Cultural Aspect of the Game - Guild Wars Forums

Aemia · Jul 22, 2007, 06:30 AM // 06:30

I've really been trying to find little nitbits about this game without actually getting the demo, and by the looks of the art-style and the name of some of the skills, this game seems to have an Asian cultural feel to it. Is this so? This game makes me think a lot of Jade Empire, and if it's anything like that... you know what's next!

Kook~NBK~ · Jul 22, 2007, 07:00 AM // 07:00

factions has an Oriental theme.
Nightfall has an African motif.
Prophecies has more of a European thing going on.

Draxanoth · Jul 22, 2007, 07:34 AM // 07:34

Eye of the North = Little Bit of Other Races

Seems heavy on the Nordic peoples. Vikings FTW. =D

free_fall · Jul 22, 2007, 08:55 AM // 08:55

Well, the majority of Factions is certainly a Far East/China-type ambiance but the Kurzicks are distinctly Germanic while the Luxons, hmm, that's a tough one to describe - possibly nomadic Central Asian.

The Africa of Nightfall encompasses southern influences as well as some Northern (vaguely Egytptian-esque) and Middle Eastern, with a little bit of Roman thrown in.

Good effort on Anet's part to reflect the varying regions where their customers live.

chadamir · Jul 22, 2007, 12:39 PM // 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by free_fall

Well, the majority of Factions is certainly a Far East/China-type ambiance but the Kurzicks are distinctly Germanic while the Luxons, hmm, that's a tough one to describe - possibly nomadic Central Asian.

The Africa of Nightfall encompasses southern influences as well as some Northern (vaguely Egytptian-esque) and Middle Eastern, with a little bit of Roman thrown in.

Good effort on Anet's part to reflect the varying regions where their customers live.

I'm not sure that there really is much sensitivity to reflecting those cultures or regions accurately. GW is pretty much an amalgamation of stereotypes. I mean you get points towards a rank as you work toward the genocide of indigenous non-human and human populations of sentient beings with cultures and language.

All Corsairs are portrayed as sneaky and greedy excepting a couple who aren't like that 100% of the time.

I don't feel like going on about it. I don't think anything is meant by it, but it doesnt reflect anything well.

Commander Ryker · Jul 22, 2007, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadamir

I'm not sure that there really is much sensitivity to reflecting those cultures or regions accurately. GW is pretty much an amalgamation of stereotypes. I mean you get points towards a rank as you work toward the genocide of indigenous non-human and human populations of sentient beings with cultures and language.

But only because they are trying to kill you and everyone else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadamir

All Corsairs are portrayed as sneaky and greedy excepting a couple who aren't like that 100% of the time.

Well, that's only because all Corsairs are sneaky and greedy. Plus, they are trying to kill you and everyone else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadamir

I don't feel like going on about it. I don't think anything is meant by it, but it doesn't reflect anything well.

If you're going to make a statement saying, "no it isn't" then you really should "go on about it" and give more examples, like freefall did in his post. You might as well have used the Stone Summit Dwarves as an insult to all the little people who are not evil and use animals for evil deeds. Oh but wait, there's also the Deldimore Dwarves who are good and helped Rurik run away from the Charr who's looks represent.....well no one. So it's ok to wipe them off the face of ear....er, what ever that planet (?) is called.

So, back to the original question, yes Factions has an asian feel to it.

chadamir · Jul 22, 2007, 02:25 PM // 14:25

My point was more that if you choose to look at the game as representing a culture that the game could be viewed the way I have described.

Mr. G · Jul 22, 2007, 02:38 PM // 14:38

jeese lighten up, yes its all stereotypes - but hats what you expect

we have our rich and luxurious north africans
we have our nomadic south africans
we ave our kings and princes
or assassins and emperors
our gothic kurzicks and our err...Greekish (by the names anyway) luxons

theres nothing in the slightest to complain about - but i think im going to print out that "oh noes, genocide" comment and frame it...hehe

also how many corsairs do you know?

-----

but more on topic, if your looking for a jade empire type thing, id say factions - Personally my fave out of all of them (but everyone loves their first)

Eldin · Jul 22, 2007, 03:07 PM // 15:07

Prophecies = Standard medieval.
Factions = Asian.
Nightfall = African/Middle Eastern.
GW:EN = Mainly nordic. As well as a continuation of Prophecies' medievalism.

There are reasons for you to kill everybody, by the way.
Prophecies = To quote an old slogan, "In a world where the human kingdoms are all but destroyed...". It's now survival of the fittest as you attempt to defend that of humanity that remains good and pure.
Factions = A plague brings about the corruption of some creatures, while others just didn't like humans anyway.
Nightfall = Similar thing. Corruption. Also of the three human "kingdoms" (they actually are each districts of one kingdom), one of which has become crazy, fanatical, and has placed a bounty on you and your peoples' heads.
GW:EN = Don't worry! In GW:EN you will apparently team up with some folk from various races.

