[GW2]New thread is up. Hope everyone enjoyed the April BWE! It was awesome!

Corehealer · April 2012

PRE-ORDER/PRE-PURCHASE DETAILS HERE:
https://buy.guildwars2.com/ and wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/User:Stephane_Lo_Presti/GW2_prepurchase_retailers_list
For PA GW2 Teamspeak 3 server info and FAQ, please scroll down to posts 3 and 4.

Welcome to the Guild Wars 2 Thread! (Wherein is discussed Arenanet's upcoming font of gold plated awesome, their sequel to their original MMO hit, Guild Wars).

The Venerable Wall of Erections:

ghost_master2000 wrote: »

God... Every time I come in this thread I need a change of pants.

Joshmvii wrote: »

Every time I come in my pants I visit this thread.

Zzulu wrote: »

I feel I don't even need any more info on the game. I've been sold for many months now and I just want to buy it and play it already.

Klyka wrote: »

I have to be completely honest here:

I would pay double price if I could have the game NOW.

Chubby Bunny wrote:

I can't look at this topic any more. I'm so hard I can't even breathe.

Avynte wrote:

GW2 is going to force me to see a doctor because I don't think holding an erection until Q1/2 is going to be good for my health.

Sarksus wrote:

DROP THIS GAME INTO MY MOUTH ANET I WANT IT

naengwen wrote:

Coming into this thread is like Christmas.

Enig wrote:

I'm getting pretty concerned that GW2 will just be too much fun, and people won't be able to handle it. This could really hurt the game long term.

ironzerg wrote:

I know nothing about GW2 other that what I watched a couple hours ago. The manifesto video. My body is still trying to recover from the sudden explosion of blood that rushed into my penile extremeties.

Caedere wrote:

There is no other game coming out that I am excited for more than Guild Wars 2. In fact, there are no entertainment properties that I anticipate more than this game—no book, movie, TV show, videogame, nothing.

Rend wrote: »

I'M STILL NOT ON THE WALL

We aim to please.

Welcome to Take 5 of our ongoing saga of Guild Wars 2 game hype, MMO industry discussion and offering praise to ArenaNet. Core is back to host, and everyone should thank Arthil for hosting the last thread. Also beta, that’s pretty important too. The old threads can be found in the MMO archive because I’m too lazy to waste space here linking to them, awesome as they were. They live on in an ever growing save file on my computer, brought here for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

As you might remember, Guild Wars was an interesting hybrid multiplayer RPG game with MMO elements released during the early years of WoW's dominance in the MMO market, a stylish, robust offering most notable for being free to play without any restrictions or item shops with the purchase of the retail box. It featured six core classes, PvE content containing 25 storyline missions of epic scale and scope, and a PvP component, the fondly remembered Guild vs Guild and World vs World style combat. With the level cap at only 20, players could reach it rapidly or even start new characters for PvP at the level cap and fully trained. Since 2005, it's gotten 3 expansions and countless patch updates. It's still going strong on it's own and is one of NCSoft's most successful forays into the MMO market.
And now, ArenaNet, the developers behind the game under NCSoft ownership, are back with a new beginning for this great franchise, the highly anticipated and 6 years+ in the making...

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em0Sd60iI2w

Guild Wars 2 Design Manifesto: (The real reason you should have a boner for this game despite past MMO genre failures)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJJA_veYQ5s

Behind the Scenes Retrospective Video: (Another reason to have a boner for Guild Wars 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GwKGbNKQHE

Various ArenaNet devs talking about the game and the community it has already built around it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZMJ3sw_IcY

Those videos sure are great, but how about a bit more detail on what makes GW2 different and awesome? Here's the straight poop you need to know, and if you want more details, read on!

