Curse

Gun Pierson · Nov 30, 2006, 03:22 AM // 03:22

As there are already two translations I'm gonna skip that part. Just want to mention he's stating things imo. He uses a few times 'maybe' when it comes to the Aztec part yes (he doesn't want to tell too much), but he clearly states there are things known about chapter 4. This is wonderful news. August seems quite far away though. But I can understand they had to take it a bit slower. Gaile already mentionned it were kinda busy times lately. I prefer them taking a bit more time and come up with a 'finished' product. We don't want the devs to be overworked and end up in some kinda midlife crisis.

KoalaMeatPie · Nov 30, 2006, 04:17 AM // 04:17

I wouldn't be surprised if he was picked up because he said he wasn't who he is.

This seems to happen often.

Kool Pajamas · Nov 30, 2006, 05:00 AM // 05:00

Well if Anet can get things llke reconnects, better trading and all the other stuff in the meantime, then I can certainly wait until august.

Sentao Nugra · Nov 30, 2006, 06:26 AM // 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kool Pajamas

Well if Anet can get things llke reconnects, better trading and all the other stuff in the meantime, then I can certainly wait until august.

I think it would be great if ANet could take a release off the schedule to finish these upgrades for in-game-store purchase. I wouldn't mind paying 15$ extra to be able to reconnect, or 15$ for access to easier and possibly afk-able trading. I'm also pretty sure there are people who would *possibly* pay smaller amounts 3-10$ to change character appearance/name or 15-25$ to move characters between accounts (providing all necessary identification of accounts of course.) Would be nice to know that ANet realizes not all of us have time to get through all of their content multiple times and rather than having more to go through, would like special features like the afore-mentioned.

duncan99 · Nov 30, 2006, 07:10 AM // 07:10

im dutch so i understood the vid, so is what he is saying all true? :/

KoalaMeatPie · Nov 30, 2006, 07:13 AM // 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan99

im dutch so i understood the vid, so is what he is saying all true? :/

Gaile has Rejected what he said, she does not even know who he is.

What the guy said has not even been confirmed at the ANet offices themselves.

Symeon · Nov 30, 2006, 07:58 AM // 07:58

Heh Inde, I told you it was Easy, not NC

Someone posted a link to a page of information on Easy Interactive, which I looked at before... they are Dutch 'publishing partners' of NCsoft and have released at least one of the three chapters (Guild Wars: Factions) in the Netherlands. And this Michel has a senior position in the company.

So, it's not too hard to imagine the following set up:
ArenaNet employee tells NCsoft employee tells Easy Interactive employee tells PC Gameplay guy (the interviewer).

Of course, in a chain like this information may be distorted, but things as straightforward as release date and overall theme are unlikely to be.

Slainster · Nov 30, 2006, 08:35 AM // 08:35

I for one would be much happier with a 1 campaign release a year... dont have to feel like i am been rushed all the time

swimnserve88 · Nov 30, 2006, 09:15 AM // 09:15

Sarge: Hey Simmons, what's the name of that Mexican lizard, eats all the goats?

Simmons: Uh, that would be the Chupacabra, sir!

Sarge: Hey Grif! Chupathingie, how 'bout that? I like it! Got a ring to it...

Ah, good ole RvB...

A jungle environment - not a canyon with vegetation a la Maguuma - would appeal to me, plus armor...oh, how I love new armor, though NF was lacking...

Makkert · Nov 30, 2006, 09:21 AM // 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoalaMeatPie

Gaile has Rejected what he said, she does not even know who he is.

What the guy said has not even been confirmed at the ANet offices themselves.

Coming from the M:tG corner of the gaming world, I've learned to take denials from official sources not too serious.

Anyone that is familiar with the case Wizards of the Coast vs Mr. Drutter (aka known as Rancored Elf) knows what I mean.

The company has interests to not have information leak away too early, for several reasons. A copy-paste of the interesting reasons why a company rather does not want to leak information too early. I made a few edits in it to make it readable for the GW audiance. the edits are marked by '~'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Rosewater

I know that many people believe that leaking information is, in fact, good for the game. We disagree. This isn't to say that we don't believe any information should precede a release, just that we want to be in control of what that information is. We've spent a great deal of time and energy to figure out how to promote a set. When we preview ~something~, we've taken many hours to figure out exactly what we want to show, why we want to show it, what it hints at, what cool things it doesn't show. The average poster of leaked information doesn't do that, partially because he doesn't have the full information and partially because he's not motivated to care. Releasing information on unreleased sets is one of the most important pieces of marketing we do.

When a ~skill~ is leaked it has an impact. Hours of work (on ~website~ and elsewhere) are wasted. Magazine and online sites are deprived revenue because exclusive previews they were promised are undercut. R&D watches quality sets be maligned because information is inaccurate or comes from an outdated file. Now, maybe you don't care about any of this. But we have to. This is our business. These are our employees and our professional relationships. And first impressions do affect sales. Not worrying about these things would be, quite frankly, negligence.

We care deeply about this issue because we have to. This is what we do. While ~GuildWars~ is a game to all of you, to us it's a business and we have to treat it as such. This information is our information and we have the right to do with it what we want. That's what this boils down to: We have the right to protect our property.

