Press Beta

[perfect]

Press Beta is on.

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/excitement-twitter-press-beta-event-t26796.html

Looks like it will run through the 20th at which time they will be lifting the NDA. You all are experienced gamers. You know what happens shortly after the NDA is lifted.

[Fozzik]

It seems a fairly positive sign. I've rarely seen an MMORPG company allow press in so early and allow them to talk about it. The friends and family beta started just about six weeks ago. I don't put much stock in the gaming press and their reviews (which tend to be shallow and focus on none of the things I see as important), but it does seem like things are going well and ArenaNet is happy with how the testing is going.

[mmorpeegee]

It's really happening! \o/

[dabble]

It's really happening! \o/

It's very exciting. Really looking forward to the write ups. The game does look great I must say, I hate the name though, It's quite misleading. They should have gone for a completely new title as the game is nothing like Guild Wars and Guild Wars wasn't exactly an inspired choice for the first game. Minor gripe I know, but it has put a few of my friends off as they were expecting more of the same.

[tdewey10]

It's very exciting. Really looking forward to the write ups. The game does look great I must say, I hate the name though, It's quite misleading. They should have gone for a completely new title as the game is nothing like Guild Wars and Guild Wars wasn't exactly an inspired choice for the first game. Minor gripe I know, but it has put a few of my friends off as they were expecting more of the same.

Lol. That's a big reason I'm not interested in the game - I'll have to check it out now.

[Fozzik]

Our newest convert in the making! :D

[mmorpeegee]

The name was a big issue to me too. Not because of the name itself (it's meh but I dont really mind), but because I avoided the first game because it just looked like an online action game and not a proper MMORPG.

But this sequel does seem to have gone the whole hog, and they are providing a proper MMO not just a bunch of pew pew instances. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Loampounder]

It's really happening! \o/

/faceslap

Calm down, man; get a hold of yourself. All of us here has been burned by hype atleast once. We don't even have a release date yet.

[mmorpeegee]

:p

[tdewey10]

Our newest convert in the making! :D

Unlikely I really want something more EQish but I might buy the game and check it out based on your recommendations.

[Fozzik]

It really depends on what you mean by "EQ-ish". If you're looking for the same underlying design philosophy, or "spirit"...I really think you might find it in GW2 - or at least some important similarities that have been missing from games over the last decade.

A few points of philosophical similarity to the original EQ "vision":

A deeply developed and awe-inspiring virtual world, not just a flat backdrop
Community building and real social play central to every design decision
Focus on the journey, rather than "hurry up and raid" or grind.
Central advancement is non-linear, non-directed, and not segregated by play style
Role-play and character development focus
Depth and emergent play in classes / combat / encounter mechanics / story delivery


If you're looking for similarities in terms of the same mechanics, level curve, class structure, death penalty, etc... then not so much.

This is, of course, my own opinion based on the available info. ;)

[perfect]

One week.

[AsheMan]

One week.

One week? Then no NDA?

[ForestWhitakerEye]

One week? Then no NDA?

The press who have been invited are apparently allowed to give their impressions on the 20th, but the NDA is not dropping in general.

edit: source http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1094386&postcount=170

[perfect]

Good find, Ptosis.

Also, a little birdy told me today that it might be a nice Spring Break this year.

[AsheMan]

That'd be cool. I have spring break the first week of April.

[Fozzik]

Today's the big day for the press NDA being lifted (not the beta NDA, it's still in place).

There's going to be an absolute ton of reviews, videos, and other info released today, and it's really hard to find everything. Luckily, the nice folks at GW2Guru always do a fantastic job of consolidating everything into one place.

Watch this thread today.
http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/gw2g-press-closed-beta-test-t27964.html?t=27964

The release of info is supposed to start right now (9am EST)

[Vordox]

Yeah I'm at the ready to see for myself with high hopes Fozz.

[Fozzik]

GW2Guru may be too slow... here's some reviews as I find them.

http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/guild-wars-2-closed-beta-impressions-elisabeths-thoughts/
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/guild-wars-2-closed-beta-impressions-shawns-thoughts/

Check out MMORPG.com...they have multiple articles up already.
http://www.mmorpg.com/

[mmorpeegee]

Thanks Fozz you da man! I will probably consolidate all the best bits and email it to my buddies so hopefully they will play it with me.