- No monthly fees. GW2 requires only the box purchase to play, and has a microtransaction store in game that sells optional consumables and cosmetic stuff; no pay to win items.
- Dynamic Events, or, imagine actually looking forward to running into other players in an MMO world. The dynamic event system replaces traditional questing with a system of events, some independent, some tied together, that play out in the world independent of player action. You automatically enter and leave them at will, and do not need to ask a quest giver for them or return to one after it's completion. All you need to do is participate, and everyone involved is rewarded based on how much they participate.
- A Truly Personal Storyline. Be a hero, make choices, learn about the overarching situation in the land of Tyria, Save the World, etc. Your character can experience a tailored, GW campaign style story in addition to the dynamic event system that you shape with your choices.
- Epic-scale PvP. Love sieges, keeps, chaos? Want blood for the Blood God? WvWvW, lovingly nicknamed wuvwuv, is three servers pitted against each other in vicious combat to dominate an inter-dimensional battlefield known as the Mists for glory and for the benefits victory brings to one's server. Think DAOC Borderlands skirmishes and sieges, but with no factions. Servers are unified against other servers.
- We also have Small-scale E-sport PvP. Think WoW battlegrounds/arenas, but more finely tuned and balanced.
- Sidekicking allows you to always be able to play with your friends, no matter what level you are.
- No Holy Trinity means you will always be able to play with anyone and not need to spam chat looking for tanks and heals for hours. Players need to be more skillful, self-sufficient and work as a team to succeed at challenging content.
- No grind. Thanks to the variable level sidekick system and dynamic event systems, the devs have little reason to drag out the leveling process. It follows a linear progression of about 1.5 hours per level up to a max level of 80.
- No gear treadmill. As in GW1, max-stat gear will be readily available as soon as you reach the max level. The challenge of dungeons, PvP and other high-end content will provide your character more awesome looking equipment and give marginal upgrades to stats and some unique abilities, but you can’t out-gear your problems in GW2.
- Beautiful graphics, smart user interface, extensive Armor-Dye System, and more! Such as:
- Useful and convenient Crafting system,
- Multiplayer Skill Combos,
- Complex Trait System for Character Skill Customization,
- A Fully Featured Auction House known as the Marketplace, with buy orders and other economical trend reports (like EvE) and,
- For quick fixes of fun and bar brawls, Fun Mini Activities. Think carnival games and tests of skill.

If any of this has piqued your interest, continue reading, watching and checking out the many links and articles.

Playable Races Section:

The 5 Races: (It isn't just humans anymore!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdr8HHJ-zU

The Humans:

The resiliency of the noble human race has been tested many times. They have paid a dear cost for their security and liberty, yet their spirit remains unshaken. Only through courage, will, and unity can the humans retain their storied culture and reach once more to rise above. The characters you played in the original Guild Wars won't be able to follow you here, but the human race still struggles on in their name to find a place among the new scheme of things, and this time they will need your help. They have also gotten a lot of upgrades in the last 2 centuries, which will be interesting to see when compared to the original game.

The Charr:

Ascalon's conquerors, the charr are ferocious, warmongering creatures--the intractable foes of humanity. Now, as greater dangers threaten their conquests, charr legions and their war machines prepare for battle. Think steampunk meets bipedal sabertooth cats. With guns! These guys are no joke, and guaranteed to be the most rolled MMO race since the blood elves.

The Norn:

The norn are towering brawlers from the frigid northern lands who can shape-shift into mighty bestial forms. Driven from their homeland by a force beyond reckoning, the norn have regrouped among the dwarven ruins of the Shiverpeaks. The Vikings have nothing on these guys. If you ever wanted to become a polar bear and tear your opponents limb from limb, this is the race for you.

The Asura:

The asura, who once ruled the caverns and tunnels below Tyria, are an advanced race of small size and great intellect. Now that they have risen from below, the asura aim to rule the surface world with their powerful golems and ingenious plans. This aesthetic feels similar to many a small yet smart race from other lore (Gibberlings in Allods, Gnomes in WoW and elsewhere, Halflings from LoTR and D&D, etc), but what these big eyed fellows lack for in originality they more then make up for in technology and and having enough differences in viewing the world around them to make them unique among those who love being small and mischievous.

The Sylvari:

Not much is known of the sylvari, save that they are a race of sentient plant-beings, newly blossomed into the world. The sylvari are the youngest of the races, bound together by a common dream and awesome power. They are a race that was created at the end of a long quest in the original Guild Wars involving a peace loving centaur who planted his dream of a better world in the form of a tree which is now a forest from which this race has been born. I think this was a great idea for a new player race and i'll definitely be interested to see where their story goes.

Professions Section: All classes are now revealed. We all agree they are all awesome and alt worthy; the big question is, which one will you play first?

3 Scholar Professions:

Elementalist. The Mage/Shaman-esque caster class who calls upon the four traditional elemental powers of Earth, Air, Fire and Water to do everything from nuke things to healing allies, buffing their abilities, modifying their attacks and generally making things explode. They use an Attunement system to focus the elemental powers to the element most suited to their needs in any given situation. GW2 Site link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/elementalist/.

