Curse

aapo · Apr 24, 2009, 03:23 PM // 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longasc

It somehow feels poorly copied, in WoW I did not get that feeling that I have to grind for something. And actually GW was supposed to be the grind free game, but many of our titles (WoW calls them achievements) are just nothing else and extreme grind.

- Whenever I log on, I start figuring out what to do. Yeah, I could continue grinding those EotN titles to get better PvE skills... for what? I could grind gladiator points one at the time... why, when there's better PvP games available? Looking all that stuff I've hoarded makes me feel stressed. I was going to mod this sword some day and sell these golds, farm those ectos halfway to FoW armor. Then I realize, hey I could have some fun in PvP. Off to find guilds full of idlers, jerks and other people you really don't want to hang around with. I could continue playing the single player game, but there's little point in that. Titles don't impress me one bit and AI offers no challenge.

Miss Puddles · Apr 24, 2009, 03:27 PM // 15:27

So why bother complaining about a game you seem to not like anyway?

Kattar · Apr 24, 2009, 03:30 PM // 15:30

Quote:

Hardly required any development resources.

I love it when people have no idea what they're talking about.

aapo · Apr 24, 2009, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by FengShuiDove

New rewards for old quests, TONS of new items, a stylist that's been desired forever, extra storage, free and buyable,

- Are these things to do? I've done the missions in normal mode, hard mode, with several characters and then some for title grind. Now they're promising some extra gold for doing it once more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FengShuiDove

a new collector that gives out high-end and otherwise unique items,

- Nicholas The Traveler? This was the best part of update. Bit of lore and variety of prizes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FengShuiDove

a whole new area of the game, entirely new character models...

- New area applies only to Rangers with pets. It was surprisingly well made though, considering how marginal use it will have for gameplay. Character models make no difference.

lewis91 · Apr 24, 2009, 04:04 PM // 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

I agree with OP. Also, it's a real hassle to get the 1 xunlai free slot through the NCSoft site.

Ya damn right. Been trying on and off for 4 hours now. Bugger it i've got a month to get it so il leave it a week or two.

gremlin · Apr 24, 2009, 04:37 PM // 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chico

Ignoring the stuff for sale on the store (that is not part of the _free big april update_) this is what we got:

1 xunlai slot for free - Thanks for that. Sucks that the rest are $10 a piece.

Menagerie - I guess rangers/beast masters will like it but non rangers/beast masters don't really get any benefit form this one.

Equipment slot grind - Can't be bothered to grind anymore. I'm done grinding.

New minis - Hardly required any development resources.

What else is in this update? I fail to see anything worth the wait. This is the smallest "big update" I've seen. Don't bother posting about the store updates. That doesn't count as 'content'.

So, what are we missing here?

Simple really all of the update content were things people asked for again and again in thread after thread till we were all mightily sick of them asking.

Now they should be happy More storage, character customisation and name changes, what really is the downside.

Ok it costs money but that's a small consideration given the amount spent on extra characters and GW accounts already.

Wampirate · Apr 24, 2009, 04:41 PM // 16:41

I didnt get extra storage slot for free. How did you get it?

Selket · Apr 24, 2009, 04:42 PM // 16:42

The best part of the update are the baby white crabs in the menagerie!

Covah · Apr 24, 2009, 04:57 PM // 16:57

Guildie said Max storage is now 2 mill. Anyone else confirm?

aptco09 · Apr 24, 2009, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wampirate

I didnt get extra storage slot for free. How did you get it?

http://www.guildwars.com/products/ex...orage_pane.php

TheodenKing · Apr 24, 2009, 05:09 PM // 17:09

I like the increased storage. That was very much needed for those of us that have been playing for close to 4 yrs.

I like the menagerie. I don't know if I'll do much with it, but I do think it's cool. My rainbow phoenix now has a bigger place to frolic.

I like the zaishen quests. It will be easy to find pugs for the missions-of-the-day, and the rewards are more than just the coins.

I like the new options for make-overs. I like that you can preview without buying the packs. Hilarious.

I DO NOT like the cost for extra storage and makeovers and name changes. They made it pretty steep, and they are counting on those of us that are addicts that can't help but pull out our credit cards. They could have made the prices more reasonable. What they did will only make me more willing to choose another next-gen mmo available at the time gw2 is finally released.

pumpkin pie · Apr 24, 2009, 05:11 PM // 17:11

the free xunlai tabs is not free, you just traded your Personal Information for it lol :P

veteran_player · Apr 24, 2009, 05:18 PM // 17:18

I agree that the update is mostly empty.

The biggest part of the update was to the store and most of the "Free" stuff the update included is obviously provided more to encourage people to go and pay real money for the new stuff in the store. IE; Here is the new pet menagerie, for only 9.99 you can unlock X content.

