earth is all-dps more complex than the trinity? 

It is not ALL DPS and that is where you are having issues.  With all of my characters I do a little but of it all. and you have to in GW2. If you went all DPS, you would besically be dead 95% of the time.

The trinity is simple-minded because ALL THE TANK DOES IS - DUH TANK, ETC. It is such a not complex game mechanic and that is why it first came out - it was the simplest type of game mechanic to create.

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by Lawlmonster

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by boxsnd
Not so fast GW2 fan! If in the near future we see other MMOs adopting things like no trinity, the downed mechanic in PvE and PvP, hearts and dynamic events, overflow servers etc then we might say it's influential. Until then, patience.

I can't see any other game, from last year, that other companies will be influenced by. I am happy that there is no trinity as I am bored to death with that simplified game mechanic. It was used a crutch for too long.

Isn't the homogonization of classes into builds that can complete every task necessary in groups just as boring?

isn't the "OHH look I can tank" - "ooh look I can heal "- "ooh look I can DPS",  a little simple minded?

 

The classes aren't homogenized as much as they cross over a bit - it is just a different way to play.

Right, which is why I'm questioning how one could possibly be less boring than the other, aside from being over exposed. They're essentially the same thing, other than being divided by classes into more specific roles or having a majority of jobs contained within one another.

Originally posted by koboldfodder

I played it for about two and a half weeks.  I enjoyed the art direction and the fact that it was very well done from a technical standpoint (it pretty much worked from day one).  But there was no real depth to any of the core systems. 

 

Hearts were just your basic quests without a start NPC or a set number of mobs to kill.  It was still Kill these or collect these type of things....every single quest was this way.

 

You expored things once....and only once, to fill your sheet thingy.  Loot was dull and boring.  I never got the feeling I got when I first got a Dragoon Dirk from Crushbone.  Level 10 sword was a little bit better than a level 9 sword, while not as good as a level 11 sword.  Crafting was boring WOW type.  PVP was instanced and really meant nothing in terms of the world.  The Dynamic events meant nothing either, as they would eventually reset.

 

Had I never played original Everquest, or Ultima Online or Star Wars Galaxies or EVE I think I would have really enjoyed Guild Wars 2.  But I did play those games and when I compare actual substance and complexity of game systems (whether it was SWG and EVE crafting, or EQ's group content or UOs total world) GW2 does not even register.

 

The MMO genre just does not evolve like other gaming genres.  I am tired of WoW clones, or GW2 clones or whatever.  I want a game with systems that have actual depth, like SWG's crafting.

 

GW2 is neither evolutionary nor revolutionary, that is the problem.

There is great depth to this game and you have to take some of the blame for not digging deep enough to see it. The game isn't blameless, I guess, since it doesn't spoon feed everything to players. I think your habits and expectations of how to play an MMO, based on your time playing WoW, EQ, et. al. may also have blinded you to what the game does offer. So, indeed, you may have loved GW2 if not for those other games; not because GW2 fails the comparison, but because those games made you a "lazy gamer" who has lost any sense of curiosity and discovery. That exploration to you was nothing more than a checklist and you saw no value in exploring the world beyond zone completion is proof of what I say.

That's the thing about evolutionary/revolutionary advances. Many people are so stuck in the status quo that the can't appreciate or accept the revolution and may actively oppose it because change makes them uncomfortable.

No game is for every player. This isn't the game for you at this point in your life. That doesn't mean it isn't a great game or that it won't have a major influence on the genre moving forward.