Guild Wars 2 Articles

[Regolyth]

I'm really excited to play GW2. Reading these reviews just hypes it even more for me.

[Morreion]

PAX 2010: Guild Wars 2 hands-on (Massively)

How cool is this- dyes! This should be standard on MMOs:

We began with a look at the dye system. It's light-years beyond the system we know today, with each piece containing separate dyeable areas. Rather than collecting vials of dye, you'll begin with access to a generous set of 11 starter colors. As you play you'll unlock more colors in sets. The sets contain several sets of jewel tones, neutrals, warm and cool tones, and the rare "midnight set," the set that contains true black dye. If you find a color that really appeals, simply right-click it to add it to your favorites. The window we looked at contained around a hundred colors, but there are hundreds more available once everything is unlocked.

The dye unlock system is account-wide, rather than character-specific, and it was at this point that I learned that account-wide features are going to be par for the course. "Everything is account-wide this time around. Achievements, titles, because we have this weird hybrid with half account and half character titles, and it really just didn't work this time around. It just makes more sense."

Guild Wars 2 - Hands-On at PAX Prime 2010 Part 1 (Ten Ton Hammer)

My human ranger came to life in a flaming village beset by centaur warriors and archers. A nearby officer hurriedly explained that someone should round up the cowering villagers and see them to the easily defended Inn, so I set out on the task. The user interface prompted me with green diamonds visible through buildings to help guide me to the holed-up villagers. These diamonds, fighter pilot HUD-like diamonds in fact, were a big help, but Combat Designer Jon Peters noted that such handholding measures may only be available during the larger story missions. I appreciated the touch –finding the villagers without help would have slowed down the fun, breakneck pace of the experience, and might have been that much more frustrating to boot.

Guild Wars 2 - Hands-On at PAX Prime Part 2 (Ten Ton Hammer)

Another incredibly cool thing I discovered is that certain skills will even function slightly differently depending on the time of day that they’re used. For example, using certain skills during the day might cause your attacks to grant an extra boost to your life force (the resource that fuels the Death Shroud state) while that same skill when used at night might become a lifetap, stealing health from your enemy with each attack instead. Not only that, but certain weapons will even take on a chilling, ghostly aura when used at night which is another one of those things that left me saying “OK, now that’s cool”

The Heart of Tyria - An Exclusive Interview on Personal Story and Progression in Guild Wars 2 (Ten Ton Hammer)

If we decide that it should only take a couple of hours to level, that’s what we want it to be throughout the game. It’s kind of similar to what we did in Guild Wars 1, where the leveling you did once you hit level 20 was flat, and that’s what we want to do in Guild Wars 2. We have a lot of levels, but we don’t want it to be this longer and longer and longer experience as you go up. We want it to be a short amount of time between levels.

Leveling is really supposed to just help move you through the different maps in our game so that you experience the different content at a natural pace. We really don’t want it to be this long amount of time, or this thing that keeps you in our game. If you want to spend a lot of time in Guild Wars 2, we’re going to have tons of activities, or you can make lots of different characters since we have lots of different professions, but overall we just have lots of really cool things for you to do.

Guild Wars 2: Injecting Role-Playing into Tyria
MMORPG.com writer Bill Murphy has some interesting observations about how role-playing, arguably missing from many MMORPGs these days, will actually have a fighting chance of success in Guild Wars 2. ArenaNet is giving players the chance to breathe life into their characters and to meaningfully alter the world around them. Read it and then give us your thoughts

And all of your actions, whether you’re a scoundrel or a pillar of light, will lead your toward different titles the people will come to know you by. What’s more important than that though, is the fact that players need not fear missing out on content because of how they’ve acted. At any time, like any good movie or book tells us, the character can reform or change their ways… at which point you can go back to previously visited areas and find out how you’re received now. In all it seems like ArenaNet is anxious to challenge the notion that the player-character needs to be a static polygon model without emotions or choice. If they can pull it off, it’ll be awfully hard not to end every annoying conversation with a punch to the face or a knife to the eye. But maybe that’s just me.