[Vordox]

Well first off the Art design is going to take some getting used too. It looks like a watercolor painting and somewhat 2 dimensional.The characters look like paper dolls in a watercolor world. I found it odd watching the great spell effects look um....out of place. Vanguard had by far the best world graphics of any game I ever played. They at least did that right. The Characters and the world actually looked real. Why we can't get that look back in 2012 I don't know.

The city walk throughs were very pretty yet I didnt see the person walk into any of the doors in the city. I really hate cities with no entrance doors to normal housing.

Armor and clothing also look a bit plain and bit lackluster.

If the leveling is public quests mixed with regular questing well it isn't very innovative other than it has a sub quest if you fail. Cutscenes are nice but too many can be monotonous especially if your time is limited. I think Squaresoft did them just right, not to many, but enough to tell the story beautifully and succinct.

I really like the weapon skills and how they set that up. I also like the gathering animations.

Looks like it plays well though and the battle animations seem above board. A matter a fact they look more 3D than the world itself.

Didn't see footsteps in the snow but could have been because I'm watching second hand.

Mighta been the Curse guys computer too and I could be totally wrong lol. I doubt a guy who makes his living off games would have that shitty of a computer.

I looked at almost everything so far today and I didn't have a oooohh thats different. Well except for the weapon skills. Hope I can get into the Open beta if they have one. I know I saved some money not buying RIFT lol.
No , I hope this can be a bit better then RIFT (I mean I still see people say thats a great game so what do I know lol).

I will look further into the day to see if I find more that gives me confidence.

[Vordox]

Heres a good mesmer video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6Ckj6--Z0&feature=uploademail

[Fozzik]

MOAR!

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1127803&postcount=73
http://www.destructoid.com/guild-wars-2-isn-t-like-any-mmo-you-ve-played-before-222175.phtml
http://kotaku.com/5886430/ten-things-i-learned-from-the-guild-wars-2-beta-weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAjgKGFcKfM

[mmorpeegee]

Sounds great. I'm a bit wary of the combat being a bit easy and nobody ever dying, but we'll see. Most of this stuff I can't really absorb too well, I just need to play it for myself and see how it goes. I'll be looking to pre-order it asap.

[Vordox]

Shit. I hit edit instead of reply. ARGH.

So sorry Vordox.

~fozz

No worries I will repost lol.

Sounds great. I'm a bit wary of the combat being a bit easy and nobody ever dying, but we'll see. Most of this stuff I can't really absorb too well, I just need to play it for myself and see how it goes. I'll be looking to pre-order it asap.

Well PVP is much more balanced on a solo play kind of way. I mean there are no real healers since everyone gets a heal so you don't get steam rolled by a tight group of the Holy trinity sort. Was nothing I hated more then getting a PvP player down to almost dead and see him full heal and drop my ass because a healer showed up lol.

I agree with the easy PVE combat unless that "Grasp for life" only works in PvP.
If it works in PvE yeah it will be hard to die to anything. Still not totally sure the mechanic though and how it works.

I'm enthused about the PvP it looks like it will be pretty fun but tactics need to be used in a different and more innovative way now that the "Holy Trinity" is not a factor. Which really enthuses me because I like coming up with tactics.

The Cities are done extremely well not a "shed hub" like RIFT. I actually saw a video of people going through doors and the massiveness of the cities themselves and there are 6 just as big WOW!

Still not at home with the Graphic style BUT I hated WoW's graphic cartoony look, yet it did grow on me.

As far as the combat it looks to run fluidly and rapidly and that is a big plus. I played FFXIV for a few months and the combat is THE worst by far I have ever played. I mean when you have to actually fight with your combat while actually fighting is a real drag! They have smoothed it out some but I'll be damned if I'm paying a monthly sub for that crap.

Now the public quests in GW2 look pretty well done and seem to be fluid. My problem with them as in others I have played is the repetitiveness and the general farming that sometimes goes on (like Warhammer,RIFT) I also think if you fail a PQ the following PQ should be even harder to complete. I guess we will see.

