Curse

Zinger314 · Mar 30, 2007, 10:53 PM // 22:53

Gaile said that Hard Mode will be released within 1 month of 3/20 (i.e. 3 weeks from now, although I highly doubt that since Gaile has said there will be another PvP Skill Balance test...and that'll overshadow it.)

Therefore, it's time to analyze the potential impact of Hard Mode.

I doubt there will be a lengthy requirement to engage in Hard Mode (i.e. Protector of Continent), as very few people would do it otherwise. I expect that Hard Mode will be unlocked with a campaign completion.

If Hard Mode is...actually Hard, and requires either all humans and/or can't be beaten with 2 MMs and 2 SF...what will happen?

I expect a incredible surge of players who want to try the new, [supposedly] more difficult, missions. However, since the requirements to enter these missions will likely be low, there will be very many bad players. (think of the Gates of Madness outpost...)

Thus...will elitism be necessary to filter out the bad players from the players seeking a maximum title?

I, personally, will only join with humans if they already have atleast one Protector title (I, myself, have all 3 Protector titles). Yes, it's not particularly hard to get a Protector title nowadays (thanks to Heroes). But having a Protector title shows that the player is a) serious at completing Hard Mode for all missions for the title and b) somewhat skilled. It does take skill to get Masters on missions such as Raisu Palace and Grand Court of Sebelkeh.

But, there is a counterpoint. There are, on my count 57 Missions which will be played with groups on Hard Mode (excluding Augury Rock, as that's mainly a solo mission...) If people are spread among 57 outposts, there may not be enough people to be selective. You'll have to take whoever you can, no matter if they are skilled or not.

Of course, I may be overreacting. I expect Hard Mode to be easily completeable with 2 Humans/6 Heroes (4 of those players being the aforementioned 2 MM/2 SS). But if it is not, there will be elitism. Count on it.

Raiin Maker · Mar 30, 2007, 11:06 PM // 23:06

I didn't think that hard mode was for just missions? Maybe it is, can someone confirm this?

lord_shar · Mar 30, 2007, 11:08 PM // 23:08

I don't mind either way, so long as TS/Vent doesn't become a requirement like in DoA...

Neo Nugget · Mar 30, 2007, 11:09 PM // 23:09

I think its for all areas except pre(wonder why)

Puebert · Mar 30, 2007, 11:11 PM // 23:11

I hope its not just for missions.

More options FTW

VitisVinifera · Mar 30, 2007, 11:15 PM // 23:15

i just hope it's not another botch job like doa

Indian · Mar 30, 2007, 11:18 PM // 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinger314

Of course, I may be overreacting. I expect Hard Mode to be easily completeable with 2 Humans/6 Heroes (4 of those players being the aforementioned 2 MM/2 SS). But if it is not, there will be elitism. Count on it.

I don't expect hard to be easily completable at all, its always fun to do in really hard way, it at least gives a you motive and urge to finish it.
Why shouldn't there be elitism? you don't need all players to finish it you n your guildies/friends can handle with heroes sure there will be way to finish it.

Zinger314 · Mar 30, 2007, 11:19 PM // 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiin Maker

I didn't think that hard mode was for just missions? Maybe it is, can someone confirm this?

Yes, it affects all areas. (Gaile implied that) But does it really matter? You don't get a title for entering miscellaneous areas...

However, that may change my idea of Hard Mode completely; it could be a completely seperate map, in-which you have to redo the campaign. Naaa...that would be a tad annoying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian

IWhy shouldn't there be elitism? you don't need all players to finish it you n your guildies/friends can handle with heroes sure there will be way to finish it.

You underestimate the amount of people without friends or a guild.

Bryant Again · Mar 30, 2007, 11:19 PM // 23:19

Yeah I'm pretty sure Hard Mode doesn't apply only to missions. Here's a link to Gaile's announcement:

http://guildwarsguru.com/forum/showt...php?t=10132947

"Contrary to our original intentions, we're also including Hard Mode in all areas of the game"

Now with that out of the way...

I think it's too soon to say. I don't think they'd allow only players in the group, since you would need human players for every area in Guild Wars. And it would still be too sparse to find players if heros were allowed.

