51 replies to this topic

[Milennin]

I really dislike levelling now, because I have already explored the world on 2 characters, and dungeons are what I like most in the game. But in order to play dungeons effectively I need to be level 80, so that I can make use of all trait points and pick an outfit that I love with stats that I want. Playing on below level 80 also sucks because I'm stuck wearing gear I don't like. I'm too cheap to use transmutation stones, and I generally find a piece with better stats every few hours anyway.

As for topic. I considered myself to be a pretty big fan of the game pre-release, and after release even. But since the Fractals update my enjoyment has died out pretty quickly, and don't even bother logging on anymore. The game has lost that new feel/smell. It smells more like some wanna-be clone and a cash grab now.

Edited by Milennin, 13 December 2012 - 06:34 PM.

[Yarz_Widow]

I'm at 1000+ hours with 3 lvl 80 (Ranger, Warrior, Guardian) full exotics and Cultural T3 skins and still log on every day to do lots and lots of WvW and some Dungeons(for more gear). Love every second of it. I can no longer explore after I did it once but that does not mean the rest of the game is not fun. Just use wvw dungeons and crafting to get my toons up to 80 now. So I guess it is loosing that new game feel in some aspects but there are still so many things to do in others.

Commander Empress of Eternity [TWL]
Commander Phoenix Empress [TWL]

[Norn Osprey]

Milennin, on 13 December 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

I considered myself to be a pretty big fan of the game pre-release, and after release even. But since the Fractals update my enjoyment has died out pretty quickly,

The game has lost that new feel/smell. It smells more like some wanna-be clone and a cash grab now.

I enjoy the original game. I was thrilled for this game. But like you the cash grab of Fractals and the repeated mistakes that the Devs said they wouldnt make again but made again anyway, have really taken a toll on my enjoyment. Also, honorable mentions towards Culling and nerfing of DE frequency.

It just seems that the game has morphed into a slow grind to pressure people to spend money in the Gem Store.

[sevalaricgirl]

700+ hours in game and I still love it like the day I first played it in BW3.  I have changed what I like and have 1 of each class except mesmer and engineer.

[typographie]

Soki, on 13 December 2012 - 03:17 PM, said:

Maybe I'm too cynical - or maybe I want something that GW2 seems to not be up to providing: Ways to get prestigious equips by being good at the game.

I do think you're being a bit too cynical. You could apply this logic to pretty much any game out there to make it sound like a no-talent grindfest.

GW2 is definitely not devoid of grinding, but at least its mostly optional here. Every game has to have a system where some form and degree of effort is required for rewards, and that's what the masses inevitably consider a "grind." That may be a literal grind for goods and wealth, or it may be the "grind" of having to find a reliable guild and conform to a raid schedule, but there's always something.

Developers have to be careful how they implement rewards for "being good at the game," because that would usually end up being a set of tasks that one good players discovers then everyone else can eventually learn and trivialize, or just grind their way through.

[Graka]

Game hasnt lost that new game smell, but it sadly has gotten that refuse of whinner and complainer stench that never seem to be satisfied.

[Soki]

typographie, on 13 December 2012 - 06:59 PM, said:

I do think you're being a bit too cynical. You could apply this logic to pretty much any game out there to make it sound like a no-talent grindfest.

GW2 is definitely not devoid of grinding, but at least its mostly optional here. Every game has to have a system where some form and degree of effort is required for rewards, and that's what the masses inevitably consider a "grind." That may be a literal grind for goods and wealth, or it may be the "grind" of having to find a reliable guild and conform to a raid schedule, but there's always something.

Developers have to be careful how they implement rewards for "being good at the game," because that would usually end up being a set of tasks that one good players discovers then everyone else can eventually learn and trivialize, or just grind their way through.

Would it really be that bad to decrease the amount of materials required for unique Mystic Forge prestige equips by 4/5ths; but make it spit out an item that starts an event chain, instead of the item?
A challenge where you go to points in the world, interact with something, talk to an NPC - things like that - and, at the end of the chain - its difficulty depending on the prestige of the equip you're after - you get that equip.

That sort of system would actually give flavor to things like Legendaries and other prestige mystic forge items - and make them less BORING.

[typographie]

Soki, on 13 December 2012 - 07:08 PM, said:

Would it really be that bad to decrease the amount of materials required for unique Mystic Forge prestige equips by 4/5ths; but make it spit out an item that starts an event chain, instead of the item?

I don't disagree with any of that, I think what you suggested is a great opportunity for them to make high-end content more interesting. But the impression I got from your earlier posts was—paraphrasing here—"the game has X problems that all games experience to some degree, and I cannot understand how it could still be fun for anyone at this point." I don't think that's even based on a fair premise, let alone that its totally subjective. 1000 hours is a lot, but if they're still enjoying it, they're still enjoying it.

[Soki]

typographie, on 13 December 2012 - 07:26 PM, said:

I don't disagree with any of that, I think what you suggested is a great opportunity for them to make high-end content more interesting. But the impression I got from your earlier posts was—paraphrasing here—"the game has X problems that all games experience to some degree, and I cannot understand how it could still be fun for anyone at this point." I don't think that's even based on a fair premise, let alone that its totally subjective. 1000 hours is a lot, but if they're still enjoying it, they're still enjoying it.

