Curse

Gaile Gray · Feb 02, 2006, 07:01 AM // 07:01

I understand, HT. All I can say is that you know that Guild Wars is very well known for giving you choices. Certainly regions have their own looks and feels, and you cannot "choose" to avoid the Crystal Desert if you want to ascend. On the other hand, your character choices are quite extensive, and destined to grow over time.

The early look of the last event weekend is only that -- an early look. There willl be so many choices that you'll have a hard time deciding, I'm sure.

Captain Arne Is PRO · Feb 02, 2006, 07:25 AM // 07:25

i didnt read much of it but i think i saw something about him disliking the asian looks of the characters

and decided to mention that the origin of the assassin is asia really, theyre a ninja type character...

and the ritualist i didn't even try

Ruvaen · Feb 02, 2006, 08:15 AM // 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by =HT=Ingram

Now I know NCSoft and ArenaNet have been trying to break into Asian markets with Guild Wars: Factions and gain a foothold. And that this is the reasoning behind the much more Asian theme of the next chapter. However I do hope this is not a permanent trend. I mean look at all the new character types.. not the class, but the actual character designs... Almost all of them have an Asian look. The reason for this is that Most Asian nationalities take serious offense with any game that does not make in game characters that share Asian characteristics. Often this is why many American developed games never make it in these countries. Originally the concept was that there would be as many regional characteristics available to choose from as there are countries the game is played in. Maybe even locking certain characteristics for faces and body types to certain regions.

Now we only saw the first sampiling of new content once. but everything I read on the subject seems to maintain the focus on the Asian theme for chapter 2... I'm just wondering if this will continue in this pattern? or if like the real world, as the game expands through chapters, if it will reflect a different regional theme in different chapters?

This is a form of reverse discrimination in a way. But it is just a game. personally I don't care that much. its mostly just a query of the direction the market is going... If it all of the sudden goes from medieval fantasy skins to ALL asian themed skins.. well that significantly changes many players view of the game. From Fun Fantasy to a KungFu movie style game...

Especially once you start seeing the New designed levels which look in some places to be very much like the slums of China. Now not saying its not fabulous looking or that the game will change as a whole. it just seems to change the theme so much... It may just be me, but I hope this is just a one chapter trend, and they will be back to more traditional fantasy themes for the game lore in the future.

Ingram of Haz.

Honestly, from a Japanese perspective, it's much more offensive to see the perpetuation of half-baked western misconceptions of "asian" cultures. Just consider the spectacular success Memoirs of a Geisha had in China and Japan. The funniest thing was when I caught a caucasian movie critic praise the movie on historical accuracy while they were showing a clip of Ziyi Zhang dressed and walking as though she was a prostitute (albeit a specific one that did exist during the Edo period) which a geisha would never have been caught dead doing. Bravo Hollywood.

Really, was the introduction of a Japanese-like culture in AD&D supposed to boost popularity amongst asians? The reality of it is that westerners are the ones that are fascinated by the "mysterious Orient," which can be illustrated by a number of embarrassing social phenomenons that can be observed in the US. The Chinese, Korean and Japanese don't want to see idiotic manifestations of their cultures in western products nor do they want to see hyper-asian faces in the media or the games they play.

kvndoom · Feb 02, 2006, 08:17 AM // 08:17

Geesh, have you forgotten (or even knew in the first place) that GW was originally SUPPOSED to be feudal-Asian themed? Originally there were gonna be samurai and ninja and stuff. Look at some of the guild battles and notice the Oriental architecture. Even a lot of the ruins you encounter and some of the NPC's have an Asian flavor. Have you noticed how most (if not all) of the Hydra bosses from the desert onward have Asian names? At some point during development the game was "Americanized," but it was originally going to be a lot different from what you see now. If anything, Chapter 2 is going to be closer to the game Chapter 1 was initially slated to be.

konohamaru heaven · Feb 02, 2006, 08:33 AM // 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I guess I can only say what I feel: Beautiful is beautiful. The world of Cantha is breathtakingly lovely, as was the world of Tyria. I simply love to BE there. The casts of light, the colours, the reflections on the waters, the feel of a real and living world -- it is the stuff that dreams are made of. And yes, Guild Wars has given me a fantasy world of which, honestly, I have often dreamed. What is better than that?