<snip>

And that's only half the problem. We don't want players seeing material until it's finished. Historically, sets at this point in development have not just changed ~skills~, not just changed mechanics, they've changed themes. They've changed focus. It's one thing for players to see playtest ~skills~ after a set's release, because then they get to see them in context. They already understand what the finished product is. But to have your first glimpse be a card that will go through numerous iterations and still might not even make it into the set, is about a bad first impression as we could possibly make.

So, there is NO official information about Chapter 4. Things may yet change. Does this mean the individual in the video is lying? I don't believe so. He has no motive to lie. There is a good possibility that these things are in the minds of ANet. But there is no final decision made about them, and should be taken with precaution. Note also that Gaile doesn't strictly say 'he's wrong'. But says 'We have not announced any of the following:'

~ greetings Makkert

Tetris L · Nov 30, 2006, 10:27 AM // 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makkert

I've learned to take denials from official sources not too serious.

That is an understatement.

I reckon this is probably another leaked info incident, worse than this one. Gaile tried to hush it up back then, but it turned out that everything EBgames told was correct, to the last detail. Looks like they got the official info after all.

I guess Mr. Michael from Easy Interactive will get some pretty angry phonecalls from NCsoft and ANet, and the cooperation may come to an abrupt end.

4thVariety · Nov 30, 2006, 11:53 AM // 11:53

I give PCG the benefit of doubt. I also believe what Gaile says is true; in a very Spinmeister kind of way. A list of what Anet has NOT announced does not discredit the op. His whole point is the inofficial rumor thing. The date thing also does not throw me off. So what if Anet has no final internal date, neither do the Duke Nukem guys.

Anyway, by tomorrow the whole thing will be buried deeply under a pile of Elite-Mission news. Until some Mexican forum user snaps a hidden paperazzi shot of Jeff Strain in an Aztech tomb, wielding a scrfificial knife only intented for alpha testing the new Heroes' Ascent game mechanic.

Eleonora · Nov 30, 2006, 11:56 AM // 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Highwind

More Indiana Jones references?

The final boss might have a technique called "KALI'MAH!!1"

But Kalimah was from the Indiana Jones film in India and not South America.

*Darcy* · Nov 30, 2006, 12:15 PM // 12:15

Before anyone gets more excited, keep in mind we don't know where Mr. Michel got his info. Was it material given to Easy Interactive? Was it something he saw visiting NC Soft or ANet offices? Is the August date for the chapter release or the elite mission release? Is the setting info for Chap 4 or 5? After all, they have started working on 5 and would be having many discussions about settings.

Lot's of questions and there will be no more answers from Mr. Michel. His company has probably been slapped with a gag order, while NC Soft decides whether or not to sue them for contract non-disclosure violations.

Cottage Pie · Nov 30, 2006, 07:04 PM // 19:04

thank god, one chapter next year...much better.

exiled mat · Nov 30, 2006, 09:26 PM // 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cottage Pie

thank god, one chapter next year...much better.

Well i haven't finished prophecies or factions even once (but i am at the last mission of each chapter) but new stuff is constantly devouring my time

It's not that bad IMO

fatmouse · Nov 30, 2006, 09:33 PM // 21:33

Funny how quickly people change their tune. When I said a while ago that the 6 month gap wasn't written in stone I was shot down with people explaining how the "whole premise" of guild wars was a new chapter every 6 months.

Incandecree · Nov 30, 2006, 09:49 PM // 21:49

So. To add rumor to rumor, one of the two new characters will be an archaeologist. His primary weapon will be a bullwhip. Imagine you are in the middle of a fight and you hear the crack of the whip. That could get your attention.

**cosyfiep** · Nov 30, 2006, 09:54 PM // 21:54

ah speculation again
<grabs crystal ball out from under table>

would be really nice to have more than 6 months to finish nf with my 8 toons.
might actually see myself buying the next chapter if they did (hint hint gaile).
for the 'bored' amongst us, might give us a breather so we dont feel we must try this right away. and then not be rushed and then maybe not be bored???

mayan might be nice, would rather have snow (as long as I am not required to shovel it). but seeing as I probably wont buy another chapter (esp if its rushed, and with the factions team making it.........

)

<returns crystal ball back under table>

and the answer to 'you can just wait and get the next chapter when you finish'---uhm, lots of people are now complaining about not being able to find the ce from chapter 1... if we wait we not might not be able to buy the chapter when we get around to finishing the one we are on.....and if you buy it right away, you MUST put it on your computer and then test it....and then you are sucked into playing it. so the reasoning 'dont buy it until you are ready' doesnt really work. or thats my theory at least. (and just think about it, when was the last time you waited to open say your birthday presents? or now with xmas close at hand.....why dont you wait until july to open that gift ok?)

Makkert · Nov 30, 2006, 09:54 PM // 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatmouse

Funny how quickly people change their tune. When I said a while ago that the 6 month gap wasn't written in stone I was shot down with people explaining how the "whole premise" of guild wars was a new chapter every 6 months.

I guess you had a bit of more vision then the other people on that matter (IF this is true of course). I must say, that I too considered the 6 months cycle part of the business model of GuildWars. I'm pondering how they can change their business model to have another 3 months no revenue. Thats not a minor change, that is quite unorthodox for a commercial company...