What I really mean is..1000 hours of what the game currently is, and still loving it--much less finding out new things about it?
@@

[Sheepski]

Yarz_Widow, on 13 December 2012 - 06:42 PM, said:

I'm at 1000+ hours with 3 lvl 80 (Ranger, Warrior, Guardian) full exotics and Cultural T3 skins and still log on every day to do lots and lots of WvW and some Dungeons(for more gear). Love every second of it. I can no longer explore after I did it once but that does not mean the rest of the game is not fun. Just use wvw dungeons and crafting to get my toons up to 80 now. So I guess it is loosing that new game feel in some aspects but there are still so many things to do in others.

Commander Empress of Eternity [TWL]
Commander Phoenix Empress [TWL]

Pretty much agree with you here. I do mostly dungeons and/or farming, pvp/wvw and yet I still am working on getting 8 level 80's. So I'm crafting, dungeoning and wvw'ing to level now. I want to have all 8 at 100% map completion too.. but I'd prefer to do the general questing/exploring whilst in a full build, good looking armours/weps etc rather than running about with lower level stuff on

[Bloggi]

The sheer magic of head start day might be gone, but that hasn't diminished the quality of the experience for me. Obviously, I also have more in-game friends now than I did at the beginning, like most other people would, I imagine. Our skill will also have increased. We could be confidently running in teams now and effortlessly doing some dungeons as well.

It's like a brand new car losing that new car smell, but it doesn't necessary reduce our enjoyment of it. We get better at controlling the car, learning its quirks, learning how much we can push it and when to push it for more fun.

[Daesu]

Soki, on 13 December 2012 - 03:30 PM, said:

Sadly, I can already see ANet's implementation of such a mode's reward system:

"End-boss has a 2% chance of dropping Gift of Rarity. Gift of Rarity can be placed in the Mystic Forge, along with 250 orichalcum Blades, 250 Orichalcum Hilts, and 250 Globs of Ectoplasm to receive 'Sword of Rarity'!"

Perhaps because these other items can be bought with gold and you can always get gold by buying gems with real money?

[Dasryn]

how do you guys check to see how much youve played?  /played doesnt work and thats like the industry standard. . .

[Shroomhead Fred]

Rickter, on 14 December 2012 - 03:48 AM, said:

how do you guys check to see how much youve played?  /played doesnt work and thats like the industry standard. . .

/age

[Dasryn]

Shroomhead Fred, on 14 December 2012 - 03:56 AM, said:

/age

oh, thanks, i would have never guessed

no seriously, i would have never guessed.  how inappropriate. . .

[Hybarf Tics]

My main is 100% complete, map completion is done 100%, many titles are done and forgotten, I still love dynamic event my Ele specialises in healing others, I love joining other in whatever capacity. I still find the occasional cave I missed, love jumping puzzles, I have yet to do dungeons and I'm looking forward to it. Is the smell gone? Heck no looking forward to wintersday the January update, other continents to come, including Elona and confronting Palawa Jerko. Even my CE's tin box smells new and Rytlock is still on top of my widescreen looking down at me.

Edited by Hybarf Tics, 14 December 2012 - 04:14 AM.

[pumpkin pie]

I don't know about any of you and how you play, i found a singing quaggan yesterday and it just made me so happy.

swimming, swimming, swimming, all summer long
swimming, swimming, swimming, makes your flippers strong

anyone wishes that games are challenging, they shouldn't be playing game, go build a rocket, that's challenging.

[lmaonade]

Graka, on 13 December 2012 - 07:05 PM, said:

Game hasnt lost that new game smell, but it sadly has gotten that refuse of whinner and complainer stench that never seem to be satisfied.

Well that's not unique to any single game in fact, not having a complaining subculture would be unique, but sadly there is no single game that can satisfy everyone's tastes, it's all about choosing your target audience.

That being said, I still love the game, I spent about 900 hours in GW1 over a period of 6 years (early 2006 to just before launch this year), and I'm already over halfway there for GW2 in 3 and a half months, I've definitely already played my moneys worth, and will continue to. I'm just no longer fascinated with every nook and cranny of the game like I was at launch. But personally I was always an impatient gamer who only cared about my character and my end game rather than for the game itself, and GW2 has certainly changed that so kudos to Anet.

I am a bit disgruntled by the new stuff they've added since launch though, Halloween was decent but too short and inconsequential (to me at least), Lost Shores is just meh, the only thing about the new area that I like is the rich orichalcum node >_> I'm definitely looking forward to wintersday though, I loved every single one I participated in in GW1, hopefully it'll give me the same excitement here

[sweetness34]

lol i never had that new game smell.  all the excitement was built up pre-release, but in reality I stopped playing the game just 2 hours in.  I played 2 hours on release day and haven't touched the game since.  Biggest waste of $60.  I thought this game was going to be so good because I loved GW prophecies, factions, nightfall, and eotn so much, but this game feels so so different.  I miss the cooperative missions from GW1.

[astromarmot]

pumpkin pie, on 14 December 2012 - 04:49 AM, said:

I don't know about any of you and how you play, i found a singing quaggan yesterday and it just made me so happy.

swimming, swimming, swimming, all summer long
swimming, swimming, swimming, makes your flippers strong

anyone wishes that games are challenging, they shouldn't be playing game, go build a rocket, that's challenging.

Rocket-building isn't that challenging...unless of course you mean Ansari X-prize caliber stuff...now driving without cursing...THAT's challenging...

[Soki]

Daesu, on 14 December 2012 - 02:52 AM, said:

Perhaps because these other items can be bought with gold and you can always get gold by buying gems with real money?

Bingo, you found the issue.

[Tregarde]

Yeah, that "new game smell" is gone.

In it's place I found a game I enjoy enough that I've decided to stay around in Tyria for a while. And the game is just going to get better as they fix more bugs, balance things better, and implement long delayed features.