PAX 2010: ArenaNet announces Guild Wars 2 app for smartphones and iPad (Massively)

Today the Guild Wars 2 developers unveiled that team's current project: Guild Wars 2 for smartphones and the iPad. The project isn't completed, but it's already very extensive. Players will have the ability to check their friends lists, follow their friends on the map, message their friends, and move around the world on their characters.

Quaggan sad: A look back at the Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events panel (Massively)

As I arrived, I noticed a third person at the panelists' table: Jeff Grubb. It was exciting to see another designer present for the event -- more words from the development team are always a good thing! Eric Flannum got things started by welcoming everyone and addressing the reason behind the limited attendance. He said they'd decided to do something "a little more intimate, with some participation." The screen and whiteboard suddenly got a lot more interesting. He continued by reviewing the dynamic events system as we know it, giving a few examples while Jeff and Colin sat back and most likely enjoyed the rest.

Once we got through the overview, it was on to the fun part: we, the audience, were going to design an event! The crowd was pretty excited about this, and it certainly explained the small amount of participants. Holding this particular panel in a room for 500 would have been complete insanity when it came time to choose locations and take suggestions.

Guild Wars 2: Dynamic Events Panel
At last week's PAX, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy had a chance to sit in on the Guild Wars 2 Dynamic Events Panel. Present were several ArenaNet folks including Lead Game Designer Eric Flannum, Lead Writer Jeff Grubb, and Lead Content Designer Colin Johanson. During this panel, the team discussed world changing dynamic events. ArenaNet's goal is to make Tyria a literally living, breathing world that changes with the things players do in it. Check out Bill's thoughts about the panel.

The consequences and “changing the world” aspects of Dynamic Events are easily seen in the example they gave us. The harpies hogging the ogres’ water source are in danger of eradicating the ogres’ livelihood. They train many varieties of different beasts back at their village, beasts that need the water to live. So if the players fail or refuse to help the ogres the animals will die, and village will falter, and the ogres just might become violent towards the people of Tyria. However, if players help the ogres the water troughs get filled, the animals can drink, and suddenly the ogres are looking to sell off their livestock. Maybe the players get access to some better pets, or maybe in another event in the area, you’ll get some help from the ogres when you need it most. Most everything in every zone is connected somehow and failing and succeeding at each event has its own consequences and world changing effects.

[Regolyth]

That's really awesome. I like how they are setting up the dye system. I remember when Kul and I were playing the first one that we were really impressed with the color and embrodery systems. We made guild cloaks and there were a lot of customization options. You could select the cloak type (frilled, round, square, tattered, etc.), the edges, the emblem, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a faded area in the middle. Each had it's only color combination. It was awesome.

I'm also really intrigued with the day/night combat system, and the way you level.

[Morreion]

Gaming Outside the Game: Rick Ellis Talks The Guild Wars 2 Extended Experience (GW2 official site)

Rick Ellis Answers Your Extended Experience Questions (GW2 official site)

Blog post by a developer working on external apps for the game.

Core Gameplay in Guild Wars 2 - A Ten Ton Hammer Exclusive Community Interview (Ten Ton Hammer)
Game Designer Izzy Cartwright answers questions submitted by our readers

Guild Wars 2: Playing Solo Together
In the latest MMORPG.com column examining Arena.Net's Guild Wars 2, Bill Murphy talks about the envelope-expanding nature of the dynamic quest line. Designed to cater to all type of players, from the casual to the hardcore, dynamic events are building on ideas from the past and taking them in new directions. Check out Bill's thoughts about what Arena.Net is doing with dynamic events and see if you agree with his conclusions. As always, let us know your thoughts on our forums.

