Originally posted by Pilnkplonk

Jeez, this looks so much much better... wtf they don't have this on default?

Perhaps the term "beta-test" has something to do with it? ;D

They wanted to make sure it worked well before fully-implementing it...

I know shocking right? 

Originally posted by Drakynn

Originally posted by Aerowyn

Originally posted by Drakynn

Originally posted by Aerowyn

Originally posted by Drakynn
I predict that if GW2 playwer numbers are down after october that this event is the sole reason lol

why is that? event has been amazing especially once act 2 went in.. tower frustration maybe? lol

oh btw you guys see this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eCzRcwXJE8&feature=g-hist

Yup AI know several peopel who've blown off the Halloween event netirely because of Clocktower lol

 

lol that's silly if true as it's such a small part of it:P

but it's an essential part for completing the acheivwements and if they can't get 100% why bother at all.

Silliest post yet Clocktower isn't part of the overall Meta-Achievement - it's an achievement but not needed for the Event Completion Title

Be a Trendsetter!

Establish a strong Aussie community on Tarnished Coast! (We need more overnight players for WvW >.>)

Originally posted by grimal

Originally posted by Marcus-

bots... bots... bots.....

 

 In Ultima Online, miners would set up there house next to hills and they would have bots mine all night, in "the safety of their own home ruining the economy!! Everyone has a bots, miners suk!"

 In DAoC there were "buff bots", some were stationary, others "followed" you around, "ruining RvR", everyone has a bot!

 

 In WoW, "80% of the people in my BG R botz!1!1!1".

 

GW2 "For every 1 real player I ran into last night, I encountered 3-5 bots"

(as a few examples)

 

Bots have been around since the beginning, any game worth its salt is more than likely, going to have them, welcome to massively multi-player online gaming. Its unfortuante, but there it is.

 

Heres hoping Anet can put even a small grip on them..

Yes.  But bots have always been more of an issue in games w/o a subscription fee.

Wrong... Bots have always been an issue in popular, successful games.

WoW, Aion, L1&2, EVE, and GW1 - all suffered from them and most likely still do.

Originally posted by stratasaurus
I miss the days when quests were something along the lines of "find the roaming orcs to the north and get back the stolen necklace"  thats it, no map markers or quest helpers.  You didn't know if that meant 2 min walk to the north or 10 min to the north.  Sometimes you would end up fighting up the wrong group of orcs for a long time before you realized that wasn't even where you were suppose to be.  That was exploring.  And hey if you needed help you would have to actually ask other people and talk to them.

Or Alt+Tab, Google, and have the answer in 5 seconds...

Nothing wrong with nostalgia or enjoying the "glory days" of your MMO-youth, but there are reasons why many games have trended away from it. At least you can turn off the Map Markers in GW2 if you prefer.

Originally posted by AvatarBlade

Actually, once I hit DR, I even changed maps and still had DR on. And as I said before, don't think you can hit the 6k/30min DR by doing afk farming.

That sounds like you were hit by the bug that affected some people - not the system working as intended.

Originally posted by TeknoBug

^ I don't think they were botting/afk'ing for karma, they were botting/afk'ing for loot.

I think they were doing it for Karma, Gear, Gold, and XP.

Don't forget they sell "Leveling Services" as well. "AFK Leveling" would by far be the cheapest way for them to do it... 

and also sadly how some people will chose to "level" while in class/at work/asleep too.

Besides if you "roam around" or change dungeon paths you won't hit any of the DR so there's no need for "special adjustments" for Karma.

Originally posted by AvatarBlade
While I see how DR on money can be implemented for fighting bots, I really can't see the point of karma DR. Everything you buy with it is account bound and I doubt bots are farming karma, since the way they work is highly inefficient for farming it anyway. Unless they plan to make it so you can convert karma to gold, I see no point in having a DR on it, especially considering you need close to 1 million probably if you  want a legendary.

There are "Defense" DEs that people were Botting/AFK Farming for Karma so sadly no DR needs to be on Karma too.