So far I think I will preorder as well. I mean this game is win win for any player. You buy the game if it's bad or buggy you can just wait for the miracle patch, and come back no fee just pick up where you were.

I also gather from looking at the game there are no mounts WHICH leads me to believe the item shop will most likely sell these which I am totally cool with that. A matter a fact I would item shop all teleport items too. It is not game spoiling and it is not necessary to play nor is it really detrimental to gameplay.
I would also charge people for quest icons (?) and markers (X) to where objectives are. I would go as far as sell mini maps too but thats just because I like to explore and like mapless games. I'm good with a compass only and zone blocks only map.I don't mind making a game easy for others as long as they pay for it lol.

[Fozzik]

Sounds great. I'm a bit wary of the combat being a bit easy and nobody ever dying, but we'll see. Most of this stuff I can't really absorb too well, I just need to play it for myself and see how it goes. I'll be looking to pre-order it asap.

Based on what I've read (and also my own educated guesses based on available info), I think it's possible that basic combat will be significantly more challenging from a player skill standpoint. I got a great reminder about how different action-based combat can be since I've been playing Reckoning. Because the player can dodge, block, and move while casting, the mobs can hit much harder and have much more deadly abilities... along with stuns and knockdowns and things. With the "traditional" style MMORPG combat, mobs have to be rather gimp since you're basically just standing in front of them taking / doing damage.

In games like Reckoning, It's quite easy to beat a mob if you do it right...if you use your skills at the right times, move, stay on offense, and dodge/block at least a little. If you do it wrong, the mob will knock the crap out of you and you'll die a lot. Based on what I've been reading from the press beta reviews (and reading between the lines a bit), I think this is exactly what they've achieved. I think it's great...it requires so much more engagement on the player's part, and you often forget you're pushing buttons and are just watching the action and reacting. This would also mean that they can turn up the challenge in the higher levels and harder content in much more complex ways.


Well PVP is much more balanced on a solo play kind of way. I mean there are no real healers since everyone gets a heal so you don't get steam rolled by a tight group of the Holy trinity sort. Was nothing I hated more then getting a PvP player down to almost dead and see him full heal and drop my ass because a healer showed up lol.


GW2 PvP is balanced around groups. There is actually no 1v1 dueling in the game at all, exactly because they didn't even try to balance one class vs. every other. The whole game (PvE and PvP) is focused on players working together. Nobody can do everything all at once...but groups can very fluidly fill the gaps when working together.

The "downed state" works in both PvE and PvP...and again I think it allows them to make encounters much more complex and challenging. Instead of only two possible outcomes (wipe or win), it's now possible to have a longer retreat, rally, refocus type of encounter where individual players can adapt, save the day, and keep things going in numerous ways. You can give mobs much more deadly and powerful abilities, and AI can be stepped up...because it won't simply be a matter of tank and spank.

[Fozzik]

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/guild_wars_2/b/pc/archive/2012/02/20/guild-wars-2-is-the-mmo-revolution-that-star-wars-the-old-republic-promised.aspx

[mmorpeegee]

Yeah it sounds way more hands on and more action based which will be a nice change. I was mainly just concerned when I saw someone talking about doing a few whole levels without even having to cast their heal spell. I had a lot of fun in Rift and the combat in that game was pretty hands on too. You had to spam your abilities quickly and move around a lot, but this built up combo points which you then had to decide how to use based on the situation. The problem is that it was just skewed towards being too easy. In other words, it seemed frantic at first but after a while you realise that your characters are just a lot tougher than the mobs, so much so that you could technically win each fight even if you closed your eyes and spammed everything randomly. Even just engaging autoattack was enough to start wupping the enemy, and as soon as you started using your abilities, you just started bouncing around all over the place ripping it to shreds.

So I just hope GW2 is not like that. Although, even if it is, there is always PVP which is always a whole different ball game.