That the land pays a nod to noble cultures and landscapes and architectures that reverberate distinctly and positively throughout the globe is a good thing. That the characters embrace those who may look exactly like us, or totally unlike us, is also a good thing.

I am very pleased by the look and the feel of the land of Cantha, just as I was delighted in the land of Tyria. Beautiful is beautiful. We should embrace that, for nothing else really matters.

I have to agree that Cantha is quite Beautiful place to be in and something definately worth waiting for ::goes off to do something to pass the time away till release of chapter 2::

~Konohamaru

Soul Shaker · Feb 02, 2006, 08:44 AM // 08:44

I reckon the next theme would be arabic. But, if you read the OP, you'll find that in no way is he discriminating, or saying he dislikes the theme, but instead is afraid that this trend will continue. That the next chapter will have the same theme as the last. I doubt this will happen, but still.

tuldor · Feb 02, 2006, 08:46 AM // 08:46

Speaking of roleplaying, I have no objection to this asian look, even if it seems to be everywhere. In this chapter, the events take place in what would be the east for us, thus a different country to travel to for our existing, caucasian characters.

First chapter took place in what would be the west... So it makes sense, there is some balance. And I would have no objection either to play a chapter three among black characters...

I must admit that I prefer the western look of the buildings, armors and stuff, but it will bring some changes and open many minds. Plus Cantha seems to be gorgeous looking !!!

Luk Raak · Feb 02, 2006, 09:12 AM // 09:12

^indeed.

They're creating the game with different continents, and thus different 'nationalities' and different looks. I think it's nice they are kind ofbuilding a whole world on a fantasy theme, that reflects to our real world. I don't mind playing with a asian guy, black guy, red guy, martian

. as long as the character itself looks good, and there are plenty of choices to make yours unique.

The new character looks just fit in with the theme of the buildings, surroundings. (like they did with chap1: kind of Mideaval (don't know if that's spelled right, i'm non english European) where the characters had a western look)

Qealoth · Feb 02, 2006, 10:54 AM // 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul Shaker

I reckon the next theme would be arabic.

That gives an idea.
Given that Anet, i am sure, will continue with GW for at leeast another year we can expect 2 more chapters after chapter three that is coming out this year.
So the obvious theme are.
African
American (and i mean the indegeneous american culture)
Thn one can guess to his heart content what others might be.
I can really see Arabic being a great theme specially with their great architecture and never endings tales and legends. Also indian has great potential .
After that i really dont see any other great civilisation. well perhaps egyptians, maya, mongol, persian But these imo do not have a rather special specific theme that others havent.

myword · Feb 02, 2006, 11:18 AM // 11:18

"The reason for this is that Most Asian nationalities take serious offense with any game that does not make in game characters that share Asian characteristics."

what have you been reading!

Grimm · Feb 02, 2006, 11:23 AM // 11:23

The game is set on another contient which happens to be asian-themed. How is this a problem? What, do all games have to be set in pseudo-european areas?

Ju_Smurph · Feb 02, 2006, 11:26 AM // 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I guess I can only say what I feel: Beautiful is beautiful. The world of Cantha is breathtakingly lovely, as was the world of Tyria. I simply love to BE there. The casts of light, the colours, the reflections on the waters, the feel of a real and living world -- it is the stuff that dreams are made of. And yes, Guild Wars has given me a fantasy world of which, honestly, I have often dreamed. What is better than that?

That the land pays a nod to noble cultures and landscapes and architectures that reverberate distinctly and positively throughout the globe is a good thing. That the characters embrace those who may look exactly like us, or totally unlike us, is also a good thing.

I am very pleased by the look and the feel of the land of Cantha, just as I was delighted in the land of Tyria. Beautiful is beautiful. We should embrace that, for nothing else really matters.