Official Response from ANet:

---

Jon Peters We thought we should put in our 2 cents as well.
Guild Wars 2 is a game about freedom. We want you to be able to explore the world and engage in a huge variety of activities, focusing on whatever best suits your tastes.
Some players have run into “diminishing returns” thresholds we put into the game to provide a safety net against unanticipated economy-breaking issues. We do have these thresholds in place, but it’s not our intention that normal players should ever run into them. We’ve recently had bugs and imbalances that have caused normal players to hit thresholds, and we’ll fix those.

 

These systems are put in place to protect the economy from botters and exploiters. We will close exploits as quickly as we can. These thresholds help create a safety net to keep the economy safe when we aren’t there to deal with the offender. It’s important to have a safety net in place. It would be bad for everyone if, for example, a group of players learned how to speed-clear a dungeon in 5 minutes, with full rewards each time, and then repeated that continuously. When one activity emerges that’s order of magnitudes more profitable than anything else in the game, it forces everyone to either engage in that activity or get priced out of the economy.
While we need a safety net to stop unanticipated economy-breaking exploits and botting, we have no desire to stop farming. Farmers are a part every online economy and when they are doing normal game activity they do not cause any harm. If a player finds a normal game activity fun and would like to keep doing it, that’s fine with us.

Initially we have to rely on smaller data sets, instinct and some guesswork to find the correct cutoff. What this means is that some players are going to bump into the edges of these systems for a while as we get them sorted out. Please bear with us while we gather more data and lower the safety net until it’s only providing critical economy protection. Looking at the numbers this morning, we believe some of the threshold systems are just too harsh empirically and we’ll be adjusting those systems within the next few weeks to ensure that fewer legitimate players are being impacted.
I hope this helps to explain why a game like this needs systems such as this to protect its economy. I also hope it gives some insight into our philosophy about botters (BAD) and exploiters (BAD) vs. farmers (GOOD). Thanks for your support and we will see you in game.

Jon

---

So yes some legitimate players are hitting the DR caps but also yes ANet is aware of the issue and taking action.

E-87% S-47% K-33% A-33% according to that strange test that goes way over 100%

But yeah, I love GW2 and the answer is "in the E"

Originally posted by TheHavok

Originally posted by Aerowyn

Originally posted by TheHavok

A steady decline of Twitch viewers and streamers.  The Twitch community, atleast for GW2, tend to be more interested in PvP.  Since the PvP hasn't really gotten much love since the game came out, the decline has been rapid, even amongst the more popular streamers like Paradigm, Team Legacy, and Alpha Collective.

One patch can fix this (atleast for SPVP): add a ladder or ranking system, add an elo system to separate players into tiers based on their skill, tweak class balance, and BAM - interest will return.......hopefully.

these two have been in since launch unless i'm misinterpreting what you are asking for.

I have yet to see any kind of ranking system or elo system for SPvP.

I think they are revamping the system and we're supposed to see 2 Dev Blog posts this coming week highlighting the changes/additions coming to sPvP and hopefully rough timelines (I do know things include Rankings and "real" Tournaments, Spectator Mode, and GvG)

Originally posted by darkhalf357x

...But yes, as I moved up in level I didn't fully grasp the context or conflict of why I was running around doing the things I was doing (beyond the immediate need).  Now perhaps it was because I didnt talk to every NPC.  Or maybe I was too busy exploring to catch some meaningful text about the lore. I just felt like I was killing mobs just to kill them.  It didnt feel grindy. I enjoyed the combat but I just couldnt connect with my character why I was doing it.  Perhaps I didnt play long enough. I even rolled a Ranger alt and got him to level 5 or 6 before I started questioning my motivation.  Or maybe it was the reasons given were not realistic enough for me.  Like you I cannot explain it.  But it definitely prevented me from wanting to log on.

I just wanted to comment on this a bit because I think you hit on something important.

I've played through almost all of Prophecies, part of Eye of the North, and read both prequel Novels for GW2. Not only that, but as I play I approach each Zone (and sometimes sub-zones) with the question "now what is happening here?" I learned to listen to the NPCs and just think about what kinds of events I was getting caught up in and so I view each Zone as its own "mini-story" or at the very least having a "theme."

So when I play GW2 I think about how I which of the many challenges facing Tyria I feel like participating in that day. Do I want to help stem the Centaur Threats facing the Humans? Perhaps today I will face down the Sons of Svanir? Or return to my Charr Homelands to challenge the Flame Legion? There are also Skritt, Ogres, and Quaggan to help or sometimes oppose. And of course as I've learned more about Tyria (leveling up) I know that there are Dragons, Branded, and Undead to contend with.