[Vordox]

"GW2 PvP is balanced around groups. There is actually no 1v1 dueling in the game at all, exactly because they didn't even try to balance one class vs. every other. The whole game (PvE and PvP) is focused on players working together. Nobody can do everything all at once...but groups can very fluidly fill the gaps when working together. " - Fozzik

There is always 1vs 1 in PvP battlezones. You die you run back you spot an enemy you engage 1 on one and hope another enemy doesn't show. Also you may be in a collective battle group but shit happens that can put you on your own. Whether it be sending a guy on his own to sit on the capture point while the others are entertained in battle to win the point. My point is in this scenario you have a higher probability of a good fair fight without the "Holy trinity" factor. Like say I came upon a strictly healer class chances are his buddies will get to him long before I can get him dead. In GW2 I don't have that fear.

I will not be happy if duels don't exist it is really a great learning tool for PvP and makes you a better player in PvP.

As for them being balanced around groups I really don't get what you are saying. It is my understanding from watching all the videos that the PQ events don't require you to group only to participate in said event. They are balanced by the utilities each has BUT someone is still going to need to be designated to heal in dungeons and such. I have looked at all the classes and you can group with about anyone and be ok, Or you can solo and kill as well.

This really made me smile look at this video! I think we have discussed these things before haven't we Fozzik? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jimIpVDiTrk&feature=player_embedded

[Fozzik]

You're right, it's perfectly possible to fight 1 vs 1 in the open WvW PvP...what I meant was that they don't have dueling as in 1 vs 1 matches in competitive PvP, or consentual duels in PvE. The reason they left those out is because they didn't focus their balancing on each class being totally equal...as in having the same dps, healing, and control abilities all the time. The class mechanics actually allow for characters to be wildly UNequal in a given situation, depending on what you do. It's perfectly possible for 1 class to totally own another in a single fight...depending on the player skill and what abilities / weapons the two have chosen.

Instead they focused on balancing groups...like 5v5. The idea is that within those five people, all the needed things will be covered by SOMEONE... so through synergy as a team, they will be balanced with the other team.

Dynamic events scale depending on the number of players who are taking part. So, in effect they are balanced for solo AND for groups. They are set up so that mob and item quantities will increase, mobs power can increase, and mobs can gain new abilities when more players show up... so most of the open-world PvE content can be done with anywhere from 1-10 players working together. My guess would be that in order to maintain a reasonable challenge, the power and abilities of the mobs will increase a little faster than the players...so players will need to at least work together in some basic ways in order to defeat dynamic events which have scaled up.

Dungeons, on the other hand, are entirely balanced and focused around being challenging for a full group. They require that fluid interdependence that I talked about above...if people aren't adapting and working together you're going to wipe a lot.

There will definitely NOT be someone working as a dedicated healer in dungeon runs or anywhere else. Anyone who tried to just heal would get their group killed pretty quick (just like if someone tried to JUST tank). Heals are most effective on yourself...but even those heals aren't particularly powerful. The game is much more about support and avoidance... you help people to not take damage in the first place, or provide a little regen or cure at just the right moment to keep them going. If your teammate doesn't dodge the giant hammer when it comes down at him...there's no heal that's going to save him from getting smashed (you can rez him after that, though :D).

The lack of holy trinity aspect is one of the very hardest things to understand about GW2, and I think we're all just going to have to play it to see how it works.

[mmorpeegee]

So when are you guys expecting it might release? April? May? June? Summer? Really looking forward to this now.

[Vordox]

So when are you guys expecting it might release? April? May? June? Summer? Really looking forward to this now.

I think your guess is as good as mine but the way it looks and the total lack of complaints thus far,it probably could be released in the first qtr sometime.

Yeah Fozzik you are probably right without a hands on we are merely postulating. Either way what I'm seeing so far I really like and I see promise. Hell just looking at the mini games sealed the deal for me. I love innovation and a gaming Company who does that gets my money even if it doesn't particularly work like "I" like it to (not saying GW2 wont deliver) I give them kudos for at least willing to take a risk on new directions. I'm optimistic on this game.

[Fozzik]

I believe the best guesses based on their current comments about beta phases are that the game will release in May or June.

I think they are planning a big beta announcement later this week sometime. It's possible they may be pushing the schedule up. Hard to say. Things definitely do seem to be on track.

[perfect]

So when are you guys expecting it might release? April? May? June? Summer? Really looking forward to this now.

Open Beta in March according to other sources. I can't imagine a game being in Open Beta for very long.

