Curse

Fitz Rinley · Oct 07, 2007, 04:41 PM // 16:41

There is some large or vocal group that believes that a casual player is someone who only logs on for a few hours a week or month. That a casual player is someone who does not deserve to look decent or have decent equipment. They believe a casual player should not be bothered with finishing titles or even getting through the game. I will admit to none of the definitions found in wikipedia in full.

Yes, a casual gamer can be someone who has less time to play. But this is more accurately an Occasional Gamer, not a casual one. The other aspect given on Wiki is that a casual game is someone who does not want to do anything to get maxed in level, skills, stats, and gear. Then there is another type of casual gamer, I would fall into this category, one that wishes to play in a relaxed or casual manner.

Is the entirety of game content only for Hardcore Gamers? Do people who sit down to play in a relaxed and casual manner, who have purchased all the games, the expansion, the bonus pack, qualified for the additional missions, bought additional character slots, spent hours per day on line playing in a relaxed and casual way completed all the missions, doing the quests, and helping other players do the same also deserve to be rewarded with skins the like, drops of value, etc.

Currently, the system is set to deny drops to people who play in normal mode. I hear a lot of I get all this all the time. I do not believe it because I do not see it. I see one gold every 15 to 45 hours of game play and they are only worth taking a mod off of about 1 in 10 times. They are never worth using even in stats, and I do not get skins I am interested in ever. I have seen a couple of max purples, and still have them in storage, even though I don’t like the color of the lettering (afterall, having them is to entertain me – the white/gold is easier to read, the green to harsh, and the purple is gaudy,

).

Some people believe you are supposed to work to get things. That is true for a car, home, advanced education, advanced income in a job. That is not true in one’s entertainment. One does not go to the theatre and expect to help the actors change clothes, clear the tables, change the sets, sweep the floors, serve the food, do the dishes, etc. to be entertained. Work and Play are separate entities. The only people who should be working in GW are the ones that are on the clock while they are in GW.

Certain areas are exceeding notable for poor dop rates, such as the Desolation. Because it is convenient for people to farm SS/LB points there, we are punished with poor drops. In other words, a game mechanism was created (SS/LB ranks) which affects the efficiency of game play and we are punished in our drops for playing to increase that efficiency.

Those semi-professional gamers who devote hours upon hours of analysis and practice to be elite, hard core, somehow seem to want me to accept a station of inferior position in my game enjoyment to them because I am not one of them and do not want to be one of them. I do not feel any of us who are casual gamers should be limited on our enjoyment of the game and its rewards to their excessive addiction. And I have been attacked by them enough here to recognize the same qualities that existed in my father before he started his 12 step program. If one wishes to be Hard Core for the thrill of the challenge then they do not wish to denigrate those who do not, nor do they wish to prevent others from getting the things they would find enjoyable through casual/relaxed gaming.

I am fully aware of former exploits lik the free gold chest in the Dome back in Beta which early players used to garner gold after gold, skin after skin, and make cash galore. Those nerfed opportunities do not now exist because they created an unlevel playing field for new players and an extreme between those who had access to them and those who did not. Reciprocally, the only thing offered is more gold sinks which the established player can easily afford having nothing else to do while the new player is confronted with massive amounts of layout, and still rarely, if ever in my experience, expect to actually get anything they find interesting while adventuring themselves.

GW allows skill points and exp. as rewards for event achievement. There are random chests for elite/hard core gamers for event achievement (which in GWEN provide nothing I would ever want to use). We are either graded on a curve against one another – PvP, or we are graded by the dedication of grind (how much time were you willing to spend in boring death leveling/farming fests). Real gains are not generally made through event achievement, and do not exist through event achievement for casual/relaxed players.

Dr Strangelove · Oct 07, 2007, 04:48 PM // 16:48

So.... casual players are people who suck at the game?

MagmaRed · Oct 07, 2007, 04:53 PM // 16:53

So your definition is different, which makes all those people who disagree with your definition 'wrong'? Under your definition, I would be a casual gamer. I play EVERY day, usually 4-5 hours, depending on when I get home from work. However, I do not farm, I complete quests, missions, titles, or help friends. I do things I enjoy, not things I 'need'.

This is what, the 3rd, or 4th post of yours saying you get screwed by not getting drops because you don't play Hard Mode? I have gotten 1 skin for a weapon I wanted. It was purple, and it was not 'perfect', but it was close enough. I have played approximately 6000 hours over 26 months. I don't complain, because I have everything I need, and most everything I want.

I did not ebay money either, not have handouts given to me by retiring players. I spend money ONLY when I have a need, or find an item I deem worthy of the cost. I save everything, pick up everything, and sell everything not worth keeping to the merchants. I have sold less than 30 items to other players in my 2+ years playing, and only one of those items was over 20k.

Quit whining, play the game, and be happy that you don't have to have certani items to be good at the game.

Kakumei · Oct 07, 2007, 04:53 PM // 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove

So.... casual players are people who suck at the game?

Evidently.