Necromancer. Anyone who knows anything about time honoured fantasy IPs, like D&D and Everquest, know that Necromancers are feared, dark magic using spellcasters, who create vile diseases with their evil spells and summon up terrifying undead minions from the very earth to smite their enemies. In Guild Wars 2, they are very much akin to this ideal, and can be seen as a WoW warlock turned up to 11 with more AoEs and, in this game's case, a monopoly on fear mechanic skills, as well as many deadly attacks that hurt opponents while healing allies and giving the Necromancer an exclusive energy type known as life force, with which they can fuel their most potent skills. Another fine, and certainly scary, addition to the profession list. (Now officially confirmed after the Gamescon reveal.) GW2 Site link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/necromancer/

Mesmer. Do you like being FABULOUS? How about shooting laser beams? Teleporting around the battlefield and fucking with your enemies? Then mesmers are for you. These masters of illusion and charm can change the flow of a battle and distract and fool enemies with a wide variety of cool abilities, including splitting into mirror images that shatter and damage close foes, AOE invisibility and mantras, abilities which can be charged up prior to an engagement and then used in conjunction with other skills at any time for powerful combos. They are among the more complex classes in GW2, but are sure to delight anyone interested in a unique magic profession that can do some pretty incredible fakeouts and tricks. And look great while doing it! (Officially confirmed after a short pre-reveal by some European game journalists who linked the skill trailer (in French) to Youtube two days early, thus spoiling Arenanet's humorous "Minstrel" class reveal stunt, which still went ahead and was still full of fun and bad vocals. The first of many Mesmer tricks to be sure). GW2 Site link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/mesmer/

3 Adventurer Professions:

Ranger. The bow and arrows trailblazer, a survivalist of the wild who is the master of the lonely places of the world and nature, calling forth a loyal animal companion and the spirits of the elements to aid them and their party in any situation. Versatile and awesome, think WoW's hunter with less retarded pets and more interesting skillsets. This profession was a fan favourite of the original and promises to be all that and more in GW2. GW2 Site Link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/ranger/

Thief. This is the trademark rogue style class, a sneaky and stealthy assassin who sticks daggers in mans and dances around the battlefield picking enemies off at will. This incarnation of the rogue style class structure comes with some marked differences over a WoW style rogue, among the biggest being the limited, tactical nature of stealth, the use of small firearms as active weapons, and the ability to steal generic objects from a target (and not their inventory) which creates new, powerful skillsets on a whim to be used against the target with devastating results. Thieves are all about being subtle, graceful, ambushing from the darkness and keeping an enemy preoccupied, as well as setting traps, and will fit in nicely with support groups in need of a backup plan. GW2 Site Link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/thief/

Engineer. Engineers are a sexy departure from regular MMO class conventions. They throw down turrets like Team Fortress 2's beloved practical problem solver, concoct grenades and alchemical healing potions among other things to aid in battle and help allies, and generally control the tactical situation of the battlefield with mines, traps and a good old fashioned firearm at their side. This class, the much hypothesized gun class of GW2, as well possesses tool kits and other useful skills to further customize their role in the field, making Engineers that much more expert at what they do. These guys are no joke, and are sure to be the bane of many a foolhardy player in PvP. GW2 Site Link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/engineer/

2 Soldier Professions:

Warrior. The typical damage sponge plate wearing melee fighter. Warriors have a variety of skill and damage options related to the variety of weapons they can use in game. They use an adrenaline system, similar to WoW warrior's rage, to build up the energy nessecary for performing a variety of cool abilities, including burst abilities for quick attacks. They also use a variety of buffing abilities related to Shout commands and the use of banners to target enemies and buff allies on the fly in combat. (Now officially confirmed, this class was in the previous Guild Wars and has been mentioned in various Guild Wars 2 Combat and Gameplay articles released so far, side by side with the released Elementalist. It's safe to say Warriors will be returning to GW2, and their combat videos attest to not only their awesomeness, but to the fluid appearance and natural flow of combat gameplay in GW2). GW2 Site Link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/warrior/

Guardian. The penultimate paladin-esc class described aptly by Ravious of Kill Ten Rats as "a warrior steak with a side of monk potatoes and a small helping of ritualist carrots all covered in paragon gravy". Guardians excel at battle control, defence and support of their allies without the need to make red health bars go up or hold aggro on big scary monsters, preferring instead to think more like a tactician and leader. They can put up wards and shields, buff themselves and allies, and put the hurt on enemies as good as any other. Roll this profession if you want to play Guild Wars 2 as a more support minded character, minus the strict role settings of the Trinity design. (Confirmed by ArenaNet, this class is the second Solider plate wearing class in GW2 as well as the noteworthy first major game reveal of 2011. Grab your popcorn! It's only going to get better as the months pass). GW2 Site Link: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/guardian/

Guild Wars 2 Skill Calculator (Work in Progress, input race, class and weapon to see preliminary skills and their descriptions available to that combo):
http://gw2.luna-atra.fr/skills_tool/?lang=en

Dungeon Section: (This section will expand as we gain more information on Dungeons in the game, indexed based on level requirements.)

