Curse

jsockel · Jan 27, 2006, 07:31 PM // 19:31

As a person who has 4 dedicated PvE characters, and who plays a lot of PvP (over 60K faction), I feel as well that one slot for each primary profession would be great. I'd love a PvP exclusive slot, but that's icing to me, as I use my PvE characters in PvP and do just fine.

I have been considering a second account, because all 4 of my characters have finished the game, and I've moved on to farming, because of a lack of new content (other than the recent Wintersday stuff, which I finished).

However, I am reluctant to buy a new account because of the unlocking problem (and I'm a person who likes 100% completion, so I'd want everything unlocked on both accounts!), and with Factions coming out, I am continuing to hold off. In addition, there is new content coming out for all of the professions, to my knowledge, so why would I want to give up a completed lvl 20 ele when she's going to get new skills when Factions comes out?

Coming from a technical background, I can certainly understand why A.Net doesn't want to merge accounts: there is no way to automate it; each request would be a separate trouble-ticket into their technical support, and even if code was written to automatically 'merge' data, it's still a lot of work.

However, I believe (and A.Net, correct me if I'm wrong), the mechanism for adding character slots to existing accounts is already in place for Factions.

While I see potential concern from A.Net regarding the economy or 'fairness' for those who could buy more slots; I see the purchasing of 2nd-hand accounts as a bigger problem. I don't want to pay $50 for another key, but I would pay $12-20 on Ebay. This means that A.Net doesn't see any of that money. I'm stuck buying a redundant product, paying for software and packaging, when all I really want is the slots. People are getting these slots if they really want them, for whatever their reasons (mules, farming, more primary profs). Why wouldn't A.Net buy into the idea of more slots for sale? It would be money in their pocket (as opposed to resellers on eBay), the mechanism is in place, and it's happening already. Personally, I'd pay $10-20 for an extra slot.

To people who say that 4 or 5 or however many is enough; it's clearly not for many PvE players. Due to the length of time between significant content releases (no complaints, it's just the development cycle), I'd consider it a pleasure to be able to start a character with a new profession from scratch and play through the game again. Doing the Fort Ranik mission with a level 20 just isn't the same. Having more slots means that I'll stay with the game longer.

The incentive for A.Net to do this is that I'm going to get bored with doing the same missions or farming, and put GW to the side in favor of another game. Maybe I won't bother to pick it back up again, which means that I will pass on the expansion (again, no threat, just an observation of a possible outcome).

I support the idea of the maximum number of slots on one account (plus 1 for pure PvP, but icing for me, as I said) to be equal to the number of professions in the game.

I understand that far, far into the future, there may come a time when I cannot play all 16 of my characters through the next expansion, but the amount of time it takes to play depends on the player. I say we tackle that when we get there.

How we get them?

-Buy them: $10-20 per slot, allowed for owners of either C1 or C2
-Release enough slots with Factions to give 8 slots to all owners of both chapters.

My preference is to purchase them. Why? Because that's how A.Net can customize to the needs of the players. To those of you who say 4 is plenty; A.Net doesn't have to set space aside for your potential slots. For folks who want 8 slots, well, we'll pay up to have them (gladly, in my case).

Mordakai · Jan 27, 2006, 08:28 PM // 20:28

OK, I'm gonna change my stance because something just occured to me...

what's the difference in server space if someone owns two separate accounts with 8 characters total, or someone who has one account with 8 characters?

In that respect, it makes no sense for Anet not to offer 4 more slots to everyone, regardless if it's installed separately or merged with an existing account.

Comments?

jtjuska · Jan 27, 2006, 08:53 PM // 20:53

From my experience in computers (AA in Networking, going for my bachelors now) there really isn't any difference. If there is a difference to me it would make sense that it would take more server space for a new account because that would be another entry in the database which would eat up a little bit more than just adding slots to a current account (very small bit but still something). I just don't see the reason why they want so badly for you to buy a second account (other than money for them, i get that). Thats what I know anyways

~jtjuska

MoldyRiceFrenzy · Jan 27, 2006, 10:37 PM // 22:37

i want at least 2+ new slots...

