Curse

skull · Sep 01, 2005, 02:01 PM // 14:01

Hi,

Sorry beforehand to ask questions that no one has the answers to.

I have some questions about how ANet will continue GW in the future.

1) So if I understand correctly, they will be releasing new chapters in the GW series about once every 6 months, starting from 1Q 2006. Would these new chapters require GW chapter 1 to play or would they be stand alones?

Personally I think that if future GW chapters require chapter 1 to play (and its not included in the sales package), there could be trouble. With any expansion series, sales will go down with each following chapter...unless there is a way to get new ppl to buy the game.

One way of getting new ppl to buy the game is to include all content from previous chapters. OR include new content (e.g. quests) for each and every new chapter specifically for beginners OR there could be a system that the quests are the same, but the game instances are based on the lvl of the character playing the quest. For example: a lvl 20 character would do the same quest as a lvl 10 but the monsters for his instance are much tougher. This would work fine until PUG where you could have a large variation in character lvls.

How in the blazes will ANet manage to do this?

2) OK. Now ais ANet going to continue releasing new chapters for GW for a year or two or do you think they have plans to make a GW2?

If they would make a GW2, I think that there might be some problems on the horizon for the original GW. Because, there is no monthly fee (thank God almighty for this) wouldn't there be a very high possibility that having a second project would eventually mean the downfall of the original GW? I am guessing other online games (such as WoW) that charge a monthly fee can continue to sustain their service. In the case Blizzard decides to make WoW2 then WoW would support itself by using the subscription fees from its players, thus staying online for as long as there are enough players to support it. I think Asheron's Call2 might be an example fof this. Asheron's Call2 service will be stopped while the original is still online.

What about GW? If ANet decides to make GW2, they would put a lot of money and effort into this game essentially taking profits from GW to fund GW2. Isn't there a danger that once GW2 is up and running that GW service could be stopped because there isn't a monthly fee to support it?

Any answers or comments?

terrordactyl · Sep 01, 2005, 02:18 PM // 14:18

I don't think there will be a GW2 for many years...more likely to see 5 or 6 chapters for GW first (3 years) then you are looking at probably 2-3 years developing GW2. Sales are always the deciding factor though in these things.

Shanaeri Rynale · Sep 01, 2005, 02:32 PM // 14:32

I guess it depends on how well the current cost model is working.

It's an obvious point, but if the ongoing cost of running the game, outstrips the revenue in sales then either it will change to a cost per month or it will fold..

jdwoody · Sep 01, 2005, 02:36 PM // 14:36

Quote:

Personally I think that if future GW chapters require chapter 1 to play (and its not included in the sales package), there could be trouble. With any expansion series, sales will go down with each following chapter...unless there is a way to get new ppl to buy the game.

Most games release the expansion and then after period of time they sell a combination of the base + expansion at a discounted price. It wouldn't make much sense to just sell the expansion as it will more than likely be for ascended characters only and you can't get an ascended character w/o going through chapter 1.

I'm hopeful for GW's future, still enjoy playing it and will more than likely buy chapter 2, but unless they make some pretty wholesale changes I think the player base will continue to drop...

Loviatar · Sep 01, 2005, 03:20 PM // 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by skull

One way of getting new ppl to buy the game is to include all content from previous chapters. OR include new content (e.g. quests) for each and every new chapter specifically for beginners OR there could be a system that the quests are the same, but the game instances are based on the lvl of the character playing the quest. For example: a lvl 20 character would do the same quest as a lvl 10 but the monsters for his instance are much tougher. This would work fine until PUG where you could have a large variation in character lvls.

How in the blazes will ANet manage to do this?
?

from GW rep

Quote:

from GW

Guild Wars, in contrast, is based around your skill as a player. Our maximum level is twenty and you hit that very quickly, after about 20-30 hours of play. ,We call that 'The Point of Ascension'. Almost all of the content in the game and in the future Chapters is only available to Ascended characters, which means we don't have to worry about providing different levels of content. All the good stuff will be available to everyone. It's not our intent to force people onto the levelling up treadmill, so the level cap in Guild Wars is almost meaningless.

there was also a note that future chapters could be mixed and marched.

i am assuming chapter 1 is needed and would be supplied at no extra cost for sales promotion.