Other than that, I agree. Elitisim is inevitable.

prism2525 · Mar 30, 2007, 11:24 PM // 23:24

Hard Mode is not just for missions. In fact it's like they are remaking the game.

Anyone fancy a lockpick?

Indian · Mar 30, 2007, 11:28 PM // 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinger314

You underestimate the amount of people without friends or a guild.

True. But its an option.

Spartan117 · Mar 30, 2007, 11:28 PM // 23:28

Geez, i guess the fraze about next gen games is true. normal is the new hard. games have been getting harder, not just on the consoles i see, puters too!

strcpy · Mar 31, 2007, 01:14 AM // 01:14

Considering you have elitism in the simplest of areas my guess is that Hard mode will do it also. I see no reason why it would suddenly go away. My guess is that cookie cutter builds and class elitism will be there also (again, it is there in the simplest of areas, no reason for it to disappear).

The only time I have ever seen the community *not* doing that was when I first hit the Realm of Torment - it was early enough in the release cycle that pretty much everyone knew doing that was silly. But then, it was nearly all guild groups and the better hench-way players so not many groups were being formed either.

Wilhelm · Mar 31, 2007, 01:25 AM // 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinger314

Of course, I may be overreacting. I expect Hard Mode to be easily completeable with 2 Humans/6 Heroes (4 of those players being the aforementioned 2 MM/2 SS). But if it is not, there will be elitism. Count on it.

So what if there is elitsm....does anyone want to play with crappy players? no.

On another note, I predict that a vast majority of people won't be able the Guardian Title on any continent.....and there will be a whine thread about nerf Hard mode within minutes of the patch.

Exoudeous · Mar 31, 2007, 01:32 AM // 01:32

every mmo has elliteism no matter what you do.

I do tend to be more selective about groups in high end areas (though id mostly go with guildies or heros then)

i dont really see anything bad about it as long as you arnt mean about it, I mean nobody wants to have to do something over cause tehy had some one in the party mess up

Skyy High · Mar 31, 2007, 01:36 AM // 01:36

Since (according to the title track menu) can't even start on the Guardian title without the Protector title, I thought that meant you wouldn't be able to do hard mode missions sans the Protector title.

Don't know what restriction there'd be on hard mode areas though...

Seissor · Mar 31, 2007, 01:37 AM // 01:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiin Maker

I didn't think that hard mode was for just missions? Maybe it is, can someone confirm this?

I dont care to go back and sift through everying GG said (what a cool acronymn for her name) but I recall she made a statement saying what if someone wanted to go to flame corridor and fight lvl 20 foes and get good loot.

so I perceive you may be able to enable hard mode and then just go outside in explorable areas.

I think we'll know when its done though.

Take care of each other, and your bunnies.

The Bloodrose · Mar 31, 2007, 01:58 AM // 01:58

May be a stupid question...but does anyone know if ther will be a Fissure or UW Hard Mode?

Kakumei · Mar 31, 2007, 01:59 AM // 01:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

So what if there is elitsm....does anyone want to play with crappy players? no.

This. Why would I want to waste my time with the Average Joe?

Feathermoore Rep · Mar 31, 2007, 02:02 AM // 02:02

Yea there has to be a some sort of requirement to start hard mode. It would be kind of dumb to make it so you can skip to hard mode right after starting a character. It should at least be completing all of the missions once. If it is obtaining the Protector title I won't mind either.

That way when i go to get a group for Hard mode, I know that they should at least be average players. I won't expect people to be godly, but at the same time i dont expect people to do "newb" mistakes. In other words, in hard mode I shouldn't have to walk them through the whole thing.

And lack of players?? I'm pretty everyone here has as least one main character on which they do everything with. And with Hard mode I'm pretty sure they are going to do like I will and beat it with my main.

As for elitism...elitism is generally a negative term. Should it exist? To a degree. Should it exist like it does in HA? Hell no. This should not be one of those R8+ PLZ game modes. (yes 8 is a random number) In short, it comes down to common sense. If you have good common knowledge and sense of the game, you will get far in GW. If not have fun henching it everywhere, because there are many people who won't put up with stupidity.

On a happy note, I'm stoked for hard mode! Yay, a new reason to PvE other than farming!