Server and game questions - Guild Wars Forums

Altune · Apr 15, 2005, 10:43 AM // 10:43

Looking forward to the release. Have a few questions regarding the game.

1. The official game faq states this,

"...Finally, unlike existing MMOs, all characters in Guild Wars inhabit the same virtual world -- they are not divided onto different servers or shards -- so players can always team up with or compete against any other player in the world. "

With all the players in the same "virtual world" will this cause lag? I've read here and there that this game is different than others of the genre. Can anyone elaborate on servers? Are we looking at crushing lag issues on launch day?

2. Does anyone know how future content will be handled? Cost,delivery method,frequency etc...

3. from the official game faq....

"If you purchase expansion packs you will gain access to new regions of the world, new skills and abilities, new items, new professions, and much more."

Are professions the same as crafting?

4. Is there a economy? Buying and selling of items between characters.

5. How is the overall "depth" of the game. How does it compare to other games of the genre where depth and length of play are concerned. Is there "hardcoreness" to the game. Will the game draw me in with intricate complexities and interesting detail?

Thanks

Alex Weekes · Apr 15, 2005, 11:09 AM // 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altune

1. The official game faq states this,

"...Finally, unlike existing MMOs, all characters in Guild Wars inhabit the same virtual world -- they are not divided onto different servers or shards -- so players can always team up with or compete against any other player in the world. "

With all the players in the same "virtual world" will this cause lag? I've read here and there that this game is different than others of the genre. Can anyone elaborate on servers? Are we looking at crushing lag issues on launch day?

The game runs on a server network that does not use shards. We still have a large number of servers that support the game, it's just that they all 'talk' to each other with the result that you, as a player, play in the same virtual world as everyone else.

During the World Preview Event in October we had over 500,000 accounts created during a single weekend without any "crushing lag issues" - since then additional servers have been added.

Quote:

2. Does anyone know how future content will be handled? Cost,delivery method,frequency etc...

As I'm sure you know (looks like you've done the basic research), there is no monthly fee. Guild Wars will be continually updated with new content on a regular basis after release, and this will be supplied with no charge attached. The new content will be added to the game through the streaming technology built into the game; when you launch the game essential updates will be automatically downloaded and applied, and then whenever you visit a new or updated location in the game world further updates will be downloaded and applied to the game without the need to restart the game.

These downloads are essentially 'on demand' - if you never visit a PvP map when playing Guild Wars, you will never download any updates for that map.

Every 6-9 months (approximately) new chapters of the game will be released. These chapters will be large expansions containing approximately the same amount of content as the original game: a full new storyline, new skills etc (see your list below

).

Quote:

3. from the official game faq....

"If you purchase expansion packs you will gain access to new regions of the world, new skills and abilities, new items, new professions, and much more."

Are professions the same as crafting?

Professions are the same as classes. Warrior is a profession. In Guild Wars, crafting is handled by NPC's who do all the hard work for you; all you need do is gather the ingredients and pay some gold.

Quote:

4. Is there a economy? Buying and selling of items between characters.

Most definitely yes. Characters can trade equipment, equipment upgrades, crafting materials etc. The chat interface now incorporates a channel dedicated to trading, and their are some NPC traders who buy and sell crafting materials with the prices varying depending on supply and demand.

5. How is the overall "depth" of the game. How does it compare to other games of the genre where depth and length of play are concerned. Is there "hardcoreness" to the game. Will the game draw me in with intricate complexities and interesting detail?[/QUOTE]
I think I'll let others answer this question for you ... though maybe I can say the following:

I started alpha testing Guild Wars in the middle of 2003. Shortly thereafter I decided to create and run a fan site for the game. Early this year I moved from Australia to the UK to start my job at NCsoft working with Guild Wars. It's not often someone moves 10 time zones for a game

.

Roken · Apr 15, 2005, 11:16 AM // 11:16

When you say there is a chat dedicated to trading, Im guessing this keeps out "SELLING UBER RARE!@!2!" shouts in game?

If so, I love you.

iczer · Apr 15, 2005, 12:22 PM // 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roken

When you say there is a chat dedicated to trading, Im guessing this keeps out "SELLING UBER RARE!@!2!" shouts in game?

If so, I love you.

Give your love to Guild Wars, they have added a channel specifically for trading ..... wooooooooooooop!

- Iczer

Chillin-N-Killin · Aug 09, 2005, 10:24 PM // 22:24

has anyone tried or got guild wars to run on windows server 2003
the only reason i ask is so i can play in my sever 2003 class our HD's all have server 2003 loaded. ty in advance

Apr 15, 2005, 10:43 AM // 10:43	#1
Altune Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Apr 2005	Server and game questions Looking forward to the release. Have a few questions regarding the game. 1. The official game faq states this, "...Finally, unlike existing MMOs, all characters in Guild Wars inhabit the same virtual world -- they are not divided onto different servers or shards -- so players can always team up with or compete against any other player in the world. " With all the players in the same "virtual world" will this cause lag? I've read here and there that this game is different than others of the genre. Can anyone elaborate on servers? Are we looking at crushing lag issues on launch day? 2. Does anyone know how future content will be handled? Cost,delivery method,frequency etc... 3. from the official game faq.... "If you purchase expansion packs you will gain access to new regions of the world, new skills and abilities, new items, new professions, and much more." Are professions the same as crafting? 4. Is there a economy? Buying and selling of items between characters. 5. How is the overall "depth" of the game. How does it compare to other games of the genre where depth and length of play are concerned. Is there "hardcoreness" to the game. Will the game draw me in with intricate complexities and interesting detail? Thanks

Apr 15, 2005, 11:16 AM // 11:16	#3
Roken Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, Florida (US) Guild: Corpse Ecstacy[Crps] Profession: N/R	When you say there is a chat dedicated to trading, Im guessing this keeps out "SELLING UBER RARE!@!2!" shouts in game? If so, I love you.

Aug 09, 2005, 10:24 PM // 22:24	#5
Chillin-N-Killin Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Colorado Guild: The Adult Guild Profession: R/Mo	has anyone tried or got guild wars to run on windows server 2003 the only reason i ask is so i can play in my sever 2003 class our HD's all have server 2003 loaded. ty in advance