All Posts by NoUrbanLight

I don't so much think at the heart of it all racism is the common factor in most of these actions. In my eyes, it's bigotry. Some people want to take out their aggression on something that reacts instead of something inanimate or productive like normal people, so they do so without caring about the consequences. The anonymity of the internet makes it even easier. Race is just one of the easiest excuses people have ever had. If a game had all the same races, they'd turn to bashing armour choices I bet. It's already close to that in Mexico.

Originally posted by Sheista ...

1. Muse

2. Modest Mouse

3. Tool

4. Radiohead

5. Queens of the Stone Age ...

In terms of genre's though, I have a bit of a mash of everything. There was a time when I thought I hated rap, or hated jazz, or similar such thoughts, till I finally realized I justed hated certain artists whom gave the genre a bad name to me.

Everything gets a chance. Anything thoughtful goes on the iPod. Whatever is made by an artist I respect gets a legit hard copy on the book shelf.

Glad a friend prodded me to get on or I might have missed this:

Gawd's I love a game company with a sense of humor, even if it does incite much rolling on the floor WTFery upon log in.

Anyone else have some some amusing shots?

You have some good concerns. All in all though, I think the class stereotypes aren't so much the issue.

The reason they get used over and over so often is due to them being based lightly on common archetypes that people really resonate with. A lot of people dream of being the dashing hero of the old stories, the caretaker they always return to, the wise one winning on wits... I think it just get's rehashed cause it goes back so far in stories. No one seems to get tired of Shakespearean stories no matter how easy it is to name the play when a new movie rips it off. What it really boils down to is using those archetypes in such a way that people still find the way to relate to them. People are infatuated with fantasy games right now, but it might not be that way later. Who knows when sci fi, dystopian, or steam punk suddenly gets noticed. Just have to keep up with the shifting opinions of the greater masses to keep making money. There will always be a healer whether they are called a cleric, medic, or field surgeon I think.

Originally posted by Godliest

 

 

I noticed that out of 8 links 6 of those are to mine posts, and in one I've made a response linking to Guild Wars Wiki, making it 6 ½! But if you're going to start add useful guides to gain money you could as well include this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one and this one.

Thanks for the links, always good to know what people find useful.

Anyone else have any contributions? More then open to reading them.

Originally posted by bigtime102

people ask questions because they want answers, not a research assignment

FAIL

Oh yeah, and I'm adding today the most direct Elonian Treasure Hunter Guide I've found yet. I highly doubt anyone new would or old alike would object to that. More money mean more buying and selling alike.

Originally posted by Godliest

I find only one problem with this post: That the most beginners usually tend to have problems with the GWWiki. I think you should create a few "good for beginners" links such as: Getting Started Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall. The thing with stickies is that they are intended to "catch" those questions which are mentioned all the time, and to do that you need to link to the answers to Guild Wars Wiki. Otherwise there is really no need for this as the links then as well could be posted in the only sticky we have now.

The current sticky is geared more towards new players, and this list just happened to personally occur to me as something I could have used less when I was new and more so when intermediate. I still haven't learned all there is to know about the game, and could easily start 5 threads a day asking questions but end up using google or guildmates instead. Others like a forum atmosphere more. Sorry if you find this inappropriate, I suppose it could just be merged. I just thought "Resources" for players who have gotten a feel for things might be useful instead of a "Walkthrough" or "Guide." You're quite right though that those beginners guides are good links.

Ok I know it won't stop some people needing help, but for all those many basic questions, there are many very thorough guides that would be an absolute shame not to use. The Guild Wars community works hard to put many of these things together, so I thought I'd compile a list where anyone new to the scene can find all the resources easily instead of only one or two popping up in specific threads. If I miss any good ones, feel free to reply so I can edit and add them to the list.

_________

The Official Guild Wars Wiki - The first and one of the largest wiki's dedicated to Guild Wars with a vast compilation of information on the game.

Guild Wars at GameWikis.org - An unofficial, yet highly favored fan wiki that closely rivals it's official equivalent due to keen organization and sorting making desire data easy to find.

---------- A Beginner's Guide to Guild Wars "Prophecies"

---------- A Beginner's Guide to Guild Wars  "Factions"

---------- A Beginner's Guide to Guild Wars  "Nightfall"

PvXwiki - A site devoted entirely to cataloging the best builds the hundreds of skills within the game can create with the 8 skill restriction.

Guild Wars Guru - A large and highly popular fan community that can help put you in touch with playersoutside the game.

---------- The Auction House at Guild Wars Guru

A Guide to Elonian Treasure - For owner's of Nightfall, a step by step guide to finding the treasure troves that without use of key of lock pick give lump sums of gold and a rare ( typically "gold") item. Complete with maps, location images, and suggested routes.

