Curse

Saphrium · Oct 11, 2007, 07:51 PM // 19:51

It is a good move. At the same token I hope that core-skill unlocks are not separated from campaign-only-skill unlocks, and how is equip mods, runes and insig unlock fit in this picture?

Mordakai · Oct 11, 2007, 07:56 PM // 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vilaptca

WOAH!! Now I HAVE to buy one of those this week...that was what I was going to buy for the Mission Bonus Pack...I've just been putting it off...

Sounds like they'll be available too late to count towards Bonus Pack...

"Early November." Thanks for nothing, Anet. Now I have to buy another Character Slot....

Grammar · Oct 11, 2007, 08:01 PM // 20:01

This is great for PVE players who just want to unlock all the skills for PVE use (like heroes).
Now we won't have to pay extra for the PvP access, which many already have anyway if they already own the campaign.

Take me for example. I own all the campaigns, but I don't have all the skills in the game unlocked (not even close). I only have the skills unlocked for the classes that I play, which is Warrior, Ranger, Ele, Monk, and Necro. But now, I have all these heroes that I want to use, but I'm lacking a whole crap load of skills to be able to use my Paragon, Dervish, Ritualist, Assassin, and Mesmer heroes properly.

This change would mean I could purchase the skill unlocks that my heroes need without having to pay extra for the PvP access that currently comes with the PvP Editions (which I already have anyway by owning the campaigns).

Sounds ftw to me.

Vilaptca · Oct 11, 2007, 08:44 PM // 20:44

I think he's saying there will now be 6 PvP packs...3 that unlock the campaign itself (IE; Factions = Assassins, Ritualists, AB) and 3 that unlock the skills....maybe...

Saphrium · Oct 11, 2007, 08:46 PM // 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vilaptca

I think he's saying there will now be 6 PvP packs...3 that unlock the campaign itself (IE; Factions = Assassins, Ritualists, AB) and 3 that unlock the skills....maybe...

then i won't buy any of the packages for more than 10 bucks.

Gaile Gray · Oct 11, 2007, 08:48 PM // 20:48

Hi,

I hope I can answer your questions. Here's what the PvP Pack currently does: It allows you to get an unlock of all skills for your PvP characters (and Heroes, if you have them) and it gives you access to the PvP Battle Isles. In the future, we want to make it more inexpensive to get these packs, and we want to assure that people are only paying for what they need.

So we're breaking out access -- for those who do not own Guild Wars at all. Those who don't own any of our campaigns can get an access key that allows them to play in PvP (Battle Isles, etc.) And we're offering PvP skill unlock packs (I'm not sure of the formal name), too. Some people may choose to buy an unlock and a skill pack. Some may choose one or the other. The whole point is to give you options, and at a more economical price, as well.

We think this is a great opportunity for players to get all skills from a specific campaign for them to play in PvP. It's also a great opportunity for PvE-oriented players to acquire skills for their Heroes to use, since the unlock packs do not furnish "UAX" for PvE, but do allow all skills to be accessed by a Hero.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions. (The one question I want to confirm is: "Is the "Access Key" by campaign, or is it a universal PvP access key?" I will find out and let you guys know.)

Vilaptca · Oct 11, 2007, 08:50 PM // 20:50

The only reason I've been putting off buying PvP packs was $40 for just skills, as I already have the campaigns seemed quite steep. It looks like I got what I need to unlock skills now, and at a cheaper price, but just not in time for the Mission Bonus Pack, so looks like I'll be putting this money towards character slots...

Saphrium · Oct 11, 2007, 10:12 PM // 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Hi,

I hope I can answer your questions. Here's what the PvP Pack currently does: It allows you to get an unlock of all skills for your PvP characters (and Heroes, if you have them) and it gives you access to the PvP Battle Isles. In the future, we want to make it more inexpensive to get these packs, and we want to assure that people are only paying for what they need.

So we're breaking out access -- for those who do not own Guild Wars at all. Those who don't own any of our campaigns can get an access key that allows them to play in PvP (Battle Isles, etc.) And we're offering PvP skill unlock packs (I'm not sure of the formal name), too. Some people may choose to buy an unlock and a skill pack. Some may choose one or the other. The whole point is to give you options, and at a more economical price, as well.

We think this is a great opportunity for players to get all skills from a specific campaign for them to play in PvP. It's also a great opportunity for PvE-oriented players to acquire skills for their Heroes to use, since the unlock packs do not furnish "UAX" for PvE, but do allow all skills to be accessed by a Hero.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions. (The one question I want to confirm is: "Is the "Access Key" by campaign, or is it a universal PvP access key?" I will find out and let you guys know.)

Thanks gaile for the explanation.

Also a few other questions:
1. How is equipment, runes and insignias work with the unlock system?
2. If I purchase a campaign-specific skill pack, am I getting the core skills included or is it in a separate pack of skills to purchase?
3. How do you guys work around unlocked skills vs pvp access on certain skill-stealing skills? [I don't own eotn and I just inspire-hexed defile defenses]

DutchSmurf · Oct 11, 2007, 10:19 PM // 22:19

I'm actually more interested in why Anet decides to do it actually. And how much it is going to cost. 4 skill unlocks+pvp unlock for the price of 1 normal game? After all, if it is for a new pvp player, he needs to buy all anyway. But why would there be new pvp players? Is there a new (seriously advertised) tournament coming next year or something? Or is the only use this has for pve players who don't have all skills unlocked for there heroes?