The whole idea of dynamic content has a buzz about it these days- hopefully it will turn out well. I think it is a good direction to go. Devil's advocate view: WAR's Public Quests were also touted as this, and that didn't quite work out, so we will have to see. Also, dynamic content may mean instanced play.

Exclusive: Massively's interview with Kristen Perry on the Guild Wars 2 dye system

Live and Let Dye – Kristen Perry on the GW2 Dye System (GW2 official site)

Neat info on the cool dye system! "Armors have up to three dye areas per piece."

[Morreion]

Weapons in Guild Wars 2 (Ten Ton Hammer)
Your complete resource for all things weapon related in GW2

A Rewarding Experience – John Hargrove Talks About Loot (ArenaNet)

Article headings:

Guild Wars Principle #1: Everybody gets a swing at the proverbial piñata.
Guild Wars Principle #2: Rewards should be worth obtaining.
Guild Wars Principle #3: Players should look the way they want to look.
Guild Wars Principle #4: Players should be able to look truly unique.
Guild Wars Principle #5: Upgrading gear should be fun.

ArenaNet blog goes behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2 cinematics (Massively)

The Cost of Transmutation - A Look at Microtransactions in Guild Wars 2 (Ten Ton Hammer)
What's the deal with MT and transmutation stones in GW2?

it's looking like there will be an item shop in GW2, understandable since there is no subscription, though they make me nervous. This article discusses the fear of the slippery slope that many opponents of item shops forsee (you have to buy items to compete, without buying things the game will be a bad grind, etc.), though at the other end of the scale it is possible that the shop will sell cosmetic items. We will have to see *crosses his fingers*

Overall, I don't like item shops. I don't want a game to be built around convincing me to buy things. I'd rather pay a subscription. I hope this works out!

A New Way of Looking at Healing and Death (GW2 official site)

Guild Wars 2: No More Healers (Ten Ton Hammer)
What does no more healers mean for GW2?

This is an interesting system. Apparently there will be no dedicated healer class in GW2, instead the classes will have different survival tools, including but not limited to heals/HoTs. This is a departure from the traditional tank/healer/DPS approach, but there still will be support classes/elements.

I'm intrigued by this. TTH's article says that not many people like to play a dedicated healer- I have to disagree with that (I've enjoyed that role myself). However, I'm open to non-traditional healing mechanics. For instance, in UO, healing was a skill that anyone could learn if they so desired. A group of 4 warriors may have all 4 with some healing capability to heal themselves and to heal others. It worked out well- no waiting around for a dedicated healer.

So this 'no healer class' approach goes back 13 years. Having classes that have a variety of survival abilities sounds cool to me, though I wouldn't mind a dedicated healer class (even if it wasn't necessary). This approach meshes well with the casual/solo emphasis these days.

[Regolyth]

Other than the possibly having to buy items to compete, I'm on board. If I have to buy items to stay competitive, I may not play past the first couple of months of the game.

[Morreion]

Guild Wars 2: Colin Johanson Interview
At last weekend's New York Comic Con, MMORPG.com Community Manager Michael Bitton caught up with Guild Wars 2 Lead Content Designer Colin Johanson. Mike and Colin spent time talking about one of the most highly anticipated games coming down the pike in the next year or so. They covered topics such as developers' reaction to fan impressions of the beta shown off this summer, the game's financial model and transmutation stones to be sold in an in-game item shop.

Design Philosophy and the Endgame – An Exclusive Guild Wars 2 Interview with Eric Flannum (Ten Ton Hammer)
Eric Flannum discusses crafting, Lion's Arch and the endgame philosophy behind Guild Wars 2

Interesting tidbit- there are racial home cities, but by level 30 characters will be introduced to Lion's Arch, a neutral city where everyone will gather.

