Author: Ravious

(This is my final post of the Double Down series following Part 1 and Part 2.)

While ArenaNet was shifting towards Guild Wars 2 production, they created a new rewards system based on re-using content. Obviously they were aware that any Live Team would not have the resources of a new zone, or the like, and so the Zaishen content was created bringing new life to old content. For Guild Wars 1, this was possibly the only option.

Guild Wars 2 is different because the studio is entirely focused on Guild Wars 2. There are resources for new zones, dungeons, etc., and new things are exciting and shiny. The biggest question is still whether to press onward or iterate on what is available. For instance, exploring the Henge of Denravi in Guild Wars 2 was huge, in my opinion. A lot of mystery still surrounds the druids of Guild Wars 1, and with the current conflict surrounding the Henge, I felt the actual content was a tad underwhelming. For me the area downplayed my memory instead of ramping it up, like it did with Sorrow’s Embrance. A team at ArenaNet could decide to push a lot more focus on this out-of-the-way area, but is that worth it? Continue reading [GW2] Sunk Costs (Double Down III)

I open those blue bottles filled with a rainbow assortment of dyes. The unidentified dyes are slowly coming down in price as more people are getting the colors they want, but the rarest dyes are still worth quite a bit. I open my bottles because it’s a fun gamble. It’s like earning a scratcher’s ticket. Sure, I could sell it off for a few silver, but where’s the fun in that. Plus, I like filling out my dyes.

Anyway, last night I open a Celestial Dye (whitest). Hey, here’s 3 gold! That’s quite a bit of money for me since I’ve been floating around 1-3 gold for awhile now. Continue reading [GW2] Lottery Win

The middle zones always seem to be the red-headed step child of MMO content. Is it a function of population distribution extremes? Is it that in the case of Guild Wars 2 there are so many leveling paths to take? Is it that veteran players simply have no reason to be there except for friendship or exploration points?

This is the hardest puzzler. Nothing is wrong, per se, any more than… yes, clearly, as in all MMOs, the middle zones have lighter population distributions. The content in the middle zones, with a few noticeable patches, does seem pretty solid, especially with regard to renown content. It hasn’t felt like a chore to get through the zones on my way to 100% exploration. It still feels different, and I wonder how or if ArenaNet is going to draw more attention to these zones.

Continue reading [GW2] Fair to Middling (Double Down II)

ArenaNet’s first hints at the big Guild Wars 2 celebration have dropped out. I hope we get a few more blog posts or interviews next week, but there’s a decent amount of information in the teaser. Things I found most interesting:

Permanent Features

As if simply having a rockin’ tale of Halloween told in “four acts” isn’t enough, ArenaNet appears to be adding permanent features to the game during the Shadow of the Mad King event. PvP players will be happy to know that paid tournaments are going to be added, which gives PvP players a sort of ante-prize pool system to fight over. ArenaNet is also adding new content across a variety of maps in the form of “new events, jumping puzzles, bosses, mini-dungeons, and achievements”. Continue reading [GW2] Halloween!

(This is going to be one of at least three posts. I am splitting up a draft called Double Down into more digestible sections.)

With certainty, ArenaNet is working on more content and updates. Halloween is sure to have lots of holiday fun, but it isn’t clear what permanent offerings ArenaNet is considering. There are two clear routes to take: (1) create wholly new content such dungeons or zones, or (2) double down with the content already in place.

Now that people have had plenty of time to play Guild Wars 2, it is becoming very clear where there are holes in content and gaps in fun. Is it worthwhile to go back and patch these, or is it better to press ever onward? Continue reading [GW2] Uptown Views (Double Down I)

I think I’ve played Guild Wars 2 long enough to review it with pretty good depth. I don’t feel that is necessary. The blogosphere and real journalist reviews seem to resoundingly agree that for $60 and no subscription fee Guild Wars 2 is a great buy. People unused to Guild Wars 1 festivals are going to be in for a treat this Halloween, which only adds to the value. There are flaws, like any game. Some might be fixed (LFG), and some might not (FOV). Regardless, it is a great MMO. I plan on playing it for a long time.

I think there is a single point to take away from Guild Wars 2 that I hope worms its way in to all future MMOs. Okay, there are actually tons of good things, but for me, this is the one that matters most.

To be blunt and crude, I am going to call this point “F-yeah, let’s do this”. Continue reading [GW2] The Single Point

My favorite thing about Guild Wars 2 so far is the diversity of gameplay. This last weekend I was running all over the place. I feel the tugs and pulls of various reward mechanisms, and sometimes I wish some were a little stronger. Still, I have not felt like any of my activities were a waste of time. I’ve been pretty happy taking small bites all over the place.

Until 100%

My major focus has been getting 100% world exploration, which entails completing each PvE zone and heading in to WvW to fill out those maps. For my part, I have been stabbing eastward with the only zone uncomplete west of Lion’s Arch being Orr’s Cursed Shore. I admit I am kind of saving that last bit while I press onwards towards charr territory. I am currently at 75% with only a handful of zones left. Continue reading [GW2] Some Nights