From what we know from this article (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/10/19/gu...ngeon-reveals/), courtesy of reVerse, dungeons are entered for the first time in a setting known as Story Mode, where your characters interact with one or more members of the adventuring group known as Destiny's Edge. These characters will guide a group through their personal story and connect it to the overarching plot as well as what's going on story wise in the instance, and aid the player in combat.
Explorable Mode unlocks afterwards for when you return each time to the instance once you've beaten it in Story Mode. Explorable mode is a random generation dungeon type where the actions you took with your group in Story Mode have consequences to what enemies will spawn and what events will occur within the instance.
This is intended as being a replay friendly mechanic, so that dungeons remain vibrant and fun after the first few runs.
Both modes will have loot, including sets for each profession, and grouping is reported to be very easy, in lieu of as of yet unreleased game systems for grouping. NPC heroes like those from GW1 will not be returning, so expect to group like in other MMOs with players for GW2, which is arguably better anyways.

UPDATE (06/24/11): Watch these videos and read this blog article for more updated info, impressions and a showcase of one of GW2's premiere mid range dungeons, Catacombs of Ascalon.

The videos:

Catacombs of Ascalon Intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rgNxFkQW4A

Dungeon Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh428dRV7IY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMCDGDCKeEk&list=UUy1Ms_5qBTawC-k7PVjHXKQ&index=6&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IM2rAK0Q-8&feature=BFa&list=UUy1Ms_5qBTawC-k7PVjHXKQ&lf=plpp_video

The article: Dungeons article at GuildCast (Courtesy of Enig)

Corehealer · April 2012

Part 2 of the OP:

PvP Section:

I considered writing something thoughtful and provocative here, but really, all you need to know about how amazing this game's Player versus Player components are can be found in the below image:

The WvWvW map. 3 server territories and one neutral area in the bottom middle. Takes about a half hour to walk from one end to the other, for size scale, though you probably will never need to do that as there is plenty of fast travel waypoints between key areas available.

And some videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyMRoB8Xff8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxeffOuV_5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk06sCaB0l4&feature=plcp&context=C4d2cf69VDvjVQa1PpcFMc28lyYkGpjV3hVRvtVv7h-QgyH5q85hA=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ay5np0078

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygFJ1n7f1eo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHzuwBOzH6w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnZmnY6J3k0&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvHV7HB2BDc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXc1JwHGNik

You got World versus World versus World, which is three servers fighting over an inter-dimensional battlefield filled with castles and stuff to capture, and you have more structured PvP formats like the Battle of Kyhlo, where the focus is smaller and more traditional and very skill based. All of this is separated from the PvE experience to prevent griefing and factional server splits. ArenaNet is committed to creating a PvP experience that is both accessible to the wider playerbase found in PvE and making it exciting and engaging for them to try from time to time, while also making the system balanced and deep enough so as to support competitive E-sports style PvP on both a large and small scale.

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You better believe a lot of us here on the forums will live and breathe GW2 PvP. Commander Corehealer is looking for a few good men to take that keep up on the hill...

If you haven't got the patience to play EvE's PvP scene or you missed out on DAoC's borderlands skirmishes and keep sieges, or you are simply bored of WoW's stale format and want something different, here is where your server pride will be resurrected in a crucible of fire. Get ready to kill some mans.

OCD Guide to GW2's economy and resource system:

Gems = Currency bought with real money which can be traded within the in game economy for gold and services. Gems are used to purchase in game store vanity items.
Gold = In game currency, acquired through various means, such as selling in game goods and services, PvP and PvE dynamic events. It is used for the majority of in game item and service purchases, much like in other games.
Karma = A resource procured along with gold and experience from dynamic events and completing personal story objectives, among other things. It is used to purchase the PvE versions of gear upgrades for every 5 levels, up to the max of 80.
Glory = The PvP version of Karma acquired in WvW and battleground PvP. Used to purchase the PvP versions of gear upgrades for every 5 levels up to a max of 80.
(Note: All gear acquired in PvP and PvE, regardless of how, is useable in both PvP and PvE without any serious handicaps, and both can be upgraded using crafting skills as well).
Supply = A WvW exclusive resource acquired from various control points and resource nodes found across the WvW maps. After they are captured for your server, players and caravans must transport limited amounts of supply from them in waves to keeps and other strong points to build up the defensive structures and traps of said areas, as well as hire NPC guards to defend them. They must also transport supply as well as a schematic (acquired at any large keep from a quartermaster for gold) for the specific type of siege weapon they wish to build at the site of a keep siege as an attacking force. Siege weapons include battering rams, catapults, trebuchets and Asuran siege golems. Supply cannot be used outside of WvW.
Another resource, Renown, exists for guilds, but we do not presently know what it's function is in relation to guild advancement and the rest of the game economy.