Dungeons in Guild Wars 2 (Ten Ton Hammer)

John and Eric Answer Your Items and Loot Questions (ArenaNet)

Guild Wars 2: Item & Loot Reveal Thoughts
In his latest Guild Wars 2 column, MMORPG.com Community Manager Michael Bitton takes a look at the recently revealed Item and Loot Systems as detailed on the official Arena.Net blog. Mike is cautiously optimistic about several things but does express a bit of reservation about the item shop hinted at in the blog post by Arena.Net devs. Check out Mike's thoughts and then add your own to our forums.

Guild Wars 2: A Game for the New Decade?
In the latest in a series of articles about the juggernaut that has become Guild Wars 2, MMORPG.com Industry Relations Manager Garrett Fuller takes a look at the potential for Guild Wars 2 to become THE game for the decade spanning 2010-2020. The potential, Garrett says, is there. See if you agree with his assessment of Guild Wars 2 and then join in on the discussion on our forums.

[Morreion]

A Complete Guide to the Hall of Monuments (Ten Ton Hammer)
An overview of the 5 monuments with tips on how to maximize your reward points from each!

Guild Wars 2: Hall of Monuments
In his latest article about Guild Wars 2, MMORPG.com Industry Relations Manager, Garrett Fuller, talks about the Hall of Monuments. The Hall of Monuments is currently active in Guild Wars and the collection of achievements there will have an impact on a player's experience when Guild Wars 2 launches. Check out Garrett's thoughts about the Hall of Monuments and then let us know yours.

Guild Wars 2: Hands On with the Charr Necro
At the recent New York Comic Con, MMORPG.com Industry Relations Manager, Garrett Fuller, had the opportunity to spend some hands on time with the Charr Necromancer. Not only does Garrett have some general thoughts about the Necromancer class, but he's got a lot to say about the Charr Necro as well. Read Garrett's hands-on look and then let us know what you think about the bad-ass Charr Necro!

Guild Wars 2 Videos: NYCC '10: Hands-On Demo Video (39:41)
MMORPG.com got a chance to take a level 1 Human Ranger for a spin during this year's New York ComicCon, and we're bringing you the full video so you can share in the experience.

Guild Wars 2 Terminology (Ten Ton Hammer)
What's a build or an Asura Gate? Find out here.

ArenaNet community manager debunks Guild Wars 2 rumor (Massively)

"...our core philosophy--of not requiring you to spend additional money to play the game and not making the game difficult or painful to play in order to encourage you to buy things from the store--still stands."

Well...that's good, heh. This is the kind of thing that you get people worried about when you have cash shops IMHO. I don't like them.

Guild Wars 2: Dungeon Running Differently
In his latest Guild Wars 2 article, MMORPG.com's Community Manager, Michael Bitton, takes a look at the dungeons in Guild Wars 2. Mike starts the discussion by stating that he didn't really expect the dungeon system to see major changes from GW1 to GW2 but after reading an article in PC Gamer, Mike has been pleasantly surprised to see that dungeons will be receiving love too. See what Mike found out about the Guild Wars 2 dungeon system and let us know what you think.

[Regolyth]

...our core philosophy--of not requiring you to spend additional money to play the game and not making the game difficult or painful to play in order to encourage you to buy things from the store--still stands.

I like this too.

[Morreion]

Guild Wars 2: Silence is Deafening
MMORPG.com Industry Relations Manager Garrett Fuller takes a look at Guild Wars 2 and the recent ArenaNet announcement that it will be released "when it is ready". While that statement might cause some to weep, wail and gnash their teeth, Garrett is content knowing that the team is focused on releasing a game that is complete, especially one that has the potential to set the MMO development bar for the next decade.

Guild Wars 2: My Life in Tyria
The Guild Wars 2 team has promised many amazing things for the game, things that have fans excited in ways they haven't been for a long time. Among these promises is the idea of story. Players will have a "personal story". In his latest Guild Wars 2 column, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy takes a look at the personal story and offers some insight into what it all means. Check it out and then jump into the discussion on our forum.

