Curse

Lawnmower · Aug 07, 2006, 11:27 AM // 11:27

I had a strange experience. I was doing a mission in cantha(don't remember which one).

It was the one where you had to meet up with Master Togo for the first time, and help him fight off the infected of the plague.

There where not a single individuel in my district. But apparently there was another team(not in my party... another party in the same instance as me)... but they where korean or something. It was funny seeing them trying to communicate with me. They understood "hi". But that was pretty much that.

The thing is that this game has gotten sooooo fleshed and spread out its crazy. Right now a ton of outposts are empty. Even in prime time, so finding people for certain missions are very hard.

With GWNightfall the game will expand 1/3 once again. Meaning that the current playerbase will be to spread thin.

If this continues, we have to remove american, european and korean districts and only have international districts. There are simply not enough room for the current playerbase. There are not enough players. The game is simply getting to big. And what about chapter 4? Jesus.

Either this needs to happen or GW has to give the game away for free so popularity can remain substantial. It's obvious since the game is not even in the charts anymore( http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/world...ml?sid=6155185 )

We all know that GW was a commercial and utter failure in Singapore, Korea and Japan. But so what?

There are still other regions where there is the possibility for massive growth?

China is insane. Everyone over there is getting broadband. And while there are many people over there who play WoW(over 2-3 million in china alone) most people hate it, because they pay for WoW per minute, and the lag and servers are really really crap over there.

So it would be an awesome way for Guild Wars to get momentum over there. just bundle GW and Factions in one, and sell it. no monthly fee and an asian theme is bound to help the game get some instant succes. It could help the game a long way!
And what about places like North Africa? India? Southeren America? and Russia?

Im really concerned that Nightfall will spread us all to thin. We have discussed this since before the release of the original GW, but the horrors and prophercies really are starting to show now. Or maybe its because that people have just stopped playing this game?

One thing is for certain - We need MANY more people to keep this game alive. Whatever the cost... Or else this game will be dead in 1 or 2 years.

Maybe its time that ArenaNet hook up with Fileplanet to give a free 5 day trial demo or something. The game has a bad reputation as the poor mans MMO... Its really to bad:-(

Clusmas · Aug 07, 2006, 12:31 PM // 12:31

There's a solution. Add a 'LFG' menu, that would be global across the game.

For example, someone goes to Vizunah Square, opens the menu and clicks 'create party' at this stage he's the only person in it. Then ANYONE in any district of any area (ok maybe some restrictions) who has the 'LFG' menu open can browse through a list and see he's creating a team.

You could add some luxuries to the menu to such as a short 'description' set when the leader creates, just like a guild message.

I think everyone (pvp and pve alike) would find a system like this particularly useful.

As for a release in China.. That's quite complicated. The government (or 'establishment' - whatever you can call it :P) there has imposed strict laws surrounding online games, including limiting the time you're legally allowed to spend playing them.

If blizzard have got around them though, I don't see why Anet/ncsoft can't. It's one thing they are probably working very hard on even as we speak.

Yanman.be · Aug 07, 2006, 12:33 PM // 12:33

Add option to always spawn in international districts. That way they'll be more crowded etc.

Lawnmower · Aug 07, 2006, 12:33 PM // 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clusmas

There's a solution. Add a 'LFG' menu, that would be global across the game.

For example, someone goes to Vizunah Square, opens the menu and clicks 'create party' at this stage he's the only person in it. Then ANYONE in any district of any area (ok maybe some restrictions) who has the 'LFG' menu open can browse through a list and see he's creating a team.

You could add some luxuries to the menu to such as a short 'description' set when the leader creates, just like a guild message.

I think everyone (pvp and pve alike) would find a system like this particularly useful.

As for a release in China.. That's quite complicated. The government (or 'establishment' - whatever you can call it :P) there has imposed strict laws surrounding online games, including limiting the time you're legally allowed to spend playing them.

If blizzard have got around them though, I don't see why Anet/ncsoft can't. It's one thing they are probably working very hard on even as we speak.

YES!!! I vote you for president!!!!

I'd hit that in a minute. Great Idea. Amazing excecution. Could only be accomplished by a man who had both the skills of a Ninja and a Pirate. Arrrr...

