final Beta Weekend Event is planned for July 20-22.

damn, watching Mike B's (BFF Report etc) stream from GW2 and this is actually tempting. After being bored with D3 way faster than expected and from WoW after 4 years I'm looking for something new. I liked trial of SWToR also but decided not to buy the game (to avoid another addiction) but lack of good endgame there made me think it was good decision after all.

So, I'd like to ask if anybody knows if:

1) I woud like GW2 given info above, I didn't really play 'seriously' any other MMO apart from WoW, I'm former semi hardcore raider and not terrible pvper. (like 2k+ arena ratings with not much hassle on various chars)
2) I've read somewhere (maybe about GW1) it's heavily guild focused, i.e. you have big benefits if you have a guild and you're playing with friends, is it true? I'm not sure if I'd be able to start with one

edit: might as well give a link to show what I'm referring to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhkWW...&feature=g-u-u

If you are really into raiding, and looking for something to fix that part of your gaming experience.... I do not think GW2 will work well for you. The main story will be entertaining, and some of the dynamics will be fun, but I doubt the dungeons will be anything like what you are used to.

The game will require a different skill set than most normal raiding MMO's, and so you would have to learn a whole new way to run. Also, it will most likely be more dependent on grouping with solid people. I have a very strong feeling that pugs will be a total nightmare in GW2.

I think the WvW and sPvP will be totally top of the line though. If you are into pvp in any way at all, then I think that aspect of the game is worth it by itself.

As for guilds... I am not too sure of the actual benefits that will be given to people that are in a guild. I do not think it will be as intense as DDO if that is what you mean. I do think that having a well structured guild for WvW is a necessity if you are serious about that aspect of the game. Aside from the social aspect, not too sure any of any other benefits.

It's called Guild Wars for a reason. Guilds group together like minded folks. Anything beyond solo PvP, it was overwhelmingly better to be a part of an active guild in GW1. Vocal communication is extremely important... skill set-ups, calling targets/skills, spike countdowns, and overall battle tactics; it was near impossible to either type commands in chat, or have time to read them and react in a timely fashion. As you develop relationships with your guildmates, you begin to understand other's motives, reactions, skill levels, etc., leading to a more congealed team, which in turn leads to an improved PvP experience via a higher win percentage.

Beyond this, there was no concrete "benefit" to being a guild member. But being an active guild allowed the for the absolute best PvP experience I have ever been a part of, in any game I've ever played: Guild vs. Guild. I hope GW2 will foster and grow this portion of the game through discouraging solo play. GW1 was killed when they introduced AI followers... but who can blame ArenaNet? After all, PvE players make up the huge majority of most current MMOs.

Correct, I ve had people ask me how the end game will be like for PvE and I tell them, it will be very limited.


if you are a lurker, and are interested in this game for the PvE, you will be absolutely dissapointed, not because its bad, but because there won't be enough even for someone who plays 2-3times a week. within a month you will have done it all

Thanks guys, I guess I can watch some more TV series instead.

Some of the comments above don't seem right in regards to GW2. If anything, the game is encouraging solo play due to the informal approach to grouping. In GW you had to be in a large group of other people or AI companions to do most quests. That isn't the case in GW2 because of the way the game scales according to how many other players are around.

Asura and sylvari will be playable in the next Beta Weekend Event

your response is too limited.

Maybe some aspects of the game are encouraging solo play (although I would debate that) The vast majority of game forms in GW2 demand team play. WvW sPvP and even dungeons for that matter will all need to have well organized members in your group.

Doing it as a pug will work. You can also create a hole in a brick wall with your forehead if you try hard enough......

Also, soloing the PvE is quit possibly the most difficult experience I have ever had in any game. It is not something the average gamer will want to do.

This thread just gone so wrong. GW1 was a tough and a very unforgiving game at times, it was due its mechanics and GW2 is nothing like GW1 mechanically. GW2 is the most casual friendly mmo I have ever seen, soloing was never that easy in any mmo. Its mainly, because there are plenty of people around and you dont have to join the party to share loot, even if you are alone due to scaling its still possible to complete many events. Being in a guild doesnt give you any real benefit, you dont have to join a guild to be relevant. Spvp definitely requires a lot of organization and to be competitive, you will need a team and a voice communication. WvW while also requires organization, it is way more relaxed and can be done by anyone. Dungeons are hard, but again, being only 5man it is easier to communicate and to coordinate the actions. About PVE being too short, I know a guy who spent 40~ hours in pve during the betas and didnt even complete 1/3 of what they had for the beta. How much game play you really need from a $60 game?

I can only draw one example of how I feel the solo thing will be in in GW2. I see it being a lot like solo que in LoL. Does it work? sure. Can you do it? Sure. Is it fun? for some? Would it be a LOT better if you had a group of friends and could communicate strategy with them? HELL YES!!!

I have never said it will not be a soloable game. By all means, you totally can solo your whole experience. All I am saying is that the game is catering to people who want a group of people who form a system of communication and execution. That system is created on the fact that this game is (to the common MMO player) immensely skill based. Much like any skill based game, unless you are with equally (or greater) skilled players, it is an uphill battle.

As for the bang for your buck issue...... In today's market of free to play games... people are going to want a lot more than a few weeks worth of content. To the average person who has played WoW for 5 years, this games PvE/late game will be greatly lacking. Even for $60.

Time will tell I suppose. Just one mans thoughts.

f2p being cheap is a bull****, if you like your f2p game, you will end up spending much more than $60. The same will happen with GW2, a lot of people will buy stuff from the store. Many AAA titles dont even have 30 hours of content for $60, people still happily spend that money.

I have never heard of a AAA title before. Where is the AAA list?

it is probably just personal experience, but I find it to be false that if you like your game, you will pay more if it is F2P. It has been my experience that competitive players spend a pretty minimal amount of money cause they have the time to grind.

The people that usually spend the most are 2 types in my experience. Really bad people that think they need to pay to win, and people who have enough money and just do not care.

Either way. time will still tell. I am just stating now that solo late game content/PvP will be kind of annoying for the committed gamer, and not nearly as much fun as having a group of friends. You disagree, let's wait and see.

AAA titled game has a big budget and is released by a major publisher. Like a blockbuster in film.

Not everyone has time to grind for items and would rather just enjoy the experience right away.

If the game itself is not pay2win, how is it relevant? And how can you be considered a bad person by supporting a game developer, which provided you a game you enjoy playing? If the game provided you with hundreds of hours of enjoyable experience, I dont see how its wasteful to spend money on it. If you buy a game and its a ****, then the money wasted.

Its always much more fun playing with a group of friends and I never stated otherwise. Some people tried to mislead the other person by saying that its almost impossible to solo and that is not true. There is still plenty stuff to do even if you dont have friends in game or a guild.

pre-ordered!