Loviatar · Jan 29, 2006, 12:43 AM // 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brknkybrd

What? I've never been able to get more than one instance of Guild Wars to run at a time... I would think you'd need two computers for that!

How did you manage that?

when search is back up check my recent posts as i gave 2 methods (other peoples) that work.

Gethrel · Jan 30, 2006, 02:21 AM // 02:21

Well I have two accounts and I'll buy factions for both of them...

Manic Smile · Jan 30, 2006, 04:02 AM // 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsockel

As a person who has 4 dedicated PvE characters, and who plays a lot of PvP (over 60K faction), I feel as well that one slot for each primary profession would be great. I'd love a PvP exclusive slot, but that's icing to me, as I use my PvE characters in PvP and do just fine.

...sniped for space conservation...

My preference is to purchase them. Why? Because that's how A.Net can customize to the needs of the players. To those of you who say 4 is plenty; A.Net doesn't have to set space aside for your potential slots. For folks who want 8 slots, well, we'll pay up to have them (gladly, in my case).

/agree

Mordakai · Jan 30, 2006, 05:24 AM // 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtjuska

From my experience in computers (AA in Networking, going for my bachelors now) there really isn't any difference. If there is a difference to me it would make sense that it would take more server space for a new account because that would be another entry in the database which would eat up a little bit more than just adding slots to a current account (very small bit but still something). I just don't see the reason why they want so badly for you to buy a second account (other than money for them, i get that). Thats what I know anyways

~jtjuska

Unless you can merge two accounts (to unlock all skills), I see no point in buying a second account.

If you could merge two accounts, Anet could make even more money.

Kai Nui · Jan 30, 2006, 06:03 AM // 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Al

i like what someone else in a different thread said...in chapter 1 we had 4 slots for 6 different professions, or 66%....now theyre going to give us 5 slots for 8 professions, or 62.5%....so theyre actually lowering the percentage for us, the loyal gamers who will have chapters 1 and 2

Not to mention that we had only 36 possible character profession choices, and now we have double that with a whopping 64 character profession choices. I say we have 6 slots, why? For: W/R, Mo/E, Me/N, A/Rt, and two PvP slots.

Hanok Odbrook · Jan 30, 2006, 06:51 AM // 06:51

If I recall correctly, the issue of character slots was brought up even before the release of Chapter 1, with the response being that the number would be set at four with the possibility of being expanded later on. Regardless, in my not so humble opinion, the minimum number of character slots should equal the number of primary professions in any RPG game. A big part of the fun and replayability of any game is the chance to play through an entire campaign or scenario with differing characters. Limiting one's ability to do that seriously hampers the fun factor of any game. I bought a second account for GW just so I can run through the entire game with a primary from each profession, then experiment with each in PvP action. Does anyone care to try to explain to me why I should have no problem deleting a character I spent nearly the past year of my spare time cultivating only to casually toss it out the window to spend an equal amount of time on a new character which may turn out not to preferable to my original build? I don't have the luxury of being a power-gamer so running a character through the entire game takes a minimum of months, not the weeks or even days that more hard-core gamers may have, so I have a lot invested in each of these characters and have no desire to casually toss them by the wayside. It aggravates me enough when I have to re-level a pet for a Ranger when the Endangered Species quest forces you to dump the one you have if it's not a Melandru's Stalker in order to complete the quest. I certainly have no desire to dump a level 20 ascended warrior just to see if I'll like playing a mesmer better.

Let's just remember that there are more than just the six current primary professions in GW - there are hundreds of different possible character builds if you factor in the sub-professions for each of the primaries. Now if I wanted to play a Geomancer either as a prime or secondary, I don't even have that chance in Pre-Searing - I have to go to Post to even get the first couple of Earth skills. Even doing that is a lot of time invested for us casual gamers. I don't think its too much to ask to give us at least enough slots to play each of the primary professions to see which one we like the best. In regards to whether a slot should be dedicated to a PvP only character, that seems a bit pointless. Whether there are 5 slots or 10 slots available, we all have the choice of using them either for RPG or PvP characters. If you're a PvPer, then use them for PvPing. If you're a PvEer, then we should be able to use them for PvE. Surprisingly enough, not all on-line gamers have an interest in PvP action, so in absolutely no way should they be told they can't use a character slot unless they play the game in a way they don't like to play.