Press/Media Section:

Video Compilation Section: See previous OPs for video of 2010 video releases, primarily PAX Prime 2010 and Gamescon 2010 videos). Also check Google and Youtube.

PAX East 2010 Guild Wars 2 Designing Dynamic Events Panel Playlist!: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_lis...69292ECAAB7B5E

PAX East 2011 Demo Videos (For 2010 PAX Prime Demo videos, see Youtube and the previous thread OP, linked at the top of this one; this Demo focuses on the norn, the guardian, the thief, and various gameplay systems such as crafting and has an improved gear stat system in place over last year's Demo):

Guild Wars 2 PAX East Panel, Parts 1- 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgPS1jHUMbw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lctnKVlj-Zs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMFqmxXP71c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSfuEqtHse8

Alienware Booth Presentation of the Thief Class in the Demo at PAX East (Long video from a streamed original, the good parts start at 14 min in and end at 45 min in, good quality): http://www.justin.tv/alienwarearena/b/281335903

Gamescom 2011 Video Compilation: (Featuring Cynical Brit Totalbiscuit, PvP first looks and Playable, Redesigned Sylvari and Asura)

New GW2 Gamescom Game Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x83sQfGJBmg

Totalbiscuit's interview with Izzy Cartwright on GW2 PvP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvHV7HB2BDc

ArenaNet faces off in 5v5 Battlefield PvP with a Pro e-sports German team on the demo feature map, the Battle of Kyhlo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXc1JwHGNik

Tequatl the Sunless, presumed Dragon liutenenant of ethier Zhaitan or the unnamed sea based dragon, battles a demo raid group:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1JfSbKjHHI

Totalbiscuit's WTF is Guild Wars 2 Parts 1 and 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ttfOuxB6Gc&feature=BFa&list=WLFB28825DDA3768FC&index=19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnVGEYGE8hs&feature=BFa&list=WLFB28825DDA3768FC&index=20

Work in Progress Revealed and Detailed Character Customization Compilation Video (Shows all Race appearence customizations for both genders currently available):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhPMysnqFwc

ArenaNet showcase of the Tequatl fight and related mechanics and scaling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNtwF6UjkR0

Asura Character customization (In German, no sound):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtN3ncmDIjk

Asura Guardian Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cobq3Z4KOmo

GW2Live's Youtube Demo Videos in HD (good quality and played by people who played the first game extensively and know what they are doing, shows off skills and other gameplay features in some videos):

Elementalist Showcasing the Fire, Water and Air Attunements Tactically to great effect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW4sGjWJK_0

Charr Ranger with Pet Action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofUCav0GTww

Dye System Demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sBvWMF44JA

Elementalist and Thief General Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDEwfWHiXis

GameSpot Norn Interview/Customization Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFTSv4CSTAI&feature=related

10 Minute General Combat Montage Video:

GameSpot 10 Min Combat Video

A Q&A Video from June 2011's Fanday chalk full of interesting tidbits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Los-MliDhY

GW2 Fan Trailer Contest:Winners got to go with a friend to ArenaNet's new Seattle Development Studio and play the game with the developers.

Winning Entries (First one is better then second but they are both good and informative):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wm9NMZDN-A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtAREKLnyzI

Art Section: (Some of the most beautiful fantasy artwork I've ever seen, watch in HD.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8KdzIvzY1I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORRilzOugyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61H5yzj0jyQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0PWUBOdzmI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxIhTZEEWL8

Relevant Site Links Section:

http://www.guildwars2.com/en/ The Official Game Site.
http://www.arena.net/blog/ Official ArenaNet Blog
http://twitter.com/#!/guildwars2 Official Guild Wars 2 Twitter Feed (Best place for updates and FAQ clarification).
http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/473/Guild-Wars-2.html MMORPG.com's GW2 Page, (With frequent updates on the game.)
http://www.guildwars2guru.com/ MMOGuru's Guild Wars 2 Community Site.
http://www.massively.com/category/guild-wars-2 Massively.com's Guild Wars 2 News and Updates Page.

Be sure to check the thread as links with new info come in all the time as well!

