Curse

=HT=Ingram · Feb 02, 2006, 04:24 AM // 04:24

Now I know NCSoft and ArenaNet have been trying to break into Asian markets with Guild Wars: Factions and gain a foothold. And that this is the reasoning behind the much more Asian theme of the next chapter. However I do hope this is not a permanent trend. I mean look at all the new character types.. not the class, but the actual character designs... Almost all of them have an Asian look. The reason for this is that Most Asian nationalities take serious offense with any game that does not make in game characters that share Asian characteristics. Often this is why many American developed games never make it in these countries. Originally the concept was that there would be as many regional characteristics available to choose from as there are countries the game is played in. Maybe even locking certain characteristics for faces and body types to certain regions. (this helps from keeping everyone looking alike in game) Since everyone is going to want the new character. We will see Tons of the same design to begin with...

Now we only saw the first sampiling of new content once. but everything I read on the subject seems to maintain the focus on the Asian theme for chapter 2... I'm just wondering if this will continue in this pattern? or if like the real world, as the game expands through chapters, if it will reflect a different regional theme in different chapters?

This is a form of reverse discrimination in a way. But it is just a game. personally I don't care that much. its mostly just a query of the direction the market is going... If it all of the sudden goes from medieval fantasy skins to ALL asian themed skins.. well that significantly changes many players view of the game. From Fun Fantasy to a KungFu movie style game...

Especially once you start seeing the New designed levels which look in some places to be very much like the slums (old market district) of China. Now not saying its not fabulous looking or that the game will change as a whole. it just seems to change the theme so much... It may just be me, but I hope this is just a one chapter trend, and they will be back to more traditional fantasy themes for the game lore in the future.

Ingram of Haz.

Excer · Feb 02, 2006, 04:36 AM // 04:36

I think it's just for this chapter. I dont see why everyone's complaining about the new asian theme...did you hear the koreans complain about the western style of chapter 1? course not. I think the new scenery will be a nice change, since im getting kind of bored of the same old chained together rock slabs of the stone summit

Deathqueen · Feb 02, 2006, 04:58 AM // 04:58

Speaking of Kung Fu, I can't wait for a fist fighting class.

ghostlyranger · Feb 02, 2006, 05:14 AM // 05:14

I m dissapointed with you making a thread like this, seems like you are the one that are so serious about how the game look like, but not the asian.

The reason why most games dont sold as good in asia is because of how expensive a game can be (due to currency exchange rate/tax) and piracy.

M1h4iL · Feb 02, 2006, 05:15 AM // 05:15

Well isn't Arenanet a korean (or japanese) company? That would explain the asian oriented theme in chapter 2.

Celios · Feb 02, 2006, 05:23 AM // 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostlyranger

The reason why most games dont sold as good in asia is because of how expensive a game can be (due to currency exchange rate/tax) and piracy.

Consider the console gaming situation in Asia. PS2 & Nintendo both sell incredibly well while Xbox then Xbox 360 both failed pitifully in that market despite HUGE efforts by Microsoft in that direction. There's no price gap to justify that; it's a cultural barrier not a financial one.

ghostlyranger · Feb 02, 2006, 05:36 AM // 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celios

Consider the console gaming situation in Asia. PS2 & Nintendo both sell incredibly well while Xbox then Xbox 360 both failed pitifully in that market despite HUGE efforts by Microsoft in that direction. There's no price gap to justify that; it's a cultural barrier not a financial one.

if talking about console,

PS2 is the one that sell good in asia, because it can be mod and support for illegal disc(piracy). and ofcourse there are many good games on PS2 platform

most asian dont buy xbox because the games xbox offer. it just look like it is another PC.

Mr Jazzy · Feb 02, 2006, 05:41 AM // 05:41

hey. what the heck. tell me first, are you asian?

i'm asian,and i don't really care how the characters look. alot of my friends don't care how the characters look (alot of my friends are asian), because they play cs regularly.

i'm pretty sure tons of asians have played super mario bros., and i am sure as hell mario is an italian. (italians are white).

point made, sucka.

Mustache Mayhem · Feb 02, 2006, 05:56 AM // 05:56

rofl yeah sukka..

mario is black btw

konohamaru heaven · Feb 02, 2006, 06:05 AM // 06:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1h4iL

Well isn't Arenanet a korean (or japanese) company? That would explain the asian oriented theme in chapter 2.