I go on vacation for a week in May. I'll put money on it going Live that week.

[mmorpeegee]

Open Beta in March according to other sources. I can't imagine a game being in Open Beta for very long.

I go on vacation for a week in May. I'll put money on it going Live that week.

Lol :) Not too much longer to wait at least! Really looking forward to this, just trying to not get too excited now or the wait will be even more painful. I saw in one of the links above some guy talking all about the classes. I will like to read that before I get the game but if I do it now, I'll just be dreaming about playing it for the next several weeks :/ So I'm trying to hold out until a few days before :P

I give them kudos for at least willing to take a risk on new directions.
That's exactly what I thought too when I first read about this game. They are trying lots of new stuff and I've been really rooting for them. I was even prepared to buy it even if it got mixed reviews, just because I wanted to support someone finally shaking things up in the MMO world a bit. But judging by all the stuff out there, it sounds mostly positive anyway.

[AsheMan]

Hell just looking at the mini games sealed the deal for me.

Oh, I see the link in your previous post. I'm off to watch it! I love mini games.

[Vordox]

Oh if anybody on here is in good with the GW2 people be kind and help a brother with a beta key please :::subtlehint::: lol

How could anyone not get this game is the bigger question. Like I said prior it's a win win situation if you don't like it you have blown what? 60 bucks? Shoot I have blown that on a crappy meal before. I'm willing to bet I get at least 60 bucks worth of fun out of it. I mean considering the thousands in the past I have wasted on subs of horrible games.

@Perfect isn't that a gamers perfect vacation? I mean a whole week to play a new MMO?

I would love to hear a beta announcement at the end of the week. I signed up for beta a long while back. I know that means dick but one can dream!

[perfect]

...@Perfect isn't that a gamers perfect vacation? I mean a whole week to play a new MMO?....

Well, yes, but I'll be at Disneyland. As much as I'd love to game for a week, I'd rather go spend the week with my family.

On a happier note, beta announcement (http://bringvictory.com/).

[Fozzik]

Well, yes, but I'll be at Disneyland. As much as I'd love to game for a week, I'd rather go spend the week with my family.

On a happier note, beta announcement (http://bringvictory.com/).

got me.


*shakes fist*

[Vordox]

Well, yes, but I'll be at Disneyland. As much as I'd love to game for a week, I'd rather go spend the week with my family.

On a happier note, beta announcement (http://bringvictory.com/).

Bah! you and your orderly priorities! And you used to be so big and strong, you used to know your right from wrong, HELL you used to be Somebody! :) lol

When Fozz said got me he gave it away. But I'm so freakin stupid I hadda peek anyway! lol

[Fozzik]

ArenaNet posted on their twitter that there's going to be a big announcement tomorrow. Maybe open beta or a release date.

Or maybe...spam and eggs!

[AsheMan]

Or maybe...spam and eggs!
Or green eggs and ham in honor of Ted Geisel's birthday next week!

[Vordox]

ArenaNet posted on their twitter that there's going to be a big announcement tomorrow. Maybe open beta or a release date.

Or maybe...spam and eggs!
AWWW Shit! Hope you are right!

[mmorpeegee]

On a happier note, beta announcement (http://bringvictory.com/).

Lol... argh.

ArenaNet posted on their twitter that there's going to be a big announcement tomorrow. Maybe open beta or a release date.

Or maybe...spam and eggs!

They ran out of money and are getting bought by SOE! :goblin:

[Fozzik]

They ran out of money and are getting bought by SOE! :goblin:

AAAARRRGGGHHH! :volcano:


That really isn't even funny. :cry:


I'm still really worried about the cash shop. I have this strong nagging feeling in the back of my mind that it's too good to be true, and there's no way I'm going to get to play a good game in this genre ever again (it's been 10 years since I really settled in a virtual world). I REALLY wish they would get some details out about that so I could stop wondering.

[Vordox]

Lol... argh.



They ran out of money and are getting bought by SOE! :goblin:

How dare you?!!! lol

I always worry when it comes to cash shops.

[mmorpeegee]

Mwahaha :D And yeah, cash shop is pretty much my only hesitation. But I'll live in hope that the do the right thing!