The lifeblood of any MMO is the ability of the developers to give players game play experiences that keep them coming back, chief among them, a living, breathing storyline. We take a look at how ArenaNet can and should do this in Guild Wars 2. Read on!

I love the way the world actually has a story, and that you can see that story unfold.  The use of Dynamic Events allows you to help change this world.  And it’s not just happening because an NPC said it did, you actually saw the event take place.  Stories like this are spread out throughout the world.  ArenaNet is now taking the next step by having one huge story take place in Tryia: they call it The Living Story.

Read more of David North's Guild Wars 2: The Neverending Story.

Imagine being so immersed in a game, you can feel yourself becoming one with your character.

This is a great concept and it creates a real history that long term players can be part of. I always hated clearing instances in WOW, being told we did something amazing, then doing it again as if it never happened. It also creates a desire for players to continue experience content because they might never come back again, vs the current state of tread-milling the same hearts and spawns.

"I love the way the world actually has a story, and that you can see that story unfold. The use of Dynamic Events allows you to help change this world. And it’s not just happening because an NPC said it did, you actually saw the event take place. Stories like this are spread out throughout the world. ArenaNet is now taking the next step by having one huge story take place in Tryia: they call it The Living Story."

It's a shame everything said here doesn't actually translate as magically as that while you are actually playing. This is why GW2 has been accused of hype. The phasing in WoW has more impact on the world around you than DEs in GW2 do. Let's hope this 'Living Story' is better....

So far, the downside of the living story for me is the fact that you're tasked with putting up signs, lighting fires, and healing wounded refugees 75 times for a title. But what I do like is the intent: you see steam coming from a mountain, an event happens in the area where you must clog the vents, you see more and more people appearing in major cities to get away from whatever's going on in their homes.

They're working towards something, but it's a passive story you just sort of watch right now.  Hopefully, in February's content, it'll be more interactive.

Originally posted by BillMurphy

So far, the downside of the living story for me is the fact that you're tasked with putting up signs, lighting fires, and healing wounded refugees 75 times for a title. But what I do like is the intent: you see steam coming from a mountain, an event happens in the area where you must clog the vents, you see more and more people appearing in major cities to get away from whatever's going on in their homes.

They're working towards something, but it's a passive story you just sort of watch right now.  Hopefully, in February's content, it'll be more interactive.

xcly.

Originally posted by BillMurphy

So far, the downside of the living story for me is the fact that you're tasked with putting up signs, lighting fires, and healing wounded refugees 75 times for a title. But what I do like is the intent: you see steam coming from a mountain, an event happens in the area where you must clog the vents, you see more and more people appearing in major cities to get away from whatever's going on in their homes.

They're working towards something, but it's a passive story you just sort of watch right now.  Hopefully, in February's content, it'll be more interactive.

Yes I agree with this 100%.

I agree with Bill and others.  I think the Living Story is the right direction as it sounds great on paper.  But they must take care with its execution.

The existing lore in GW2 is not too immersive (to me) and could use some depth.  I am not sure if its the simple dialogue or the lack of drama in the conflict.  Everything just comes across as one dimensional.

Looking forward to what this Living story will bring... 

A lot of bs!

Why is it that we can destroy a trebuchet, then as leaving, you get halfway down the hill that it is on you get fired  at by it again?

With 5 level 80 chars, and nothing worth while left to do, I'm over GW2 and already looking for another game, maybe neverwinter will have what I need without the pathetic level capping!

Originally posted by zastroph

A lot of bs!

Why is it that we can destroy a trebuchet, then as leaving, you get halfway down the hill that it is on you get fired  at by it again?

 

With 5 level 80 chars, and nothing worth while left to do, I'm over GW2 and already looking for another game, maybe neverwinter will have what I need without the pathetic level capping!

umm nw has a level cap.. and if you have 5 level 80s i'd say you play gw2 way to much:)

Originally posted by Aerowyn

Originally posted by zastroph

A lot of bs!

Why is it that we can destroy a trebuchet, then as leaving, you get halfway down the hill that it is on you get fired  at by it again?

 

With 5 level 80 chars, and nothing worth while left to do, I'm over GW2 and already looking for another game, maybe neverwinter will have what I need without the pathetic level capping!

umm nw has a level cap.. and if you have 5 level 80s i'd say you play gw2 way to much:)

Then I guess I will not be playing it either!

Anyone who complains about GW2's living story should be beat with a baby seal. 

It is basically a story by chapters... the prelude is but the first chapter. A little background into the story... 

If you think you are going to get the full story in the next update... don't even log in. I see the events as a progression of the lore in little samples... eventually after 6 months to a year the world will change. 

That is a much better concept then large massive patches every 6-9 month.... rather have smaller content patches every month to advance the story.

The problem is most people just "OMG EVENT, MUST GET IT ALL DONE IN 3 HOURS!", instead of taking the enjoyable path.

Originally posted by fs23otm

Anyone who complains about GW2's living story should be beat with a baby seal. 

It is basically a story by chapters... the prelude is but the first chapter. A little background into the story... 

If you think you are going to get the full story in the next update... don't even log in. I see the events as a progression of the lore in little samples... eventually after 6 months to a year the world will change. 

That is a much better concept then large massive patches every 6-9 month.... rather have smaller content patches every month to advance the story.

The problem is most people just "OMG EVENT, MUST GET IT ALL DONE IN 3 HOURS!", instead of taking the enjoyable path.

LOL.... anyway i do agree i like the gradual over time change like i said earlier ANET seems to like to start off slow and really ramp things up on patches so i'd expect the next chapters to be much much more invovled

Originally posted by mistmaker
sorry, but gw2 isnt a good example for story. TSW has good stories.

but i like to hear a good conversation between my character and the npc in GW2. Not facerolling while somebody talks to my character like in TSW. But yes i agree that TSW has a great lovecraftian story

Originally posted by Vhaln
Dynamic events, living stories, but there's nothing living or dynamic about any of it, when it's so entirely scripted.  It's like their vision and their implementation are pulling the game in opposite directions.

when i finish a dynamic event and a couple minutes later it starts again the same way i tend to agree with what you said. Of course theres room for improvement here. Maybe they can change it in a way that after you save the town from the minotaurs, they dont just come back the same way they did before. Let the event evolve into a bigger conflict that could even extend beyond that town. If a player missed part of it, he missed it for good but still can experience the outcomes of that event.

Also maybe the event restarts a few days later? thats a lot better than restarting few minutes later.

Originally posted by mistmaker
sorry, but gw2 isnt a good example for story. TSW has good stories.

But this post wasn't about TSW ....