Curse

Thom · Mar 28, 2006, 07:00 AM // 07:00

Games are increasingly evolving as a new media and a long artistic tradition. We play as actors in the artists world. Much as a good novel puts you in a place where you may not want to be, a game can explore culture and the human condition in a similar fashion. The fact that you identified with how silly the confict is shows that Anet is producing powerful art. Attacking art for its content is sometimes justified, but here I feel it is misplaced. The idea of perpetual war is deeply ironic in my opinion and I feel the the culture divide is a great display of the folly of war. The story is about bridging these divides, so it is hard to argue that A-net is ignoring the underlying tensions that the environment creates.

This whole discussion speaks to great story telling and it is a tribute to what RPGing can be. Can pre-teen boys handle a bit of subtlety? Nope, but when to a pre-teen the Venus de Milo was a load of giggles.

Weezer_Blue · Mar 28, 2006, 07:30 AM // 07:30

I think the conflict adds depth to the game. The nationalistic hate for one another, rather than just your generic, evil, ugly bad guy, makes for a more realistic environment.

Vermilion Okeanos · Mar 28, 2006, 07:31 AM // 07:31

People need to stop the WoW analogy!

The faction idea goes back as far as 1997 in a RTS (real time strategy) game called "Total Annihilation". MMORPG had merely starting to need more and more strategy, therefore, only catching onto the foot step of RTS game ideas.

If someone really want to go down outrageous, even chess game has two factions.

SO! Please stop WoW analogy. Tired of bumping into it 50 billion times. (it is like Naruto all over again)

allience · Mar 28, 2006, 09:09 AM // 09:09

i don't care for alliances or any of the nationalist things. i jump from side to side caring for my sole benefit. but i'm guessing it might be an issue to actual Rpg'ers.

heavy metal rules · Mar 28, 2006, 12:57 PM // 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ristaron

Am I the only one who realizes that every time we get a portrayal in here of the people who would possibly get nationalistic, they're always leet-speeking, immature, skill-less, 13-year-old morons?
Please, they may represent a large portion of the community, but they haven't got a clue either in-game or in real life.
And with that attitude, they won't get anywhere anyways.

This nationalism point therefore seems moot, as those who would fall to that level would not be worth the time of those of us who have an idea of what life's about (having the best time you can, since life's too short

).

so very well said, Ristaron. i applaude you.thank you. I for one am an older gamer, and just seeing how some of these kids type "zomg" or whatever i just take it with a grain of salt, hell i was in the coast guard saving peoples lives, busting drug runners, or catching felons. before these kids were even an idea in their parents minds. sure its something that we have to deal with. I just tend to ignore there mindless/stupid yet repetive comments.

Snowman · Mar 28, 2006, 01:10 PM // 13:10

Knock Knock Knock!!...

"hellooooo"????

WARS?

Guild...WARS...

what do you expect two WARING nations to do?... all come together and pat each other on the back, maybe have a game of rock paper scissors?

WoW Has this kind of waring factions... as does Eve.. as does CoH.. and these are some of the most popular MMO's in the world.

you, are in a sad "carebear" minority.

fiery · Mar 28, 2006, 02:59 PM // 14:59

Got to love kids and yes adults spew out insults on a game and agrue on each side. I thought it was hiralous.

Rebirther · Mar 28, 2006, 03:18 PM // 15:18

its a marketing strategy that has proven successful, its appealing to its audience and adds flare to the ever evolving environment, there are a great many examples out there that utilise this feature and think how successful those titles have become.

It works
Its proven
It makes money

for me, the idea of choosing a side in an MMORPG, and helping that side apsire to become a great faction is more appealing than just sitting in a world where everyone is friends.
think of it this way - pvp is finally taking an active role in the pve world, guild wars is a structured upon a pvp userbase, factions is now integrating that of the pvp world to influence the pve environment, so a player now gets the best of both worlds.

Dougal Kronik · Mar 28, 2006, 03:40 PM // 15:40

You don't have to subscribe to the base emotions of hating the other side. I recommend we wait for the actual release and find out what the whole story is before jumping to petty squabbling as to which side is better.

I realized when I ran into Moleneux(sp?) outside the Kurzick side of Fort Aspenwood, that I was killing Dredge (yes - to save my own hide

) and he said his people were just trying to escape the fighting in Sorrows Furnace. It made me wonder if there is a lot more to the Kurzick/Luxon Faction War?

It seems to me that A-Net knows what they are doing and that it will be an immersive and enjoyable adventure. Why else would I spend nearly 1,000 hours over the last 7 months playing when I have a family and 2 jobs.

(Wife plays too, so that kind of counts as two birds with one stone!)

Snowman · Mar 28, 2006, 03:48 PM // 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

Got to love kids and yes adults spew out insults on a game and agrue on each side. I thought it was hiralous.

lol, and I think it was harmless fun... people are simply getting into the spirits of things..