Amen to that, Coming from an artists point of veiw here, there are things in life that influence you and you go wow, i really want to do something like that. These things change as we strive for new experiences in life.

I had a big speil, but you will either understand or wont.

Tijger · Feb 02, 2006, 11:42 AM // 11:42

Maybe the TS should consider this a game, not real life, and I for one am not looking for a game which has some kind of politically correct color/ethnicity balance per region.

If my assassin where to look asian..so be it, I dont look anything like my current char's because for one I'm not female and if I was I'd suspect I wouldnt look like I just walked out of a Victoria's Secret catalogue.

So this is a really silly point, if you are going to complain about that why not complain that your char's all look like fashion models or body builders?

Maybe, just maybe, its a fantasy

sun is in us · Feb 02, 2006, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul Shaker

I reckon the next theme would be arabic. But, if you read the OP, you'll find that in no way is he discriminating, or saying he dislikes the theme, but instead is afraid that this trend will continue. That the next chapter will have the same theme as the last. I doubt this will happen, but still.

I was going to say perhaps an Arabic/Arabian Knights theme might happen.

Or a Dark Sygian (African) setting.

Personally, since we don't have Playable Race choices, the cultures thing is a nice way to bring diversity in content imho.

Loviatar · Feb 02, 2006, 05:14 PM // 17:14

what about the possibility of an african theme ranging from veldt to jungle to mountains?

a theme from india?

an antarctic theme with a conan type opening into a lush subterainian world?

south america?

lots of choices

a blend maybe?

=HT=Ingram · Feb 02, 2006, 05:35 PM // 17:35

well something that I had mention in the past was being able to play not only as different classes but different races... frog himself mentioned Gnomes at one point... Possibly even Charr as a playable character at some point... I know I read that in one of the Galie / Frog logs someplace... Those are the kinds of things I see happening in future chapters... in addition to addition of new regions and cultures. Egyptian Lore, itself has a unique possibility, just as the Current Asian theme does... Atlantean Lore kinda fits with the story of Orr in the game... No not the Stargate version. but that of Plato. lol Heck Orr has so much in and of itself going on you could even build a cross dimensional portal that took players back in time to Orr itself Pre Disaster eventually... It actually fits with the storyline... The possibilities are endless... Races, Culture, Mystical Time travel, any number of things are good fodder for new chapters...

KANE OG · Feb 02, 2006, 08:16 PM // 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostlyranger

I m dissapointed with you making a thread like this, seems like you are the one that are so serious about how the game look like, but not the asian.

The reason why most games dont sold as good in asia is because of how expensive a game can be (due to currency exchange rate/tax) and piracy.

Very untrue. Just walk down the street in any major Asian city and you can buy bootleg music, movies and games for cheap.

lagrand1 · Feb 02, 2006, 08:48 PM // 20:48

Personally as a western white guy, I love the asian theme.

Asians are perhaps the most artistic culture, and asian weaponry/armor/and war lore are probably the most beautiful anywhere ever.

I say keep it up ANet. Let's get some death palm and monkey forms next chapter.

Valdaran Longfoot · Feb 02, 2006, 08:56 PM // 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostlyranger

if talking about console,

PS2 is the one that sell good in asia, because it can be mod and support for illegal disc(piracy). and ofcourse there are many good games on PS2 platform

most asian dont buy xbox because the games xbox offer. it just look like it is another PC.

Uh........ first of all Asian should be caps.

Second, Xbox does badly in Asia becasue of the SPACE it takes up. Here in America we have no issues with small housing, but in Asia a Xbox doesn't fit well in the room. Furniture isn't as wide so it will either stick out over the end or into the room. Don't believe me? Go to Asia. I have.

PS2 does SO well there for the fact that its Sony, and it is extremly short or tall and thin. It fits much better.

yangster · Feb 02, 2006, 09:03 PM // 21:03

What's with people having a problem with the Asian theme? It's only going to be this chapter. Who cares how the characters look, is it really that important? I think not.