Level Scaling means I can choose where I want to go. DEs mean I know roughly what challenges I will face but since I don't know who will be present, how many allies I will have around me, or exactly what the state of events are I find more than enough variation and "uniqueness" to the experience that it doesn't feel repeatative to me.

How attached you are to your character, to the world you are playing in and the activities taking place can have a big impact on how you feel about a game.

Originally posted by darkhalf357x

Thank you :-)

...and EverQuest works for me.

What I love about MMORPGs today is (abundance of) choice.

I agree, and want there to be more choice

I do find it a bit ironic that it took me 30 years to finally have a computer game more focused on my "narrativist/character centric" outlook, just so I can see a thread like this ressurecting the age old "Power-Gamer/Munchkin Vs Narrativist/Conception Based" RPG arguement.

I know that ANet is planning on adding more Weapons to the game and to Professions but the only hints I've seen of that are with Expansions.

There is a lot of potential for character growth and customization in the game. I'd personally like to see Support-Based Underwater Weapons as (at least on my Warrior) they are all Damage-Focused and I think there's a lot of room for growth there especially if they add entire underwater zones to explore.

While I understand people's complaints about "having all their Skills at lvl 7" I do get ticked off because Traits really play a huge role in how you conceive of and play your character. My whole playstyle and choices of Weapons and Utility Skills changed at 60 when I could unlock the final Tactics Traits.

From what I've heard about all the "1st Generation" of MMOs I think I'd most like to see Asheron's Call remade - it sounds like there were a lot of great features in that game many of which haven't been seen since.

I've wondered if people could even handle a Fantasy MMO with EVE-style character progression?

Like you I'm very interested to see where GW2 goes. Fortunately for me I'm really pleased with what I have now too!

Originally posted by darkhalf357x

Ive been playing RPGs since pen and paper D&D.  Its not power progression, but role playing progression.  The whole draw to the game was that you had a character you created (configured stats) and were able to experience its growth from a starting character to however you lead it.  You controlled the actions. Dealt with the consequences.

When this was implemented in video games (Dragon Quest 1986 being one of the first console RPGs) they translated this growth into level progression.  Growing from a lowly starting character into a hero that saved the world (based on your decision to raise your stats). These games loosely followed the D&D rule set. Strict classes. Alignment. etc.

Final Fantasy II (Japan) was the first console game I remember introducing the skill-based model which was more flexible.  Though a poor implementation it was interesting to have a character use any weapon or spell which only got better through use.

What has changed is how RPGs have been impelemted.  No longer are RPGs the staple stories we knew of the past (hero amnesiac who grows slowly over time).  Today a  First Person Shooter can be considered an RPG because it allows you to customize a character.  This isn't a true RPG in my book but rather a FPS that has elements of an RPG.

The length of an RPG (or even a game considered to have RPG elements) is difficult to define depending on how many secondary systems are included.  Skyrim is a perfect example. It could easily last for however long you would like to play.  Obviously in the long run it cannot compete with an MMO which are typically updated over time.  But Skyrim comes close with its DLC updates.  It also depends on the player.  A RPG is over when you feel you have accomplished whatever goal you have set for yourself.  Which could be the difference between a completionist and someone who wants to reach max level.  Like GW2, Skyrim truly 'begins' after you complete the main storyline which is purposely quick.

Lets not confuse getting a better weapon with character progression.  The former is an aspect for the latter.  A weapon doesn't grow the character does.

Another thing I noticed is that most 'standard' RPGs (for lack of a better term) are played at a slow pace which presents a certain style. GW2 speeds that 'style' up to be on par with action-based titles.  While playing GW2 slowly is an option of the player, I would say the gameplay style lends itself more to action which is some (perhaps small ways) takes away from the RPG feeling.

RPGs at their core are about conflict (internal or external), and how you as a character fit within in it and deal with it.  GW2 focuses more on the action (the execution of the conflict) than it does the consequence of the character performing it.  

As said before GW2 is a quality game that some will like, and others will not depending on where you sit on this argument.  The question I am seeing is if ANet meant to overlook the RPG portion of the MMO?  Future expansions will tell.  Im willing to hang out to see.