Demesis · Aug 07, 2006, 02:07 PM // 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

YES!!! I vote you for president!!!!

I'd hit that in a minute. Great Idea. Amazing excecution. Could only be accomplished by a man who had both the skills of a Ninja and a Pirate. Arrrr...

Ninjas and pirates eh? Arrrr.....

Eviance · Aug 07, 2006, 02:29 PM // 14:29

Well guys in truth I think GW is looking to expand their fanbase and have more players with each chapter, but that will only happen if they play their cards right.
You aren't going to find many people left in Cantha due to the lack of PVE content. Those that are still in Cantha are struggling to get groups OR are only there for elite missions and to sell their wares.
I think this is now just a wait and see type of thing. Many saw Factions as a bomb even though it sold so many copies... The reason it sold so many copies is because Prophecies was such a huge success and we were expecting something similar with Factions... Granted there are a few other reasons it sold so many but in truth the majority bought were by those who loved Prophecies (most of these people are currently disappointed at shelling out the $40-50 for Factions).
Nightfall may bring back some population but I think a goodly portion of players will be sitting back and waiting to see how Nightfall will pan out before rushing out to get a copy this time. If it bombs you can expect the amount of players to decrease rather rapidly.

King Kong · Aug 07, 2006, 02:39 PM // 14:39

Mission outposts should be international districts, Factions is the worst for it :-( I only get to play late at night, and got stuck on Unwaking Waters for 2 bloody weeks!!!

Demesis · Aug 07, 2006, 02:58 PM // 14:58

I always have faith that people will always come back to Tyria. The total population have slowly been seeping back to Tyria since Factions. It's easier to find a PUG in THK than Unwaking Waters.

Rebirther · Aug 07, 2006, 03:21 PM // 15:21

The only problem with a new expansion is that unlike other MMORPGs which build of existing worlds and say add an extra dungeon or a couple of new cities, a new chapter in GW is a new world entirely and because of this the "human factor" comes into play, we like things new and a vast majority of the fanbase of a previous chapter will most likely move to the new world, since their characters have already finished the previous chapters there is no reason for them to go back.
The population of a previous chapter declines but new inflow of characters do come in every so often, and most commonly you'll find older players taking their new characters through the previous campaign, and in this case such as the Ritualist and Assassin through Tyria.

You also got to remember that each new chapter is not an expansion, but rather a new game since ANET has made it clear that it can be played without previous chapters, although a great option to catch new players however, the drawback is that it will also bring older players from the previous chapters too so that accounts for the decline in population.

I'm thinking that the strategy for them to keep the population stable is that if new players buy a new chapter and like it, they'll be more incline to buy the previous chapters and so on.

With the current business model that is employed, the decline in players in some worlds is inevitable, especially since there is hardly any "replay" value for characters that have already completed a certain mission, quest or reached a certain destination. (except on helping friends, colleagues and guild mates).

You'll find that most of the GW Population will be in PvP and this is the area where the population throughout all GW chapters will most likely remain stable and constant.

Alias_X · Aug 07, 2006, 03:30 PM // 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clusmas

There's a solution. Add a 'LFG' menu, that would be global across the game.

For example, someone goes to Vizunah Square, opens the menu and clicks 'create party' at this stage he's the only person in it. Then ANYONE in any district of any area (ok maybe some restrictions) who has the 'LFG' menu open can browse through a list and see he's creating a team.

You could add some luxuries to the menu to such as a short 'description' set when the leader creates, just like a guild message.

I think everyone (pvp and pve alike) would find a system like this particularly useful.

As for a release in China.. That's quite complicated. The government (or 'establishment' - whatever you can call it :P) there has imposed strict laws surrounding online games, including limiting the time you're legally allowed to spend playing them.

If blizzard have got around them though, I don't see why Anet/ncsoft can't. It's one thing they are probably working very hard on even as we speak.

GREAT IDEA!

Clord · Aug 07, 2006, 03:34 PM // 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demesis

Ninjas and pirates eh? Arrrr.....