I enjoy playing GW. I couldn't wait until it was released and even built a completely new system on which to be able to play it. I enjoy replaying Pre-Searing with each of the new primary professions from the second account. However, my decision to buy Chapter 2 will be based primarily on the following things: The differences between the stand-alone sequel version and the expansion pack upgrade version including the number of available slots in each, and whether either/or can be linked to my current account(s); and the amount of additional storage that will come along with the next chapter - after all, saving that one space in each character's storage for the Tapestry Shred is really starting to get on my nerves. It would be my desire to be able to play through the entirety of Chapter 1 (including Pre-Searing) with the two new professions, however unlikely that will turn out to be. But again, as I said before, that's part of the attraction for replaying this game for me. Even though Pre-Searing never changes, there are different strategies and different ways of completing the quests based on the build of each character you play with, so it has yet to reach a point of boredom for me. However, my frustration level with some of the limitations imposed by the developers is rising, and I would hate to have to forgo future chapters because I feel my time is too important to delete out of hand.

Hanok Odbrook
Real Millennium Group Guild
http://www.realmillenniumgroup.com/guild.html
Truth * Knowledge * Peace

Katari · Jan 30, 2006, 07:45 AM // 07:45

@Hanok Odbrook,
Very well said, and I agree completly.

@People who think 4 slots is currently enough.
Can anyone see any real harm in adding more slots? Within reasonable limits of course. All I see is arguments where people say "Well I feel we have enough, so that means we have enough." Just because you don't want to play the full game, dosn't mean others don't want to.

Cons:
-Cost? No, It's fractions of a penny per slot, if that.
-Ballance? You'd have considerably more room on an account. Of course, you can currently buy another account if you reall feel the need. Besides, In general, the extra storage is a non-issue. (what percentage of players have over 10k again?) Pfft. Reduce the size of my backpack and give me two more slots.

Pros:
-No more unessacary deletion of hard work if you'd like to try a new class.
-More varaity. No more jig-saw puzzle partyforming (Ok, who has a monk?). There would be room for the less common classes, Mesmer, Ranger, (Ele? Necro?) Since they wouldn't be crowding out a Monk, War, (Nec?).
-If enough were added, there would be many more players with a PvP-Only slot. This may or may not help introduce PvE people to PvP.

Guild Wars is Fantastic in many ways. PvP-only chars, Attribute and skill changes for free, easily acessable gear and max level. With all this freedom, I simply have no idea why they didn't apply this mode of thinking to char slots. Why can I effortlessly switch from Aeromancer/Necro to Geomancer/Monk but get limited to four slots? The game offers an unparalelled degree of flexability on many levels, yet it offers almost none here.

About the issue of buying slots. Would I? Yes, I would, without hesitating. I want to see this resloved asap, and it it takes buying the slots from A.Net, then I will. Buying slots is no more problematic than buying another account. On the contrary, it's a better option that insiting that people buy another account if they want more slots. ($13 or less is what I would consider fair.)

Ensabah Nur · Jan 30, 2006, 03:19 PM // 15:19

@Hanok Odbrook,
Very well said, and I agree completly.
@Katari,
Very well said.

Currently in my household we own 4 copies of GW Prophecies(so fair enough to say we have done our part to support Anet/GW)

I for one would think it would be great to be able to link Prophecies accounts together(we might buy another copy if this was possible).

I will not comment again on Factions, my thoughts on Factions have been posted thouroughly enough already.

Nevin · Jan 31, 2006, 12:14 AM // 00:14

Hmm, I thought of a fairly decent theory, not sure if anyones posted it.

Quite simple, for every consecutive Guild Wars expansion you own, your account gets one more character slot (That is if you keep the same account through out each expansion) And if I haven't yet, just for good measure. /signed

Shadowfox1125 · Jan 31, 2006, 02:54 AM // 02:54

Ok, I'm all for the two slots, but think about this:
When GW came out, we were given 4 slots with 6 professions. They did not give us, in total, 6 slots. Why should they give us 2 for 2 new professions..? 4/6 does not equal 2/2.. They gave us 4 at the beginning and many of us accepted it. ..