Guilds in Guild Wars 2 (Ten Ton Hammer)

Another feature being implemented will be the ability to chat with your guild from your web browser and, presumably, your mobile phone. This will provide a bit more access to guild chat and the ability to speak with your friends without having to give away real life information when you’re not at home near a GW2 accessible computer. That’s a godsend for those times you’re stuck listening to someone and you can’t break free to run home and tell your guild, who is counting on you, that you won’t be able to make it.

Guild Wars 2 Professions Overview (Ten Ton Hammer)

Not only does a profession determine what skills are available to you but it also affects which weapons you can equip and which skills are affixed to the weapons. For instance, a sword in the hands of a Ranger will give you Slash and Serpent Strike while a Warrior will get the Sever Artery combo and Pommel Strike. Each weapon type offers something different to each profession.

Guild Wars 2: Dynamic Content
In MMORPG.com's latest Guild Wars 2 column, Managing Editor Jon Wood takes a look at Dynamic Content. Dynamic content, as Jon suggests, is content that should make the game world feel alive, that the actions players participate in make a difference in the way the world looks and feels. Check out Jon's thoughts and then let us know what you think about dynamic content on the forums.

Guild Wars 2 Release Date Theories (Ten Ton Hammer)

Of course, I’m not an expert seer or anything in that regard and can’t read the future, but it’s very logical that the game will need at least six months of hype, testing, and more hype before we can see boxes on the shelves of the store. We also know that the game is far from being complete, especially with some of the comments in the latest posts.

Guild Wars 2: Chasing 30/50
In his latest Guild Wars 2 column, MMORPG.com Community Manager Michael Bitton reveals his obsessive compulsive side in obtaining the 30/50 rewards in Guild Wars to bring bodacious rewards into Guild Wars 2. He's a man with a plan that you won't want to miss. Be sure to tell us about your plans to hit 30/50 in the Hall of Monuments below.

Guild Wars 2: Pacing and Combat
In his latest Guild Wars 2 column, MMORPG.com Industry Relations Manager Garrett Fuller takes a look at the pacing and combat coming in the game. As Garrett opines, pacing and combat can make or break an MMO. Many have fallen victim to poor deployment of these two features. See what he's got to say about pacing and combat in Guild Wars 2, then weigh in with your own thoughts below.

[GW2] Interview on Energy and Skills, Pt. 1 (Kill Ten Rats)

Here’s the design kicker: the energy bar loves offensive skills and hates defensive skills. If a player is playing offensively, the energy bar is very easy to manage. It’s when the player goes in to a very defensive mindset that the energy bar starts draining quite fast. This way the energy bar allows for players to kind of choose the difficulty of an encounter. Very easy encounters will barely touch the energy bar, whereas difficult encounters requiring many defensive maneuvers and skills will put a significant dent in the energy bar.

[GW2] Interview on Energy and Skills, Pt. 2 (Kill Ten Rats)

The last skill type we discussed was elites. The main function of elites is to have an “ace-up-your-sleeve-type of play.” This type of skill, Cartwright said, really plays up the resource of time a lot more than other games. However, the core element of elites is not an insta-kill everything, but to create a moment of power. Peters said that elite skills are not traditional spells. “Every single elite is either a big shapeshift, or summoning some crazy weapon, or summon a bundle. There are no elites that don’t change how you play in a very drastic way.”

ArenaNet talks energy and group dynamics in Guild Wars 2 (Massively)

Ravious chatted with community managers Martin Kerstein and Regina Buenaobra as well as developers Jon Peters and Isaiah Cartwright for some fascinating discussion on part of the development process. The group discussed energy use in Guild Wars 2, and gave us some interesting news on how your gameplay style will affect it.

Comment:

Nothing bugs me more than having to have stacks of potions that I have to continually use, it's distracting from the gameplay.

I'm sort of worried about this, too. Either the energy system will be innovative and neat, or it will be an annoyance.