Why on earth do you keep making threads like this? If you're not happy with the quality of drops you receive in Normal Mode, maybe you should actually start playing in Hard Mode. Don't let the name fool you, it's not actually that much more difficult! After all, you say you play so often, surely you must have some modicum of skill, right?

Vestar · Oct 07, 2007, 04:54 PM // 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove

So.... casual players are people who suck at the game?

yeah, i think that's what he's trying to say...but it's wrong, casual gamers are people who dont put in the effort hardcore gamers do. he's trying to say that it isnt fair that hard mode gives gives better loot then normal, and that elite dungeons shouldnt give better loot then regular ones...this is your average 'i want everything on a platter post'. He spends the first half saying that he is not a good enough player to do hard mode or elite dungeons(but he also says he just doesnt put in the effort, which is really boggling), but the second half says that he expects the same rewards as the people who play more, play better, and actually care bout their character

Lady Ana Stacia · Oct 07, 2007, 05:01 PM // 17:01

Why do you continually play a game that is so unfair and everything about it irritates you, upsets you etc?

This is your umpteenth post saying how this or that sucks, get over it already. If you don't want to play HM or elite area's you won't have the rarer drops, they are rare for a reason.

A true casual gamer wouldn't care about rare weaps, nor would they continually rehash in new posts why it sucks and its so wrong.

Better yet, how about we all just agree that anet should hand everything to you on a silver platter? No thanks I want things to work towards in game!

Saraphim · Oct 07, 2007, 05:08 PM // 17:08

I'd consider myself a casual player, despite playing probably 2+ hours a day, more at weekends so I don't have a massive issue with your definition. However, I have to say on the whole I've been pretty happy with my drops. I get maybe 1 gold per login, usually merch food sure but the odd one or two have had good mods and I did get two platinum longbows in GW:EN, not something I thought I'd ever see.

I have no "rare" skinned weapons, and my favourite sword (on my warrior) is a purple req 9 fellblade (with 15^50, 10% Furious +30hp).

I don't farm, never have. Though I did hit the free chests in Elona pretty hard with all seven of my toons, which has partially financed about 8 sets of 15K armour.

Am I bothered that I don't have a Req 7 Crystalline or Elemental sword? Hell no, what difference does it make to your enjoyment of the game? None. HM isn't just for hardcore players (imo) if it was I'd suck at it ! I sometimes vanquish an area to make a bit of cash and have fun with my henchies.

I dunno, maybe I'm naieve but I really don't see how not getting yellow text on a weapon or a "rare" skin can damage your enjoyment of a game that doesn't rely on the gear to give you the stats you need to play at a high level.

Oofus · Oct 07, 2007, 05:10 PM // 17:10

You again? This thread again? Don't you take the hint when your thread is locked you shouldn't remake it?

Antheus · Oct 07, 2007, 05:11 PM // 17:11

That's a very common point, and something that has been mostly overlooked.

All game developers labeled people who play once a month casual. It wasn't until some research showed that casual will put in 1-2 hours per day.

This led to many flawed changes and broken designs in several games in pursuit of this "casual" audience, who wasn't who they thought they were.

Unfortunately, I cannot agree with most of the other points, since they are too personally biased against the too common loot argument.

Bale_Shadowscar · Oct 07, 2007, 05:13 PM // 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz Rinley

Some people believe you are supposed to work to get things. That is true for a car, home, advanced education, advanced income in a job. That is not true in one’s entertainment. One does not go to the theatre and expect to help the actors change clothes, clear the tables, change the sets, sweep the floors, serve the food, do the dishes, etc. to be entertained. Work and Play are separate entities. The only people who should be working in GW are the ones that are on the clock while they are in GW.

If you're just playing GW for the e-peen and not the challenge and the fun of playing it, then its probably the wrong game. In fact I imagine there are very few games where you can have the best stuff and be really rich and popular without lifting a finger.

I MP I · Oct 07, 2007, 05:16 PM // 17:16

Wasn't this covered in another thread? Whats the discussion about now???

Antheus · Oct 07, 2007, 05:17 PM // 17:17

Quote:

If you're just playing GW for the e-peen and not the challenge and the fun of playing it, then its probably the wrong game. In fact I imagine there are very few games where you can have the best stuff and be really rich and popular without lifting a finger.

Just as radical argument as all the others.

Why do PvPers get free maxed out characters, and can even buy it for money?

Let them grind.

Casual players would prefer this be true for PvE as well. But while PvP has gone the way of completely removing barriers of entry, PvE has increased it.

But the MMO mantra of PvE=grind is too deeply rooted in many players to be willing to accept even the notion that something else could exist.

Why doesn't PvE reward accomplishments, but consists of nothing but grind progression?

Fitz Rinley · Oct 07, 2007, 05:19 PM // 17:19

I actually care about all of my characters which is why I have fully developed story lines on all of them. All 10 are related, either through relationship or blood. All 10 have individual personalities, personal demons, personal goals, personal achievements, and personal styles - some of which differs considerable from mine.