ArenaNet is American their Parent Company NcSoft is Korean based.

~Konohamaru

Fungus Amongus · Feb 02, 2006, 06:16 AM // 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by =HT=Ingram

Now I know NCSoft and ArenaNet have been trying to break into Asian markets with Guild Wars: Factions and gain a foothold. And that this is the reasoning behind the much more Asian theme of the next chapter. However I do hope this is not a permanent trend. I mean look at all the new character types..

....It may just be me, but I hope this is just a one chapter trend, and they will be back to more traditional fantasy themes for the game lore in the future.

Ingram of Haz.

I think you're just being a bit too sensitive. Chapter 2 will have a theme. Things will surely move on.

I respect Anet for treating the gaming community as one Human Family, not just a bunch of races. Sure, we have regions, but international competition is natural for all of us, regardless of our culture.

Celios · Feb 02, 2006, 06:17 AM // 06:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostlyranger

PS2 is the one that sell good in asia, because it can be mod and support for illegal disc(piracy). and ofcourse there are many good games on PS2 platform

Your point is moot considering the Xbox has an incredible reputation as being one of (if not THE) most "modded" consoles currently available. The simple fact of the matter is that Xbox cannot break through to that market, despite both much lower prices than in NA/Europe and a massive ad blitz on Microsoft's part to get in there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

hey. what the heck. tell me first, are you asian?

i'm asian,and i don't really care how the characters look. alot of my friends don't care how the characters look (alot of my friends are asian), because they play cs regularly.

i'm pretty sure tons of asians have played super mario bros., and i am sure as hell mario is an italian. (italians are white).

point made, sucka.

While you may be of asian decent, I'm guessing you both live and were raised here. I believe what the topic's author is referring to is a local phenomenon; Japan, for example, is well known for its "cultural elitism" - not only are outsiders often treated as being lower in terms of status, there are many buisnesses who have an outright double standard when it comes to pricing (Japanese $50 a night at a hotel, foreigners $150 bucks a night, etc.)

I'm sure someone will jump all over me for saying that, but it's not meant to be insulting, that's just how it is. Some things which we would consider peculiar or downright racist here are commonplace in other societies. I believe the author is simply asking whether we are trying to cater to those habits or whether this new exclusively Asian theme is an isolated thing. That being said, I love the look of the new Battle Isles.

Gaile Gray · Feb 02, 2006, 06:19 AM // 06:19

I guess I can only say what I feel: Beautiful is beautiful. The world of Cantha is breathtakingly lovely, as was the world of Tyria. I simply love to BE there. The casts of light, the colours, the reflections on the waters, the feel of a real and living world -- it is the stuff that dreams are made of. And yes, Guild Wars has given me a fantasy world of which, honestly, I have often dreamed. What is better than that?

That the land pays a nod to noble cultures and landscapes and architectures that reverberate distinctly and positively throughout the globe is a good thing. That the characters embrace those who may look exactly like us, or totally unlike us, is also a good thing.

I am very pleased by the look and the feel of the land of Cantha, just as I was delighted in the land of Tyria. Beautiful is beautiful. We should embrace that, for nothing else really matters.

zoozoc · Feb 02, 2006, 06:25 AM // 06:25

hm...i remember a thread somewhere about something similiar to this and someone posted a video of a huge, huge, huge line of ppl waiting in line for apples ipod when it first arrived in japan.

Fungus Amongus · Feb 02, 2006, 06:27 AM // 06:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I guess I can only say one what I feel: Beautiful is beautiful. The world of Cantha is breathtakingly lovely, as was the world of Tyria. I simply love to BE there. The casts of light, the colours, the reflections on the waters, the feel of a real and living world -- it is the stuff that dreams are made of. And yes, Guild Wars has given me a fantasy world of which, honestly, I have often dreamed. What is better than that?

That the land pays a nod to noble cultures and landscapes and architectures that reverberate distinctly and positively throughout the globe is a good thing. That the characters embrace those who may look exactly like us, or totally unlike us, is also a good thing.

I am very pleased by the look and the feel of the land of Cantha, just as I was delighted in the land of Tyria. Beautiful is beautiful. We should embrace that, for nothing else really matters.

Very well put, Gaile. You summarized the great beauty of this game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

We should embrace that, for nothing else really matters.