Ninja pirate. How it can even be effective combination?

xXa1 · Aug 07, 2006, 03:35 PM // 15:35

this is a really serious issue that anet needs to address, to many mission towns are empty. the game population has dwindled and what's worse is the new chapters are scattering people further apart.

if anet wants the pve side of the game to flourish, one thing it needs to un-nerf is farming, the only real high end content for any mmorpg or whatever it is this game is pretending to be.

Demesis · Aug 07, 2006, 03:43 PM // 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clord

Ninja pirate. How it can even be effective combination?

It'll be a new class in chapter 5. The Pirinja! Half pirate, half ninja! HIYAAAR!

Cjlr · Aug 07, 2006, 04:00 PM // 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXa1

if anet wants the pve side of the game to flourish, one thing it needs to un-nerf is farming, the only real high end content for any mmorpg or whatever it is this game is pretending to be.

Uh... The only kind of farming that got nerfed was the kind where you were a bot.

Aerian_Skybane · Aug 07, 2006, 04:02 PM // 16:02

Well to be completely honest, even as of recent, I have not had any issues getting into groups for missions. The ONLY issue I have ever had with mission entrance was early Gylala Hatchery, and the last two Fire Island missions. But then again, the last two missions in Tryia Ive ALWAYS had a problem getting into groups.

Honestly said I find no problems the OP has presented, and I look forward to each expansion that Anet produces.

Speaking of popularity of GW, where the hell did you hear it was a failure in Korea? Last I checked with my Korean freinds, its huge there.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I just dont really see the problem. And I play quite regularly and at Odd hours of the day (I live on East Coast USA). And on top of that, my guild is small and never on when I am.

brokenmonkey · Aug 07, 2006, 06:38 PM // 18:38

this game rockkkssssss just joing ur home districts..... aand what are u talking about korea was killin us last night or somthing in Ha and they took favor noo fow for me... and All those places well they can play too .. there in international districts.. and if u ever need a group in The granite citadel theres lots of Bots running ing international lol DESTROY THEM ANET!

YoNkErS 2k5 · Aug 07, 2006, 08:07 PM // 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXa1

this is a really serious issue that anet needs to address, to many mission towns are empty. the game population has dwindled and what's worse is the new chapters are scattering people further apart.

if anet wants the pve side of the game to flourish, one thing it needs to un-nerf is farming, the only real high end content for any mmorpg or whatever it is this game is pretending to be.

dude ur my hero, this is wut ive been saying. if anet keeps nerfing everything, how will ppl make money? this makes them discouraged, and they say forget this game, its gay. i know a couple ppl who stopped playing cuz farming became nerfed. its a double edged sword, for example if they unnerf solo uw farm, ppl who want fissure armor [there are a lot] would be happier to know ectos easier to buy in bundles and possibly cheaper and EASIER then before and the farmer would be happy cuz well, its possible. lol

awesome sauce · Aug 07, 2006, 09:09 PM // 21:09

Quote:

Ninja pirate. How it can even be effective combination?

Apparently you guys have never heard of chris the ninja pirate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weebl_and_Bob

Quote:

Chris the Ninja Pirate - A mushroom-shaped character who is an expert at martial arts, and who speaks and acts like a pirate. First appeared in "Yarr." He wears an eyepatch in normal clothing, but has been wearing a black ninja costume (which Sensei Carrotu thinks is "very sexy") in recent episodes.

Across The Battle · Aug 07, 2006, 09:14 PM // 21:14

I am not an expert on this by any means, but I know China has a lot of laws prohibiting what thier people are and arent allowed to see. A lot of stuff would have to be changed to fit different areas of the world like that. Essentially having to remake the game for individual areas. However I could be wrong on this.

Caethas Turan · Aug 07, 2006, 09:30 PM // 21:30

-coughs- Empty huh?

I play at odd times, well for the rest of the world but for me they're normal. So I play when America is sleeping. And in American Districts.

Took my Mesmer through Factions, never had a problem forming a group, finding others to go along on quests, missions, whatever I was doing.

I have a friends list filled with Koreans, this is huge over there and on some of the smaller islands in the world.

How is this the ruin of GW? I must have missed a point somewhere

Also the LFG is a good idea!