And to tie up the end of the link roundup, a really weirdly awesome comic shared with us courtesy of reVerse, creator unknown:

reVerse wrote:

To conserve OP space, and because the FAQ has changed somewhat in the years this thread has been following the game, I'm providing a link to it rather then a wall of text from now on. Read the official site's Frequently Asked Questions here: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/game-faq/

Also (as a outsider opinion piece attachment to the somewhat old FAQ page), a really good article you should read which eloquently details various innovative design systems and functions which will be in the game, why they are innovative and awesome, why they will most likely be pulled off, and why you might not like them now, but might learn to love them later:

sidhaethe wrote:

I don't like much about mmorpg.com, but this article by a regular forumer (and GW2Guru denizen) really nails, in exquisite detail, what has me so excited about GW2:

The Tao of Arenanet

If you have any suggestions for the OP/info that should be in it, let me know here and i'll get it updated.
A big thanks to reVerse, Sidhaethe, Loki, Enig, zZulu, Arthil and everyone else who has contributed to the OP and the thread, and our resident ArenaNet insider, World as Myth, for providing us with art assets, up to date info and kind words. Let the BETA dissection recommence!

ironzerg wrote:

Re-read the OP. Ripped another pair of pants...if this keeps up, I'm not going to have anything to wear by release. Pun intended.

Corehealer · April 2012

Part 3 of the OP:

Because it's just as much about the people you're with as it is about crushing skulls and storytime.

This post is reserved for future beta information/how to get in/PA community stuff concerning beta and release.

BETA STUFF:
APRIL BETA WEEKEND EVENT SERVER HAS BEING DETERMINED. WE (NA/US PA PLAYERS) ARE GOING TO FORT ASPENWOOD WITH THE REST OF PA FROM SE++. EUROPEAN PA PEEPS ARE GOING TO DESOLATION AND WILL BE TRYING OUT US SERVERS ONE NIGHT DURING THE EVENT TO TEST LATENCY AND CHILL WITH THE REST OF US. (Various online communities are going to our original choice of Yak's Bend, including Yogscast, GW2Guru, Goonswarm and by extension SomethingAwful, Reddit and others. The situation is evolving, but we'd prefer to spend less time in overflow and more time in an actual server networking and playing together, not to mention WvW server access).

The NDA at this initial stage of closed beta is pretty tight; no leaking or screenies or whatnot permitted without prior authorization. NDA will be lifted for April's BWE and all following BWEs leading to release. (BWE = Beta Weekend Event, btw, as all betas we are aware of thus far have been on the weekend and all future ones we are aware of will be on the weekend. Future open betas closer to release may be handled differently).

There was a brief 50 hour signup period for beta events in late February which accrued over a million hits in that time. Signups have since been closed, but will be reopened a few times more over the course of the beta events. There have been two beta events since closed beta was made available to the public; the first was in late February and was press only. The second was in late March, and was also mainly press with around 10,000 or so randoms picked from the million + crop that signed up.

The next BWE will be in late April and is guaranteed to contain a larger population because of the fact that pre-purchasing the game guarantees access to all future beta events starting with April as well as three day early head start access to full release. We have no confirmed release date for the game beyond confirmation that it will be releasing this year, though many estimate at the rate we are going through beta testing that we might see release come summer time or fall at the latest.

OFFICIAL PA BETA GUILD - What A Nice Guild [WANG] (In game tag will most likely be [PA] or similar). (This is subject to change in open beta or release, but will serve as a nexus guild for any other guilds we create now or later for more specific purposes in PvP and PvE. The GW2 Guild system allows players to be in multiple guilds simultaniously, so we will be using a prime guild for networking between smaller, specialized guilds that will be focused on specific aspects of the game. More on all that later as we get closer to release).

You can find PA people using GW2 UI's social networking style Contacts tab, shown in a few of the press beta videos, to search for familiar faces and the above guild. When I am in the beta, I will do my best to manage the guild and get the PA peeps in each event networked, so PM Trajan/Sarah Corehealer in game to get in touch with me. If nothing else, try asking in general chat for any PA people, specifically in starting areas or cities. Maybe drop a wang here and there. Or tune in to my livestream to see where we are and ask in real time.