KakumeiSo far in Hard Mode the only benefits I have gotten are some tomes and double the cash drops, and more white and blue items. However, everyone who is getting stuff keeps saying - I get it in Hard Mode. What I read is - this is not restricted drop in Hard Mode. Your chances of getting this is better in Hard Mode. Frankly, I am not seeing anything better in hard mode either. No increase in greans I don't want, and certainly no purple and gold weapons that one would consider using. But it is all supposed to be in Hard Mode, and I am fully and eternally opposed to the very existence of any person being denigrated as inferior to another. The very existence of Elite versus "the rest of you who can't possibly put your underwear on as perfectly as I do" is and shall always be wrong.

Magma RedThat is nice. So, you are no different than any other normal person that never complains when they are comfortable and can therefore be complacent about the conditions of others because it just doesn't matter or affect you.

Well, I am sorry, but a gold drop every 15 to 45 hours is not acceptable. That Unique items I dont want are easier to come by than rare I tems I like is astounding. That getting a character/account somewhere is supposed to cost in the seemingly 10s of hundred-thousands is to me excessive.

I understand budgeting and making do. I regularly get a months groceries for $65. I manage a month at a time on less than $50 in gas, still. My electric bill is under $60/month - including AC. My water runs between $15 and $25 a month depending on whether I am working the garden. I am no stranger to making things efficient. I have 23 months minus 9 when I got pissed over Factions and it took them that long to fix the things that were so immoral I quit playing. Drops have never been sufficient to the costs and game structures they have generated.

Someone who only logs on a few hours a month can still be a hard core player if that person has put sufficient emphasis into mastering video game mechanics, creating macros, elite gaming equipment, and treating their game as a profession rather than an exploration and role playing expression.

Bryant Again · Oct 07, 2007, 05:26 PM // 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz Rinley

Well, I am sorry, but a gold drop every 15 to 45 hours is not acceptable.

It would be unacceptable if gold drops gave some sort of advantage over other players.

Darkobra · Oct 07, 2007, 05:29 PM // 17:29

And yet, a casual player such as myself, who does nothing different from what you do, (just play the game, complete a few missions here and there, complete a campaign or so on some of my characters) can actually BUY these fancy armours and items?

No, I don't rely on lucky drops. I'm just smart with what DOES drop for me. Gold I don't want or won't use? Merchant. Blues, runes, merchant. Anything I like, I keep. 10k's not much, but when you get it often through just playing through the game and save it all up, it becomes a lot.

For some one who claims they play through the game, it makes me wonder. Are you complaining about the cost of these items or are you complaining that they're not handed to you when you start?

Snow Bunny · Oct 07, 2007, 05:33 PM // 17:33

Damn it Fitz,

Your other thread got locked? Why?
Because it was a very bad attempt at trolling.

Every thread you make goes along the same path -

You bitch
Everyone disagrees

Your definition of the casual player is horrid.
Your casual player doesn't play much, has pretty cookie-cutter equipment, and isn't really all that concerned with the game.
Your casual gamer is playing the game because they have little else to do, and are looking for a little enjoyment while filling in some time, or they're relaxing after work.

You're not a casual player;
You're a player that plays 12 hours a day, plays in normal mode, and complains that HM punishes the casual gamer.

Get the picture - you fail.

Lady Ana Stacia · Oct 07, 2007, 05:35 PM // 17:35

Rares have always been rare for a reason, if they drop for everyone once an hour they would not be rare nor would they be unique.

If there is a specific GOLD RARE you must have as that is how your portraying it, find out where they drop, best way to farm it and farm it till your hearts content.

I wanted a colossal scimitar for 1 of my toons, and while they seemed to be raining from the sky for everyone else, I constantly came up dry. It soon become a battle of wills, they didn't want to drop one for me & I wasn't willing to give up wanting one. (Yes I was/am too cheap to buy my rares) Eventually yes I got one, its not a req 9 gold but it is what I wanted and was moddable for what I needed it for. It took MONTHS to get one. End result made it that much sweeter when I finally got it.

Rares should be goals to work for, they shouldn't be handed out or rain from the sky or that eliminates any rareness they might have. If your not willing to put time and effort in to get the things you desire, thats your problem not the drop rate nor anet.

Either save your money and buy what you want that is so elusive in drops or farm them.

PureEvilYak · Oct 07, 2007, 05:40 PM // 17:40

To be fair, with all the quest rewards, a run through the game can get you enough for an ascended armor sans mask if you sell the endgame item, at least in Nightfall. And a casual, relaxed player doesn't really need more than one set of armor, as they're only likely to want to play one build they're good at. Hell, hardcore players play one build the majority of the time. So what is everyone complaining about. GW:EN was MADE for the hardcore players, the devs said that they wanted it to be a bit for those who have played for a lot of hours. Not the casual players who enjoy meeting with friends and maybe playing through the campaign.

Arkantos · Oct 07, 2007, 05:42 PM // 17:42

If your thread is closed don't remake it, even if you change the words around.

unienaule · Oct 07, 2007, 05:42 PM // 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Bunny

Damn it Fitz,

Your other thread got locked? Why?
Because it was a very bad attempt at trolling.

Every thread you make goes along the same path -

You bitch
Everyone disagrees

^^^

Don't remake.