History of the GW Wikis - Guild Wars Forums

Cheferos · Apr 10, 2011, 10:26 PM // 22:26

I'm curious about the history of the GW wikis. Note this is not a thread about which is superior or which you like best.

Background: I played the game briefly after release in 2005, soon lost interest, then re-discovered it in late 2008 with a passion and began devouring any and all information as I came up to speed and have been playing regularly ever since. Of course at that point I became exposed to the wikis, official and otherwise.

So I'm confused about the 'official' wiki and why it only dates back to 2007. Then there's guildwars.wikia.com and www.guildwiki.com, which seem user-created and go back much farther, but then isn't the offical wiki also user created? Seems I also saw hints along the way of how this or that wiki got created, was later sold, or which wiki predates which other.

tl;dr : When did all the wikis get created, and any info you know about how they came to be, major changes (changing ownership hands, being sold, etc) would be appreciated.

*Darcy* · Apr 10, 2011, 10:29 PM // 22:29

Back in 2007, ArenaNet offered to host the original (unofficial) wiki. This proved to be impossible due to the type of free content method the wiki had used to set up. So ArenaNet started a new wiki on their servers and turned it over to the community to build and maintain. ArenaNet hosts it and uses it for the in-game Help, but does not run the official wiki.

The current guildwiki.org was originally on the wikia-hosted site, but wikia made arbitrary changes to the format and setup of the wiki on their servers. This caused the unofficial wiki administration to look for a new host. While they were forming a new hosting agreement, they ceased maintaining the wikia site and it was vandalized and left without any administration.

The unofficial wiki is now guildwiki.org hosted by Curse along with the gwpvx.com for the builds site. That also was moved to Curse hosting and the version left on the wikia site has also been vandalized.

Cheferos · Apr 11, 2011, 03:47 AM // 03:47

Thanks much!

Chrisworld · Apr 11, 2011, 04:48 AM // 04:48

If you're in doubt at all and not looking for builds just use the official wiki so you know... it's official, but still player edited.

BladeDVD · Apr 11, 2011, 05:20 AM // 05:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcy

The current guildwiki.org was originally on the wikia-hosted site,

Not to split hairs, but I think you meant to type "previously," not "originally."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisworld

If you're in doubt at all and not looking for builds just use the official wiki so you know... it's official, but still player edited.

Since the vast majority of the information on both wikis is player generated and maintained, they're really the same, with, in my opinion, the main difference being that older content (proph/factions) is more detailed on the original vs. the official.

They both have their pros and cons. I started using the official more some time in 2008/9 I think, and usually only check the original when when the official seems lacking on info, or I'm not satisfied with the info I'm finding on the official.

akelarumi · Apr 11, 2011, 08:44 AM // 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by BladeDVD

They both have their pros and cons. I started using the official more some time in 2008/9 I think, and usually only check the original when when the official seems lacking on info, or I'm not satisfied with the info I'm finding on the official.

For me it is the other way around. I usually go to the official wiki and when I don't find what I need I try the unofficial. It's all bout taste I guess

Winston · Apr 11, 2011, 11:24 AM // 11:24

I use the official mainly as it is easy to access from in game.
I check guildwiki.org if I need more info.

BladeDVD · Apr 11, 2011, 11:39 AM // 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by akelarumi

For me it is the other way around. I usually go to the official wiki and when I don't find what I need I try the unofficial. It's all bout taste I guess

That's pretty much what I said I do.

Quaker · Apr 11, 2011, 02:28 PM // 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by BladeDVD

Not to split hairs, but I think you meant to type "previously," not "originally."

To split hairs, both are correct in this case. That is to say, the previous one was also the original one.

*Darcy* · Apr 11, 2011, 02:37 PM // 14:37

I think we are very lucky to have two great GW wiki sites. Most games I have checked out have only one and that one is usually very neglected. Our GW community rocks.

BladeDVD · Apr 12, 2011, 12:33 AM // 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

To split hairs, both are correct in this case. That is to say, the previous one was also the original one.

Hmm, maybe I should have checked before posting. I thought when the wiki was sold to Wikia that involved a server move.

Apologies for my incorrect assumption.

Apr 10, 2011, 10:26 PM // 22:26	#1
Cheferos Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Feb 2009	History of the GW Wikis I'm curious about the history of the GW wikis. Note this is not a thread about which is superior or which you like best. Background: I played the game briefly after release in 2005, soon lost interest, then re-discovered it in late 2008 with a passion and began devouring any and all information as I came up to speed and have been playing regularly ever since. Of course at that point I became exposed to the wikis, official and otherwise. So I'm confused about the 'official' wiki and why it only dates back to 2007. Then there's guildwars.wikia.com and www.guildwiki.com, which seem user-created and go back much farther, but then isn't the offical wiki also user created? Seems I also saw hints along the way of how this or that wiki got created, was later sold, or which wiki predates which other. tl;dr : When did all the wikis get created, and any info you know about how they came to be, major changes (changing ownership hands, being sold, etc) would be appreciated.

Apr 10, 2011, 10:29 PM // 22:29	#2
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Back in 2007, ArenaNet offered to host the original (unofficial) wiki. This proved to be impossible due to the type of free content method the wiki had used to set up. So ArenaNet started a new wiki on their servers and turned it over to the community to build and maintain. ArenaNet hosts it and uses it for the in-game Help, but does not run the official wiki. The current guildwiki.org was originally on the wikia-hosted site, but wikia made arbitrary changes to the format and setup of the wiki on their servers. This caused the unofficial wiki administration to look for a new host. While they were forming a new hosting agreement, they ceased maintaining the wikia site and it was vandalized and left without any administration. The unofficial wiki is now guildwiki.org hosted by Curse along with the gwpvx.com for the builds site. That also was moved to Curse hosting and the version left on the wikia site has also been vandalized. Last edited by Darcy; Apr 10, 2011 at 10:36 PM // 22:36..

Apr 11, 2011, 03:47 AM // 03:47	#3
Cheferos Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Feb 2009	Thanks much!

Apr 11, 2011, 04:48 AM // 04:48	#4
Chrisworld Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2010 Guild: Gameamp Guides [AMP] Profession: W/	If you're in doubt at all and not looking for builds just use the official wiki so you know... it's official, but still player edited.

Apr 11, 2011, 11:24 AM // 11:24	#7
Winston Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia	I use the official mainly as it is easy to access from in game. I check guildwiki.org if I need more info.

Apr 11, 2011, 02:37 PM // 14:37	#10
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	I think we are very lucky to have two great GW wiki sites. Most games I have checked out have only one and that one is usually very neglected. Our GW community rocks.