USEFUL/FUN TOOLS TO KEEP YOU FROM GOING CRAZY OVER LACK OF GW2:
Allows for you to go through the character creation process, even 'choose' your look via screenshots.
Streamchan

Useful all around tool that has most skill/trait information. Disclaimer: It's in french, but there's a little button to make it show in the Queen's English. *Monocle*
LUNA-ATRA

Only provides the traits but all around seems to have a bit more information, sadly neither tools have info on all traits.
GW2Tools

VC INFO:
For the April BWE we will be using the following Teamspeak 3 server provided by Draygo (seriously, look at how much effort he put into this thing):

Server IP: 66.135.59.185:9999
Password: pa
Admins: Corehealer, Entaru, Draygo, Enig, Geod

People in the BWE Spreadsheet (please add your info so we know how many people are going to be present in the guild, TS server, etc, for networking and stuff):

This is to enter data

This is to view the info

This is most likely a permanent setup for the BWEs and future events/release now because Draygo has put a lot of work into this solution and has swayed myself and Entaru with it's beauty, icons, functionality and abuse of admin power. It also holds 100+ seats up to a maximum of about 300, more then we really need but excellent nonetheless.
It is very unlikely that we will need help funding any server upkeep at this time. If we do we will put it up here.

Entaru's now backup/support 20 man Vent server.
GW2 PA Ventrilo: ventrilo.typefrag.com
port: 24810
Password on request, PM Corehealer or Entaru.

Livestream:
Also, I have a livestream that I'm currently playing around with and tweaking in preparation for GW2, with it being the main focus of my channel. Expect to see it and assorted other games there with live commentary by yours truly with some guest commentary via our GW2 Ventrilo/Skype. Link is here and in my signature. http://www.twitch.tv/corehealer
I WILL BE STREAMING THE APRIL BWE EVENT. I'm pre-purchasing the game April 10th which will guarantee me access to all BWE events and early head start access to release. If you want to watch me, my GF and the PA community play this amazing game together and learn more about it, tune in later this month!

Corehealer · April 2012

This post is now the Penny Arcade Guild Wars 2 Teamspeak FAQ, written by Draygo for everyone's convenience. Server seats 100+ people and everything you want to know about it can be found below or by asking Draygo, as he put it together and has been hosting these servers for years.

Q) Where do I get it:

Download teamspeak here: http://www.teamspeak.com/?page=downloads
You can get teamspeak for windows, mac, and linux. As well as your Ithing and your android, if you so prefer.

Q) Cool, I installed it, now what?

Now you must connect to our totally awesome server. In order to do that you must first run teamspeak. Then hit Connections at the top. Select Connect.

Now you must enter the server details:

Server Address: 66.135.59.185:9999
Nickname: Your forum or In Game Name
Password: pa

Q) What does the banner in the top right do?

The community thread banner when clicked on will open the most recent guild wars 2 thread on penny arcade.

Q) How do I add a class or race icon next to my name?

You do this by right clicking yourself, put your mouse over server group, then left click any of the categories named with the race or class you want to choose. You can uncheck them at any time to remove the icon.

Q) Who are the server admins?

They are Draygo, Corehealer, Entaru, Geod, and Enig.

Q) So is there a skin/theme for this?

Yes and you can download it from our lobby. Right click the lobby, and select open file browser. You will see the installer file at the top. Download and run that file to skin your client.

In order to activate the theme/skin you need to go to settings->options, and click design on the left.

Then select Theme and change it to PA Guild Wars 2.

Q) Who made the theme?

Draygo did.

Q) How do I change my name?

Right click yourself and select change nickname. You can do this at any time. Do not change your name to impersonate an admin.

Q) What rules can I expect?

Don't be a dick. No personal attacks except 'silly goose', forum rules apply. If it is not appropriate on the forums, it is also not appropriate in teamspeak.

Q) Someone is breaking the rules, or is being disruptive, but no server admins are online. How do I complain.

First, I hope you can all be gentlemen and resolve disputes by yourselves. If someone is being a dick, you can fill out a complaint. Right click someone and click make a complaint. Do not abuse this feature. If 5 people complain about one person in a short amount time, that person will be temp banned from the server. Do not abuse this. Admins will see the complaints that lead to the temp banning and will be unhappy to fix it.

Q) Can I make my own channels?

Yes!
Teamspeak is setup that you can make your own channels in any of the major channels (Except Admin HQ, Lobby, and Afk, for obvious reasons) First enter the channel you want to make the sub-channel in. Right click the parent channel and select, create sub channel. You can enter a name, even a password, as well as set any description you want. After you create the channel, make sure the Audio Codec selected is high enough audio quality.

Right click the channel you created and click edit channel. Click the audio tab and increase the Quality slider. Also decrease the latency slider to reduce lag time. Quality 7, latency 1 are the recommended settings.
These channels are temp only, when the last person leaves them they are automatically cleaned up.