_________

Awesome stuff Godliest, all your posts I've seen are helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I toss my vote in as well to sticky this for the new players. Might also be worth adding a link to PvX so people can see how various builds can compliment each other and be adapted to custom situations. Also, for all the new players that think their secondary is forever and that's why they're going crazy with reaseach, if you find yourself ever hating your build, don't sweat it: after Ascension you can mix it up however you like, you just have to work to that point in the game.

It is a rash generalization, but most I've at least experienced do fear immaturity. I was even in a guild once a while ago where they put up an 18+ rule and simply grandfathered in me and one other member because they just plain got sick and tired of slogging through the numbers for the exceptions. One thing I WILL say is that I don't think age always dictates things of that sort. I once in that same game dealt with a 17 year old girl that was more mature then a 30+ man I'd met. That guild I was in found that having that rule in place actually made it easier to keep hurt feelings to a minimum: if the guild advisor thinks a person just plain isn't mature enough, just saying, "Sorry, you aren't old enough according to our rules," tends to cause a far less indignant reaction then, "Sorry, you aren't mature enough."

Funnily enough, one of the guilds I'm in on one game has two 15 year old members that are the absolute darlings of the group. Them being mistreated is one of the few things that can get us onto a PK server. We do watch our language around them though. <.<

I disagree about the recommendations, but that's likely cause most of the people I personally deal with are willing to deal with confusion for the sake of having the chance to actually keep up. I find a lot of the friends I get into guild wars love the fact that you aren't grinding to level 100 constantly being beaten on by the people that have been around since beta.

I also agree on Nightfall. The flow of the storyline and how you progress from point to point was a lot more refined from Prophecies. As great as Proph was, I got annoyed when I completed a mission then suddenly got dropped into a new town where I'd explored none of the surrounded map. Not to mention, I'm kind of partial to the Tihark Orchard mission. ^_^

Honestly, the game is so balanced that any profession will get you through the game at the same pace. What's best really boils down to picking one that matches your personal play style. Little details for example like do you like playing a point and click tank that can stand up to any mistakes like a warrior, or a really delicate but high damage wielding assassin that can be really powerful but easy to get killed? Even a specific build can of each profession will play radically differently. My Minion Master Necromancers takes out enemies in a far different way then my guild mate's Curse oriented Necromancer.

I create a frackton of characters on any game that I play, but I personally found that Guild Wars makes me feel the least guilty about it because the level cap is so low that I can actually hit it with each character and not depriving any one alter ego of valuable grind time that's being spent on a completely frivolous character. All of them get equal love and attention.

Originally posted by prox916

Ok, so from what I understand is that there is some shared game content like main towns and cities in all the GW expansions. (excluding the EotN) ps: correct me if my understanding is wrong

This is not the case. There is some shared content in base skills and the six core classes, but each campaign takes place on a completely different continent, so no shared cities. EoTN is the only one that is on the same continent of a previous game, Guild Wars Prophecies to be exact.

So the only differences is new starting points for the 2 new classes in each expansion, as well as the new skills that can be unlocked for them thru the new pve content (correct me if im wrong again)

The differences are highly varied from the additional classes, the addition skills, the new setting, and new culture and storyline.

the EotN is content for lvl 20 characters and is the true expansion of the game. (correct me if im wrong again)

 Yes, Eye of the North is the only "Expansion" in the traditional sense and can only be accessed if you character you are trying to cross over into it is level 20 which is the level cap.

so if i purchase proficies and eotn would that be enough to play?

That's plenty to play effectively, don't even really need EotN. Typical people finish one campaign at a time then buy the next expansion once finished. You don't absolutely positively need them all at once.

and with all the expansions can players who play with the expansions with those without the expansion

People can play with each other if they each have the same campaign and are both IN the same campaign. AKA, If you have Prophecies and Factions, and I have Prophecies and Nightfall, Proph is the only one we can actually play within together. If we tried to move the party to a campaign the other didn't have, the person lacking the content access would be dropped from the party.

(im guessing yes but jsut in the main towns and cities) and everyone can play in the eotn with at least one expansion

 Not everyone. Only those that have bought Eye of the North can actually get at it's content. But any campaign can be used as a jumping point into EotN.

please comment, and correct me please i am confused about this game i just quit wow and looking to start a new mmorpg

thanks

1) Everyone else has already said it, but indeed you only need to install one then just add the registration keys to the account you create. The system will walk you through it step by step. The reason you don't have to install the content off the disk is that once you clear your account as having access to it with the key, it'll download it as you enter each zone.

2) You are not missing any expansion. "Guild Wars" is "Prophecies."