Aemia · Jul 22, 2007, 04:39 PM // 16:39

Thanks for answering my question, and not fighting TOO much about it.

I'll be sure to check that out when I head to the store today.

chadamir · Jul 22, 2007, 06:23 PM // 18:23

The Charr And Grawl definitely represent indigenous peoples.

BladeDVD · Jul 23, 2007, 02:45 AM // 02:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadamir

The Charr And Grawl definitely represent indigenous peoples.

If I remember correctly, the Char invaded us. In fact I thought that was part of the storyline of GW:EN...discovering why they came into our lands in the first place.

The Grawl...many is the time I have gone jogging through Whitman's Folly and everytime, without any provocation, the Grawl have ruthlessly attacked me and my party. They show no interest in sharing the lands we both inhabit, and if they refuse to live peacefully with us, then we have no choice but to cut them down and remove the threat to our own peaceful existence.

Jul 22, 2007, 06:30 AM // 06:30	#1
Aemia Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia	Cultural Aspect of the Game I've really been trying to find little nitbits about this game without actually getting the demo, and by the looks of the art-style and the name of some of the skills, this game seems to have an Asian cultural feel to it. Is this so? This game makes me think a lot of Jade Empire, and if it's anything like that... you know what's next!

Jul 22, 2007, 03:07 PM // 15:07	#9
Eldin Forge Runner Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: America. How about you, commie? Guild: Fellows of Mythgar [FOM] Profession: R/Mo	Prophecies = Standard medieval. Factions = Asian. Nightfall = African/Middle Eastern. GW:EN = Mainly nordic. As well as a continuation of Prophecies' medievalism. There are reasons for you to kill everybody, by the way. Prophecies = To quote an old slogan, "In a world where the human kingdoms are all but destroyed...". It's now survival of the fittest as you attempt to defend that of humanity that remains good and pure. Factions = A plague brings about the corruption of some creatures, while others just didn't like humans anyway. Nightfall = Similar thing. Corruption. Also of the three human "kingdoms" (they actually are each districts of one kingdom), one of which has become crazy, fanatical, and has placed a bounty on you and your peoples' heads. GW:EN = Don't worry! In GW:EN you will apparently team up with some folk from various races. Last edited by Eldin; Jul 22, 2007 at 03:12 PM // 15:12..

Jul 22, 2007, 07:00 AM // 07:00	#2
Kook~NBK~ Grotto Attendant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A little chalet outside Drok's Guild: Natural Born Killaz	factions has an Oriental theme. Nightfall has an African motif. Prophecies has more of a European thing going on.

Jul 22, 2007, 07:34 AM // 07:34	#3
Draxanoth Academy Page Join Date: May 2006 Location: Washington Guild: Archons of the Condemned Profession: W/Me	Eye of the North = Little Bit of Other Races Seems heavy on the Nordic peoples. Vikings FTW. =D

Jul 22, 2007, 08:55 AM // 08:55	#4
free_fall Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Oct 2005	Well, the majority of Factions is certainly a Far East/China-type ambiance but the Kurzicks are distinctly Germanic while the Luxons, hmm, that's a tough one to describe - possibly nomadic Central Asian. The Africa of Nightfall encompasses southern influences as well as some Northern (vaguely Egytptian-esque) and Middle Eastern, with a little bit of Roman thrown in. Good effort on Anet's part to reflect the varying regions where their customers live.

Jul 22, 2007, 02:25 PM // 14:25	#7
chadamir Academy Page Join Date: Jun 2007	My point was more that if you choose to look at the game as representing a culture that the game could be viewed the way I have described.

Jul 22, 2007, 02:38 PM // 14:38	#8
Mr. G Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S. Wales Profession: Mo/Me	jeese lighten up, yes its all stereotypes - but hats what you expect we have our rich and luxurious north africans we have our nomadic south africans we ave our kings and princes or assassins and emperors our gothic kurzicks and our err...Greekish (by the names anyway) luxons theres nothing in the slightest to complain about - but i think im going to print out that "oh noes, genocide" comment and frame it...hehe also how many corsairs do you know? ----- but more on topic, if your looking for a jade empire type thing, id say factions - Personally my fave out of all of them (but everyone loves their first)

Jul 22, 2007, 04:39 PM // 16:39	#10
Aemia Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia	Thanks for answering my question, and not fighting TOO much about it. I'll be sure to check that out when I head to the store today.

Jul 22, 2007, 06:23 PM // 18:23	#11
chadamir Academy Page Join Date: Jun 2007	The Charr And Grawl definitely represent indigenous peoples.