But I understand that everyone, including myself, want to try both professions.
Um.. whoever had the 8 slots comment.. 8 is too much. Anet wants $$ too..

Loviatar · Jan 31, 2006, 03:05 AM // 03:05

Katari

2 choices

1. it is as cheap and easy as you say it is.

then they are deliberately angering customers for no reason when they could just hand them out and make more money on sold slots, merged accounts, etc.

2. you have no idea of what the cost or difficulty involved is as you dont work there.

in which case i will take Anets word that it is a much more involved and difficult thing to do than people think

choices, choices

go for someone who casually throws out random figures or someone who has worked at Anet for 5 years.

i choose Anet rep

Kai Nui · Jan 31, 2006, 03:24 AM // 03:24

I say 6 is a fair amount. Not too much, not too little. Allows us to have a good flexibility with our characters. I really don't like the PVE portion of the game anymore, mainly because I've been through it so many times.

Nevin · Jan 31, 2006, 05:38 AM // 05:38

If you PvP, you only need 1 free slot... How lazy can you be? Just create/recreate.

Katari · Jan 31, 2006, 05:39 AM // 05:39

Hmm, lets assume a 1GB/$1 ratio. Thats like a 100GB HD for $100 (Except we're talking slightly larger drives), and the servers to run it. Maybe the servers shoot the price to a hefty 1GB/$3 (I notice a Dell server with ~40000GB storage selling for $13k). A char slot that takes 1Mb of space, far more than I suspect they would need.
$0.003 per slot? Meh, even if my math is off, it would take a considerable amount of error to push that past a few cents per slot.

I understand restricting the amount of slots, otherwise it would get out of hand. But every game, ever, that I have purchased, has kept it reasonable. Unless the A.Net servers are run in some shockingly special way, I simply cannot see how a char slot would take more than a cent's worth of space.

Nothing, short of a response from an A.Net rep would convince me that the limited slots are not: A) A twisted Sense of balance, B) Some sort of way to increase profit. (Besides cutting costs, well, see next paragraph)

Actualy, no, thats not fair. I'm quite convinced that A.Net will fix the problem with Factions. 4+4≠6. How can you make sure that diehard PvE players will buy a sequal/expansion game that has a greater (So it seems currently) emphisis on PvP? You solve some major problems for them, lack of slots is a huge problem. If buying both C1 and Factions would bring it to one slot per primary, then you'd get more people buying both. If Faction's failed to do this, many PvE players will be seriously ticked off (More so than the complaints about nerfs).

Eh, take it as you will. I just don't buy the idea that it's shockingly expensive and difficult to add char slots. They appear to have alternate motives for the limits.

The Maleficus · Feb 01, 2006, 11:18 AM // 11:18

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but the original Guild Wars is not needed to play Factions. Therefore there will be many new players who will purchase Factions first (before getting Guild Wars if they like Factions alot).

Isn't it unfair to them if they have only like 1 character slot? Thus I think that at the very least there should be 3 additional character slots.

Kaguya · Feb 01, 2006, 11:23 AM // 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katari

Hmm, lets assume a 1GB/$1 ratio. Thats like a 100GB HD for $100 (Except we're talking slightly larger drives), and the servers to run it. Maybe the servers shoot the price to a hefty 1GB/$3 (I notice a Dell server with ~40000GB storage selling for $13k). A char slot that takes 1Mb of space, far more than I suspect they would need.
$0.003 per slot? Meh, even if my math is off, it would take a considerable amount of error to push that past a few cents per slot.

You are forgetting several aspects.

You'll have to maintain somekind of RAID system for the database. You probably have to keep multiple copies of the database online at the same time. You need to run constant backups. You might even need to enlarge the datacenter to fit the new hardware.

There's hundreds of thousands of players who would most probably make that char with their new spiffy slot, and that starts to eat DB space, especially when you need to duplicate and backup that data, also extra work for server maintenance team.

Adding more space to a server/database farm isn't as easy as going to nearest store and buying a 100GB hard drive.