Thank you.

Reks · Feb 02, 2006, 06:32 AM // 06:32

Not sure why anyone would complain about a different setting... I'd just be glad to be able to explore new exotic locales.

Just by looking at those new screenshots, I can't wait. Look at that city! Just compare that to Lion's Arch...

I absolutely don't mind the Cantha asian theme. Especially since it wasn't the theme of Ch 1, it should be nice to visit an entirely new atmosphere, different from what we've seen thus far.

Aria · Feb 02, 2006, 06:35 AM // 06:35

Guild Wars never promised to be entirely western fantasy (please correct me if I'm wrong). As for "traditional fantasy," what exactly do you mean? The Asian cultures have a much older vein of "traditional" myth and "fantasy." Just because the theme is based in another culture, does it make it less "traditional" or valid? With all due respect, I believe that one might need to widen horizons.

Sure, aesthetically, the value may differ. To me, I much, much prefer the artwork of Chapter 1 to Chapter 2. They're both visually stunning, but Chapter 2 resonates more within me personally. However, with that said, I also have no intention of making an appeal to make all subsequent chapters stylistically and culturally similar to Chapter 2.

I am also extremely puzzled, and frankly, very disappointed in the portion of the public disparaging Chapter 2 because of its Asian theme. Keep in mind that this comment is not aimed directly at the OP, but at that section of audience in general. In this age, and at the risk of using that controversial term "globalizing," I had expected greater understanding and exploration. Perhaps I'm a bit too idealistic. Regardless, I very much doubt that ANet based their entire theme on the hope of tapping the Asian markets. Sure, it might have played a role, but some vast conspiracy involving not only the complete, utter envelopment of the gaming market but the movie industry, as well?

I really doubt that I need to say more..

death fuzzy · Feb 02, 2006, 06:36 AM // 06:36

I myself am Asian, but I agree with the the threadmaker.
The 'Asian' look of the new classes are kind of discriminative (is it even a word?) to all ethnicities. Looking at the preview, hopefully A-net will allow people to not use the Asian face.

=HT=Ingram · Feb 02, 2006, 06:48 AM // 06:48

I'm not saying that I object or anything. I was just wondering the direction was all. I can of course stay with my original class to keep my physical appearance the same. I'm just noting the Character skins and new body styles was all Galie. I agree Cantha in and of itself is quite impressive. And the Asian Market place scene I have seen still looked spectacular. So I'm agreeing with everyone on that... I saw an interview back at one of the e3 events when they were talking about development and they showed Several Faces and hair styles that were to be regional... All we saw in the last event was the Asian Themed ones. I'm sure the others were just not completed as of yet. IN any case I was not criticizing the expansion per say... Just saying I hope this is not going to morph into a Asian Focus. And from a e-mail I just got I don't think that's the case now. Its just the theme for this Chapter. And possibly a few future chapters... But not necessarily EVERY chapter...

I Kind of Thought I maybe should have just asked this in private, and I did just after the event. But interestingly enough I didn't receive an answer back till I posted in here. So obviously They are true to their word that they read the fan site often... Not meaning you Galie. I know you read them. But Some of the other guys I talk to are just as helpful with information from time to time as you are

and I appreciate it.

I figured there would be some that would read this the wrong way and figure "well Now he is just a jerk after all the good stuff he has posted in the past..." and I may have burnt a bridge or two... I was just expressing a thought... Nothing more then that.

When I think of a Fantasy RPG I don't normally think of Ninjas, and Samurai.. I'm sure that's just an element of my Western upbringing... And youth with D&D and the like... that's all I was saying. So now the GW world has expanded to include new cultures. Just like the real world. It's interesting. but will take a little getting used too for some of us is all... Just a little to old and set in my ways I guess... lol

Still a loyal Tyrian
Ingram of Haz..

PS: its important to say that when I stated A little disappointed.. it was to the face of not having all the Skin variation I have seen in the E3 interview that was under development... Some of the ones for the Ranger for instance. (new skin & Hair styles) were very interesting. same with the New look for the Female Necros... We just didn't see much of it exposed yet in any event. So that was the point I was trying to make.

Fungus Amongus · Feb 02, 2006, 06:55 AM // 06:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by =HT=Ingram

Still a loyal Tyrian
Ingram of Haz..

You might have to emigrate soon.