3) Each campaign has "noob zones" of the proper level that teaches the basics of the game. You don't really need to worry about "building" towards PvP since you can create a max level player versus player character off the bat if you get impatient. If you REALLY want to take your PvE character over to PvP, just keep a few things in mind: Factions has the fastest rate of leveling, Prophecies is slowest but gains you more skills for no cost, and Nightfall is much loved for the access to heroes.

All in all, it doesn't matter which campaign you do first since all have individual stories. Eye of the North is the only actual continuation of a story, Prophecies to be exact. The others are not dependent on each other.

Which campaign to which campaign? Going anywhere from Prophecies, you have to be in Lion's Arch. Factions, you have to get the quests in Kaineng Center. Nightfall, you have to at least get to the Consulate Docks. You then from those locations have to get separate quests for each campaign you wish to go to.

I'm afraid I'm out of trial keys myself, but thought  it might be worth pointing out that the Trial DVDs of all three campaigns is dirt cheap last I was informed and easily attainable. This might be a moot point though if someone else here has a key.

Iiiiiiinteresting topic to go for. Billing practices are the quickest way to the black side of a customer's heart.

Above all, I'm wondering if such obvious, unscrupulous sales strategies are making the companies that use them more money than they can chase away with pure, money-grubbing intimidation.  Have you avoided a game because of dishonorable sales strategies?

Being a penny pincher... yes. I won't risk spending a cent on something that I don't know for a fact I can afford and will be worth it. All in all though, while it's just opinion based on likely biased information, I've seen people be a lot looser with their money. Buy product X from store 1 cause it's closer even though store 2 has X for cheaper... buy products from "item malls" in F2P games even though there's a 50/50 chance it'll be worthless... or just happen to go a few days over on their "trial." All in all, the average person would get miffed, but wouldn't really miss the $10-20 enough to throw any form of serious fit that would cost the company more then they are gaining from this practice. After all, proliferation of  free trial codes doesn't cost them very much and a lot of people jump on the chance because of the word "free."

To play devil's advocate though for the sake of conversation...

I could completely see a service justifying this automation as a convenience for subscribers. You can't bill everyone at the same time or one would complain that due to the time they subscribed they're being charged too early and aren't getting their money's worth. But if you handle it by account, someone might forget what precise time they signed up and paid and anyone would be displeased if they were cut off from the game whilst busy because the timer ran down.

But because I can't wear the neutral face forever, automated bill pay should always be an option left to the user to choose.

It should be noted though in DAoC's favor that I had a relatively easy time finding the info on how to cancel your account.

Anyone out there a Gametap player? I'm not personally, but I've seen enough complaints about them it might be a worthy contribution to the subject.

Originally posted by airhead

CONS: And what are the cons? I believe if you are going to say they must be minimized, then you should at least list a few don't you think? The only one I could think of, (you said think worst case), is that a pedophile acts like a female, induces some kid player to meet outside of game, then rapes and kills him (stuff like that).....

Ok. That's bad. Definately a con. How do you minimize that? You NEVER meet anyone outside of game without a group at a minimum, and you always assume that one's digital self image (using matrix terminology i think) has NOTHING to do with one's real life existence, (something numerous others here (not just me) have been saying over and over). The onus is on the individual, as it is with all social interaction (email, myspace, and MMOs). Of course we can find and lock up pedophiles and we should, but ultimately, we need to teach everyone, starting at age 2, to not talk to strangers....

What other cons or disadvantages are you referring to?

When assuming a gender, you will get automatically and unconsciously judged by it. Cons based on some of your own examples?

Let’s take the hypothetical of that teenage boy that’s been flirted with for stuff that has been brought up? Maybe he felt good? Maybe the experience suddenly gave him the confidence to face a real woman? Maybe the misconception got of how things work hurts his chances worse. Example I’ve experienced was a sweet but awkward boy who didn’t realize that just because the cute girl online was impressed by the shiny weapons he gave her, I was more interested in social graces then high level equipment.

On the predatorial note, it doesn’t even quite have to be that dramatic. One example I have some knowledge of but I’m not inclined to go into too much detail about involves cyber stalking. Simply boiled down to the fact that when the victim was on the look out for a man it’s just harder to spot them when they’re not in that skin. Even if the person doesn’t give away deeply personal or critical information, any contact still feeds the stalker’s obsession.

Another con that can be argued but is highly intangible is the idea generalized perceptions. By acting up stereotypes, you risk maintaining them when they aren’t necessarily true anymore. Manipulation of that sort still exists, but those that use it… well, it’s another gender gap closing.

I’ll try to do more when time isn’t so tight.

There are a lot of helpful threads on the same subject of the various expansions here, here, and here.