Everyone likes to have something to 'support'... thats why Football is the biggest and most popular game in the world (and for you americans I mean Soccer)

Luxons 4 L1F3 !!
(Daaaaamn predictable Kurzicks!)

Dove_Song · Mar 28, 2006, 07:07 PM // 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy IzIz

. arenas feel like sport to me, play a match, shake hands and move on to the next match. Maybe the person u just played against is on ur team now.

hope i am wrong.

Wow tell me where those Arena's are!

But I have to agree with you a bit....Though if you were present for the end of the event , Event, I think you'll find that the Luxins and Kurzicks will have to unite and face this common enemy. The over all vibe is very Simular to Final Fantasy 11 Online. At least to me it was. A few semi-warring nations having to band together to fight a common evil.....

dreamhunk · Mar 28, 2006, 07:31 PM // 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crispie

All I can say is, this might not be the right chapter for you, sorry bud

All I say is your drive more people away from the game! You will find this fourm is not pv byuss!

ElinoraNeSangre · Mar 28, 2006, 08:29 PM // 20:29

I'm torn on the actual factions part myself. On one hand, it is lame to see people running around going, "Oh you suck because you're whatever faction". It comes off as insulting and rude.

Alternately, though, while I felt no need to diss the other side of the fence, I didn't think there was any harm in people doing it (as opposed to insulting specific players for their choice). On Sunday night/Monday morning, everyone was throwing parties. The Kurzick side, for example, were very much "We don't need any syncronized dancing like those stupid Luxons!" and I found it rather amusing that that faction was specifically doing things to *not* be like the other. It's the kind of stuff that would happen in real life in a situation like this. People diss the other side. From an RPG perspective, it puts a number of people more in character than they were before. It gives them something to rally against.

I maintain, though - if you have doubts, you're free to post them, because ANet will never know what they need to make more clear or improve on if no one says anything.

And who knows, some people could be making their choice based on assumptions that are wrong, and people can then explain (and I've had my share of bad assumptions, too!).

Personally, I'm going to play through on one side, throw my whole heart into it, and then spend all my Faction points like mad and go to the other side and love it, too. Some people seem to think that makes it too easy to change sides, but others thing that it's lame that there's sides in the first place. I think being able to trade in points (and get LOOT in the process) is a fine compromise between the two camps.

I was very doubtful, too, until I cashed in my Kurzick points, got me some amber, then realized I was very close to being able to switch to Luxon!

Mandy Memory · Mar 28, 2006, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Lorwinia

But I do see guild wars as a sport. You don't get any exercise and you get fat, but hey it's fun.

i'm 90lbs btw ^^

Lol

But the sport thing is rather true, if only for the reason that if a Luxon and Kurzick were on the same team...they wouldnt know so without someone telling the other.

And me too

Lol clicking keeps me thin!

Eet GnomeSmasher · Mar 28, 2006, 10:01 PM // 22:01

Personally I think the Luxon/Kurzick "Nationalism" is a good thing. It might divert all the racism and anti foreign crap that people always spout when it came to holding Favour. Now maybe instead of "f-ing $%@* Koreans" we'll have "f-ing $%@* Luxons!"

Phoenix Avenger · Mar 28, 2006, 10:12 PM // 22:12

I dont mind the different factions so much as the immature idiots who played during the event. This was a preview event however, so they could use new accounts and cuss all they want and be as racist as they want without getting thier real account banned. When the actual game launches I'm guessing we will have less of the f-bombs and less racism being spewed about because people will be more hesitant to get thier account banned and all thier hard work lost. Dividing the world into two factions is fun, as long as the language is kept civlized

spiffy · Mar 28, 2006, 10:18 PM // 22:18

i was kinda disappointed in the pve of the preview i actually like new faction system..but then again im a ao fan and im used to ppl yelling omni scum at me
so i guess il just have to get used to suxons now

Alni Deathstryk · Mar 28, 2006, 10:27 PM // 22:27

back to the banding together comments....
Shiro tagachi was killed by a luxon and kurzick warrior....
hmmmmm symbolism?
i think so...

=HT=Ingram · Mar 29, 2006, 12:21 AM // 00:21

if you think there is not racism in Prophecies campaign you have not been watching the game very close... or you're just blind... It may not have been intended, but its there. HUGELY... Factions in fact makes it less personal and more game centric at least...

in any case the kur lux thing is about the middle of the game, After harvest temple your basically one side again, and before that region, meaning the city and the monastery your not allied as of yet with any side...

Rey Lentless · Mar 29, 2006, 01:10 AM // 01:10

I like it personally. It provides some connection between pve and pvp.

Instead of focusing in on the 'enemy' that is the opposite faction of whatever you choose, think of the camaraderie that you can have with your own faction.

I really can't stand people trying to go out of their way to be offended. This political correct garbage is part of what's wrong with America. Over litigious society just begging to find something they can contrue as offensive. Give me a break.