Only other thing that can be said about this is that it is about 2 years late.

aaje vhanli · Oct 11, 2007, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vilaptca

WOAH!! Now I HAVE to buy one of those this week...that was what I was going to buy for the Mission Bonus Pack...I've just been putting it off...

Same here. I am one of the people who have very limited options buying from the online store. I was hoping they'd do something like this BEFORE November (or, any additions to the Online Store at all).

If I'm too late, and they take off the PvP Editions, I'll just have to purchase three character slots I don't need. Or, rather, purchase the Mission Bonus Pack for $30 and get 3 (useless) free character slots with it.

Neo Nugget · Oct 11, 2007, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Is it still going to be 40 bucks?

Relnor · Oct 12, 2007, 12:12 AM // 00:12

I would love to get some pricing info. For me to make my PvE account PvP ready, I would need to buy some 1200 skills. I don't have the gold for that, or the cash to pay for three $40 PvP unlocks.

VitisVinifera · Oct 12, 2007, 12:19 AM // 00:19

and this continues a long legacy of poorly worded, ambigious, and misleading announcements which then needs to be cleaned up by CR

Dr Strangelove · Oct 12, 2007, 12:44 AM // 00:44

Why does the system of unlocks still exist? All it does is make a huge barrier for new players. PvP needs to be UAX if it's going to survive, not some half-assed thing where you pay to avoid mind-numbing grind.

Senrath · Oct 12, 2007, 01:18 AM // 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vilaptca

The only reason I've been putting off buying PvP packs was $40 for just skills, as I already have the campaigns seemed quite steep.

Agreed. I'll probably actually buy the unlocks, provided they aren't still way too expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neo Nugget

Is it still going to be 40 bucks?

No, the point of this is to say that there will now be 2+ versions. At least one for those without access to Guild Wars at all, and at least one cheaper one for those with access, who just want the unlocks.

Yawgmoth · Oct 12, 2007, 02:11 AM // 02:11

This is how it should have been from the beginning. And I was saying that back then when those packs got introduced first: Sell just access, unlocks are really easy to get by just playing.

Now one best thing that should be done is: one package, enabling access to all PvP content, professions, skills and stuff. No unlocks there, get them by just playing. Make complete GW PvP experience easily accessible for new players at a reasonable cost.

Of course, in addition to it, have smaller packages for those players that missed just 1 campagin.

Selling unlocks was wrong, such an option should have never existed. Players should unlock and learn to play with new skills at a steady pace. It's like selling achievements for $$.
UAX'ing 1 campagin is just 1-2 months of dedicated PvP play, at current faction gain rates.

fenix · Oct 12, 2007, 03:15 AM // 03:15

How are so many people failing to understand?

PvP unlocks = unlocking everything PvP.

If you buy the Factions PvP pack, you unlock EVERYTHING PvP to do with Factions. Skills, maps, etc.

If you get the Nightfall PvP pack, you get EVERYTHING from NF that is PvP. Maps, Heroes, Skills.

If you buy Prophecies, you get all the skills and maps from there. And if you buy all 3, you get everything unlockable.

Oh, and of course, the EOTN one would be the 100 skills + heroes.

Not that hard to understand.

On the other hand, you can choose just to buy SKILL unlock packs. Which are for if you just have the intention of playing HA/GvG, and need all the skills unlocked.

CHunterX · Oct 12, 2007, 03:21 AM // 03:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

So we're breaking out access -- for those who do not own Guild Wars at all. Those who don't own any of our campaigns can get an access key that allows them to play in PvP (Battle Isles, etc.)

How will someone who has never bought a Guild Wars Campaign going to have the .dat and .exe file to even access the in-game store, unless you are offering the download and purchase of said "PvP-Packs" on the Areanet website or something. (I'd go to check if they have it for download, but that Flash-filled hellhole is a little much for me to bear.)

Remember, we have to log-in to an account to even get access to the in-game store, and for someone who doesn't own a Guild Wars access key, I'd imagine this would be hard...

fenix · Oct 12, 2007, 03:23 AM // 03:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHunterX

How will someone who has never bought a Guild Wars Campaign going to have the .dat and .exe file to even access the in-game store, unless you are offering the download and purchase of said "PvP-Packs" on the Areanet website or something. (I'd go to check if they have it for download, but that Flash-filled hellhole is a little much for me to bear.)

Remember, we have to log-in to an account to even get access to the in-game store, and for someone who doesn't own a Guild Wars access key, I'd imagine this would be hard...

You can download the Client for GW from www.guildwars.com, you just can't log in if you don't have an account.

Apok Omen · Oct 12, 2007, 03:32 AM // 03:32

And when exactly are the current PvP updates(SKILL BALANCE) coming? I heard this week yet don't see anything...