The Zaishen quests don't actually add any gameplay content to the game they just offer some new rewards. The rewards themselves are mostly kind of lame, it seems a little ridiculous that you have to do that much grinding to get a max storage bag that can only hold certain items. I think the reasoning behind them is less about the rewards and more about trying to encourage players to go and replay areas and quests that are not done very often. I would have preferred they did something to make the areas more fun. Teamplay died when Ursan Blessing was released and if this brought it back I would be pretty happy, but it really isn't anything new.

Nicholas The Traveler is definetly the biggest free thing. His weapons and Mini-pets will be worth a nice penny in game for a couple weeks. He also signifies the new mentality of Guild Wars as a daily grind, Log in, go kill weak enemies for 20 minutes to an hour and get a reward that will usually amount to nothing; but has a very slight potential to be worthwhile if you are very lucky. The rewards have nothing to do with skill or gameplay, just luck. I am sure a new market will emerge for farmers, I can imagine the items Nick is looking for going for 2k a piece for awhile ..............

The "FREE" storage pane is not really free. It is just a way for A-net to get players to make accounts with thier stores. It is not really a gift, it is similar to many offers you see on every store site across the internet, IE Amazon.com giving you a certificate for "Free shipping" up to 50$ on your first order if you sign up for an Amazon account or you car insurance company giving you a 20$ gift certificate for taking a survey. It is a way for them to get you to go to the store and set up an account. If it were a gift it would not have to be claimed...... it would simply be given.

The 4th year mini-pets will change the economy a little, people like me who are getting a bunch of them will make some decent money, others who started a little later will make considerably less but it will be something, this is the same as other years and not particularly exciting.

The Birthday celebration will cause a ton of lag make it impossible to find parties for non b-day related activities and create a market for cupcake dealers which is the same as other years.

I think it is both insulting and irreverent that A-net charges players 15$ to change thier character name and 10 bucks to change thier appearance. Thats less of a gift and more of a slap in the face.... especially since there have been several changes to the models and textures used for some of the characters. My Rangers hair didn't have a seam in the back of his head when I made him, but he does now.........

A-nets official Guild Wars site says:
"This update reflects our warm and heartfelt thanks for your dedication over the past four years. We couldn't have done it without you. Enjoy the celebration!"

What is it they mean exactly ? Are they talking about the fact that they have included new ways to spend actual cash on game items.......... or............. what ?

I am kinda bummed that we still have no place to store the 4 million books we have to carry everywhere. All in all I think this is the crappiest Birthday update ever. It is just a rehash of old stuff and an offering of crappy rewards to do the things that no one wanted to do in the first place because they were poorly designed.

I played GW every single day from the day Prophecies was released till Ursan Blessing took hold a week or so after the release of EoTN. I haven't played much since then, I had thought this update was going to be some UBER reason to start playing regularly again.... but beyond selling my 4th year mini's and saying hello to the others that quit when Ursan took over who are coming on to check thier B-day presents....... There is really nothing here of interest.

DreamWind · Apr 24, 2009, 06:34 PM // 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

Right now they are funding the development of Guild Wars 2 without the release of another chapter to funnel money into the company.

They have the funds...its called Guild Wars 1. These microtransactions are simply a money grab. There was recently a rather large thread proclaiming "Guild Wars is alive!" and pointing to the numbers of unit sales and the numbers were still pretty damn high (even I was surprised). They just recently passed 6 million copies sold. They have the revenue for Guild Wars 2. The were thinking about Guild Wars 2 long before these microtransactions popped up so they had the revenue then as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

I would also imagine a lot of this is trailing ideas for Guild Wars 2, more than actually trying to squeeze money out of the Guild Wars community.

Which makes it even worse. I don't want it now, I certainly don't want it in Guild Wars 2 when it is likely to be worse instead of better. You have to ask yourself...if these things are being sold in Guild Wars 1 what else could possibly be sold in Guild Wars 2? Obviously much more will be sold, since there seems to be some support for it in 1 and because they have seemingly abandoned their old model which will likely also occur in 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

If you can tell me another MMO of the class of Guild Wars that does not use a monthly fee sub model and provides these updates for free I would love to see it.

Not neccessarily MMOs, but a lot of games that require nearly as many resources and have many more players. Not to mention most decent competitive games (thats another story altogether). You know as well as I that there are very few MMOs in the class of Guild Wars. The entire point of Guild Wars was that is was different than all the other games out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

Actual game content should always be free. The reason I don't object to the microtransaction based content is that it is all optional. You can have a perfectly good experience of the full game without spending a penny over the box price.