*buy chapter 2 and get the entire chapter 1 game for free *

*2 full games for the price of 1*

*still no monthly fee*

works for me

Akimb0 · Sep 01, 2005, 03:25 PM // 15:25

Anet cant do just plain old GW correctly, they dont have a hope in hell of keeping a fanbase and I predict GW is dead/dying badly by 2006.

"All the good stuff will be available to everyone" - Bullshit. All the stuff in regular GW isnt available to everyone.

"The game relies on player skill not hours played" - Another lie by A-net. Total BS.

Shinsei · Sep 01, 2005, 03:28 PM // 15:28

I predict that GW will be played for a very long time, and the expansions will be bought, simply because it's one of the few subscription free online "1-massive server" RPG's. However, I don't think this game will ever be anywhere close to a hardcore competetive game like A.net promises. A.net has made a profit, but they certainly haven't made a masterpiece.

Witchblade · Sep 01, 2005, 03:38 PM // 15:38

The future of the game ll depend if more game content is added or not...
One new and some new items isnt just enough...and i m quite afraid by the idea of new classes

(= obvious imbalance) and new races (= useless)

ElderAtronach · Sep 01, 2005, 03:41 PM // 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanaeri Rynale

I guess it depends on how well the current cost model is working.

It's an obvious point, but if the ongoing cost of running the game, outstrips the revenue in sales then either it will change to a cost per month or it will fold..

Well, the way Guild Wars areas are instanced is far more manageable than the "persistent" areas of say, WoW. I have not heard of any server downtime since I started playing. From what I've seen so far, their approach has been to attract and keep a player base with patches (which have included new quests), and soon, the free "expansion" Sorrow's Furnace.

Obviously, if they continue to work on free material, they lose money, but may appease the player base more than if they just churned out expansion after expansion.

No monthly fees was the basis on which they marketed this game, so I see no reason for them to change it any time soon.

Shinsei · Sep 01, 2005, 03:45 PM // 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElderAtronach

No monthly fees was the basis on which they marketed this game, so I see no reason for them to change it any time soon.

So was skill over time spendt, but that flew out the window pretty fast. However, that's a debatable subject, so it's easier to throw something like that out than no monthly fees. But A.net has never said anything about other fees, such as extra character slots or pvp unlocks. They're already trying to take your money for more music, so why not?

Xonic · Sep 01, 2005, 03:53 PM // 15:53

Quote:

Any Predictions about GW's Future?

very bright and successful

Divinitys Creature · Sep 01, 2005, 03:57 PM // 15:57

They need a change in leadership at ANET. Because it comes across as if they are really indecisive and misinformed about a lot of their decisions in the past. They are getting better at this, but chapter 2 will need to be a lot less retarded than chapter 1. A lot of Chapter 2 has been already so who knows if they will be able to reverse any retarded decisions already made that are too expensive to turn back on.

Loviatar · Sep 01, 2005, 03:59 PM // 15:59

[QUOTE=Shinsei]However, I don't think this game will ever be anywhere close to a hardcore competetive game like A.net promises. QUOTE]

this was never marketed as a *hardcore* competitive game nor was it marketed as a *hardcore* DING must level grindmonkey game

it is pvp lite
pve lite
even farmer lite

the *hardcore* gamer is a small (in percent of players) nitch market.

for every hardcore that leaves there are a large number of *casual* players taking their place

after all the hardcore from all extremes shake out it will get even better.

and to the person that says it is dead.......join the crowd that said it would be gone by now.

note their backer (NCSoft) can carry it litterally for years building up a profitable player base as their other cash cows can carry it for a long time.

but since it is profitable on its own.........

TheGreatBoo · Sep 01, 2005, 04:01 PM // 16:01

While I do love this game, guildwars does not have the longevity to go on. Anet erred in too many ways. For example, we already have access to the best equipment, weapons, and level. What else is there to strive for in future updates and expansions? The only thing I think we can really hope for in the future are different weapons, skills, armors, classes, and perhaps an assload of new content such as missions and quests. I highly doubt that this will entertain players for very long however.