Really, really well said.

Even though my Warrior is lvl 79 I'm behind on my Personal Story. I only recently got inducted into The Vigil. I changed my Armor to match Vigil colors. I received no new gear upgrades whatsoever.

I felt a nice sense of accomplishment and character progression. GW2 works for me.

Originally posted by Aerowyn

game does need a trait saving system.. something similar to Rifts role system where you can switch from trait setups outside combat without having to go and respec at a trainer every time.

I'm pretty sure they've said they are working on this (Nadia prolly already has the quote bookmarked :D)

I remember reading that it wasn't working to the level they wanted it but GW1 has a Build Manager I fully expect to see one added to GW2 as well.

Originally posted by Iselin

Originally posted by Stx11

Are we playing the same game?

I run a Support Warrior build and as long as I'm active I get Gold easy, even with Buffing, Condition Clearing, and Rezzing.

It doesn't happen everywhere and only some types of DEs lend themselves to this--mostly the "defend" types. I see this happen routinely in my server in all of those particularly in the satrter areas and then again in the 75-80 and 80 areas. Static defense DEs are geting farmed...period.

Well if it really is a problem we know ANet will adjust things. They've already done it for Dungeons and WvW.

Don't see it as a major or gamebreaking issue though.

Are we playing the same game?

I run a Support Warrior build and as long as I'm active I get Gold easy, even with Buffing, Condition Clearing, and Rezzing.

Originally posted by GeezerGamer

 

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Originally posted by Eir_S

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Originally posted by Stx11 The game is both a critical and popular success. There was no "mass exodus" for MoP.

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This is the entire point of the thread.  This "mass exodus" simply didn't happen.  Show's over.

My personal opinion is that there was no exodus. That said, can you please show me your evidence to prove that it didn't? Let's see your numbers that allowed you to make the claim "Show's over."

As I recall, ANET expanded their server capacities in the early days to allow for the increased population levels. Although, I may be mistaken in that. Either way, It's a very common practice and all major MMOs constantly adjust the server population thresholds. The reality, is they are just not an accurate measure of the overall populations in terms of numbers but are only good for determining the relative populations against other servers.

Also, Xfire's overall numbers only reflect those players that actually use the software, so it's only a sampling that might be used to determine trends within the game, but the numbers are meaningless for the overall populations.

Well it's been awhile but I agree with everything you said Geezer! :O

The only "evidence" I have to go on is anecdotal - my Server is full of people. There are queues for WvW. LA and (this surprised me a bit TBH) the starting zones had Overflow yesterday.

I know the population is down because (thankfully!!!) I don't have to deal with 30-man Zergs in every zone with Overflow. I know a lot of the "locusts" moved on. But at the same time I still find people in every zone I go to, and always have 3-10 people around me when a DE pops. Honestly I find it a much better gameplay experience now! The game "feels healthy" and I can't say the same for SWTOR way back when.

One of the huge advantages I see in GW2 (and also more and more in RIFT) over WoW is the amount of content a player can participate in whenever they want especially at Max Level. I hope Storm Legion injects some life into a game that deserves it, and honestly I hope Funcom finds a way to sustain and grow TSW as I think it was a game that "deserved better" than it got.

Originally posted by bcbully

People said the same thing about WoW, RIFT, Swtor, and I said the same thing about TSW (I didn't, but I wanted too...) when the Xfire slide became apparrent. The writting is on the wall. The question is, where is the bottom? 

The only difference I see here Bully is that GW2 is still selling well, and that the Servers are still highly populated.

Now maybe that will change in a month, or maybe it won't.

GW2 is a different game designed for a different audience. It isn't designed for "endgame focused content consuming raiders" nor for "open world PvP" fans - two groups that I'd argue are really well-represented on X-Fire based on the top games. From sales data and popularity I expect there are a lot of very successful and popular games that simply don't trend well on X-Fire. GW2 might be the "X-Fire Trend Breaker" - that doesn't mean it will happen, but it is a definite possibility. 

One very important thing to keep in mind though - all those other games had to add Servers to handle the initial rush and were left with a lot of "ghost towns" after the locusts moved on. GW2 didn't. As long as Server Populations are high enough to participate enjoyably in the content provided the game is fine.