??? Content has always been sold in the form of Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall, and EoTN. That was the model they were going with. When they gave us things like Sorrows Furnace and MOX for free I was the first to commend them because I thought they would be buyable....and now that I look back I would be much happier with those being sold and these being given to us for free. These are much more trivial things that are being sold now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

I agree there is functionality they are selling now that would have been great were it included from the start, but it wasn't, and there's no point crying over spilled milk. Maybe more of it will be included for GW2.

Doubtful considering the support for what is not included in 1 (except for a price). The only thing they have announced that will be free in GW2 is UAX, but I'm actually starting to doubt that now. I would strongly bet that it will only be like half UAX or no weapon unlocks (because that will be purchasable). Nevertheless, even you can admit that UAX should have always been free, and it is perfectly ok to say they screwed the pooch on that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

What you have to consider is that I don't think there is any way they could have developed this new content at all if there was no way they could get money from it. The microtransaction based parts of this update probably funded development of the free part of it too.

Except that they were giving us free content long before microtransactions, and this isn't content. The only good economic argument I've seen for this is "the economic downturn forced it" which is basically the argument for every economy in the world going in debt at the moment. So be it I can't argue against that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

Pass a dunce cap this way then, because it is optional.

You say that they should use microtransactions for content updates, and that would be fine. I am telling you that they fund the content updates by using microtransactions for other things.

How that doesn't seem preferable to you I don't know.

I have stated before why the optional argument is bad in detail in other threads, but I will sum it up here. People are saying "it is optional" and wandering off as if they win everything is ok in the world. The problem is these same people could use that argument for ANYTHING ANET DOES OR ANYTHING IN THE GAME. Ursan? Optional. Inbalanced skills? Optional. Anet selling stuff we have wanted for years? Optional. Anet selling competitive advantages? Optional. I hope you see where I am going with this. Again...you have to ask yourself where it ends if you support this now.

Lastly, just from a personal standpoint. JR I really can't believe you support this. Maybe I'm the crazy one here. You say they use these microtransactions to fund content. Fine (even though I disagree with it)...but what about the shit job they've done with PvP over the years? Honestly I'm surprised you even still support this company after all you have seen. You can post again and tell me how wrong I am and that I am delusional (which is fine because maybe I am?!), but coming from someone who I know wanted GW to be a competitive game, I really can't believe you support this.

And finally...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hissy

So maybe it's time to take a step back, and accept that many people don't care / don't agree with your point of view, and never will regardless of how long you keep banging on and on about it?

Get back to us when you post something useful. Welcome to forums.

deadman_uk · Apr 24, 2009, 06:34 PM // 18:34

Good update, very pleased!

BenjZee · Apr 24, 2009, 06:36 PM // 18:36

I dunno if its just because im not used to it but the storage tabs look funny like that...i recon the top ones should like hide behind the bottom...and you rushed them too much they didn't use the shift key and captials on pet names.

nvm also quite a few unmentionable changes...minis looks awesome

ps hi linsey

veiwin these lovely comments

Tom Swift · Apr 24, 2009, 06:37 PM // 18:37

Kind of luke warm about most of the update

Not going to buy anything from online store anyway - so all of that is kind of blah to me.

Zaishen quests and equipment bags - way too expensive for me, pretty much decided I'll just go with a light bag and leave any other armor on my mules. not interested in replaying over and over things I've already done multiple times for such small reward/play time results.

New trader - not bad, but I'm not really wanting to turn into a bunny or get another mini pet. I do like the kegs of ale, the disco balls. The mercantile summoning stones are nice too - don't have to return to town to sell gold items from the vaettrs, just call my own personal merchant.

So, pretty much looks like I'll just stop by Nick once a week and skip the rest.

Empress Amarox · Apr 24, 2009, 06:41 PM // 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covah

Guildie said Max storage is now 2 mill. Anyone else confirm?

DENY:

S/he lied to you.

BenjZee · Apr 24, 2009, 06:52 PM // 18:52

I'm still struggling to get my free slot of storage....

site overload

Shemsu Anpw · Apr 24, 2009, 07:17 PM // 19:17

There have been Micro -Transactions in GW since the begining: Unlock Packs, Character Slots, ect. Just casue you ignored them do not make them any less real.

I hope they do not Fix the coin storage bug, so that the PvP mission cannot be abused the system by deleating and rerolling.

The grind has always been there...ALWAYS. You just didn't see it at first. Repiticiously Attacking, Spelling, Hexing and Healing. The hallmark of this genre of game is Grind. Accept it and get over it.

Sorry if this is a bit short the other post I did took over an hour on the first post at work and I guess Guru timed out casue it disappeared, so GRRR!