Loviatar · Sep 01, 2005, 04:07 PM // 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatBoo

While I do love this game, I highly doubt that this will entertain players for very long however.

that is exactly right.

all the buyers need is to feel that they really got theit moneys worth between chapters while they play some other game and as soon as the next chapter comes out they grab it and have another round of fun and then put it aside for something else.

my example is OBLIVION (Elder Scrolls number 4) which i will grab when it comes out and then grab chapter 2 when it comes out.

GW was never intended to be a constant everyday of your life game like eq or wow.

it is a game you enjoy then put aside til you feel like playing it again

TheGreatBoo · Sep 01, 2005, 04:11 PM // 16:11

Yeah. I can see myself casting it aside every now and then, but I know I will come back to it for explansions and updates.

Shinsei · Sep 01, 2005, 04:13 PM // 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

this was never marketed as a *hardcore* competitive game nor was it marketed as a *hardcore* DING must level grindmonkey game

it is pvp lite

I beg to differ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.guildwars.com/gameinfo/default.html

Built for Competition
If you like Player-versus-Player competition, Guild Wars was made for you.

If I didn't know better, the statement "Built for competition" alone, would lead me to believe that this game is anything but "pvp lite".

Xonic · Sep 01, 2005, 04:15 PM // 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatBoo

While I do love this game, guildwars does not have the longevity to go on. Anet erred in too many ways. For example, we already have access to the best equipment, weapons, and level. What else is there to strive for in future updates and expansions? The only thing I think we can really hope for in the future are different weapons, skills, armors, classes, and perhaps an assload of new content such as missions and quests. I highly doubt that this will entertain players for very long however.

I, for one, are very tried of endlessly having to raid to keep up with the new gear. Raid itself is fun, but if I missed a month of raiding, usually I ended up lefting behind by my guild, in key/flag/gear all areas which makes it not fun.

And endlessly better gear means the gear I worked hard to get today may worth nothing tomorrow, when new gear is discovered. And the zones/mobs that is challanging today may become too easy, way too easy to kill with the new gear tomorrow, which makes the game not fun except the very new zones.

The reason I have been play counter-strike for 6 years? It is skill based, not gear based. The same reason I like GW, I don't need to invest 20 hours/week to just keep my gear upto date, and another 20 hours/week to grind for exp.

Dwiggit · Sep 01, 2005, 04:23 PM // 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

the *hardcore* gamer is a small (in percent of players) nitch market.

for every hardcore that leaves there are a large number of *casual* players taking their place

after all the hardcore from all extremes shake out it will get even better.

and to the person that says it is dead.......join the crowd that said it would be gone by now.

note their backer (NCSoft) can carry it litterally for years building up a profitable player base as their other cash cows can carry it for a long time.

but since it is profitable on its own.........

Yeah, I'll agee here....
I managed to convince my wife to play GW, who has NEVER played any type of swords and spells type game. She watched me play for a month, and thought it looked interesting. GW is easy enough to play that she enjoys it, and is now mildly addicted!

My point is that GW is attracting a number of people who either wouldn't normally try an online multiplayer game. It's my first MMO(lite) game, since I can't justify the monthly cost of other online games. I decided it was worth a try! In my house, they have made two sales!

Anyway, just my thoughts.
Dwig

John Waffletord · Sep 01, 2005, 04:33 PM // 16:33

I think guildwars has a good future. A-net worked very hard to keep the game balanced, and they will work every bit as hard in the next chapters/updates so everything remains balanced. Thats their thing.. thats why they claim it takes skill not time played to be good. Because everything has a counter. It is also very easy to reach level 20, and get decent max dmg weapons. Some weapon upgrades and superior runes arent the easiest things to get, but, thats not going to make or break your character.

They'll keep it balanced and add more content, but i dont think the max level will ever go up. They're gonna think of other things for people to work for.