The person who created the channel is the op of the channel and can kick people from the channel (not server). So if you created your own channel and want to remove someone, you can password protect it and remove the troublesome individual.

Q) Is there an overlay plugin?

Yes. There is a built in overlay plugin. To enable it, select settings then plugins. Check the teamspeak overlay plugin and then click settings on the bottom to configure it. Here you can configure any color of each of the elements, as well as transparency settings. I recommend you change the input settings to enable mouse polling, and change the initialization mode to minimal. Minimal mode only displays the one person who is talking, the other mode displays everyone in your channel even those that are talking.

Q) Does teamspeak work with my G15 keyboard.

Yes. There is a plugin for that. Pretty easy to configure again settings->plugins, and enable the G15 keyboard.

Spawnbroker · April 2012

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Huggles · April 2012

Mmm, new thread smell.

OP needs more wuvwuv!

Seidkona · April 2012

Let me spend my money already!

One day to go folks. One day. . .

OhtheVogonity · April 2012

Hey, I wonder. Is this available at midnight?

REG Rysk · April 2012

I wondered about that, but I pre-ordered my pre-purchase.

So don't matter.

Enig · April 2012

It's probably available at midnight (PST?) for digital purchases.

SwashbucklerXX · April 2012

This interview (re-posted for new thread) makes me giggle at some of those histrionic NDA-breaking Reddit posts about the game being too easy, blah blah blah. BETA!

Toothy · April 2012

I'll be up at midnight, hammering f5.

Kai_San · April 2012

I CAN FEEL IT!!!!!

Darkewolfe · April 2012

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

Corehealer · April 2012

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

Not really, you can PP as long as the betas go on and it only guarantees beta access and 3 day early release access. If you aren't sold on the game yet, try waiting out a beta event invite or watch my livestreams of the upcoming BWEs.

Seidkona · April 2012

You could also get on vent with us and ask us questions.

Xagar · April 2012

If they're letting people buy it tomorrow I severely doubt they will be altering it past that date.

ghost_master2000 · April 2012

Altering what?

Corehealer · April 2012

ghost_master2000 wrote: »

Altering what?

What the PP and such affords you as bonuses, like the beta invites.

I think.

Speaking of vent, I'm in Entaru's server while I edit the OP if anyone wants to say hi. I'm just getting over my cold that I've had all weekend but in good spirits about tomorrow. Can't wait to stream and play finally later this month.

am0n · April 2012

Xagar wrote: »

If they're letting people buy it tomorrow I severely doubt they will be altering it past that date.

I agree with this. You can probably pre-purchase it right up until release and get the pre-purchase perks. However, you won't get "credit" for missed beta events or head start time, so if you want to get the most out of it, you probably want to pre-purchase prior to the first beta event.

Stupid · April 2012

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

The only reason to camp out is if you want one of the overpriced Collector's Edition copies. Those are only being printed in a limited quantity and, despite being $150, will likely sell out pretty quickly. Rumor has it that all of the CE boxes slated for Canada have already been "reserved" and if you aren't on a pre-order list from a retailer you simply can't buy one locally. And that's pretty much the only way to buy the pre-purchase CE boxes.

Other than that, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to rush to your local internet vendor tonight at midnight.

Corehealer · April 2012

Let me know if you guys see anything to replace with the thread, or find any broken links. I'm still working on the PvP section but it's mostly done now.

Darkewolfe · April 2012

Corehealer wrote: »

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

Not really, you can PP as long as the betas go on and it only guarantees beta access and 3 day early release access. If you aren't sold on the game yet, try waiting out a beta event invite or watch my livestreams of the upcoming BWEs.

Oh, I’m sold. I’m getting it. I want to make sure I don’t miss out on a single weekend, in fact. But since there aren’t any announced weekends yet, from what I understand I can just pre-purchase any time before said weekend and I won’t have lost out on anything at all. I just want to see if I can get any more info between now and then regarding whether I’ll feel bad about myself if I don’t get the DDE.

Edit: Piss. I'm getting it just so I can wear my 30 HoM points.

Seidkona · April 2012

Darkewolfe wrote: »

Corehealer wrote: »

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

Not really, you can PP as long as the betas go on and it only guarantees beta access and 3 day early release access. If you aren't sold on the game yet, try waiting out a beta event invite or watch my livestreams of the upcoming BWEs.

Oh, I’m sold. I’m getting it. I want to make sure I don’t miss out on a single weekend, in fact. But since there aren’t any announced weekends yet, from what I understand I can just pre-purchase any time before said weekend and I won’t have lost out on anything at all. I just want to see if I can get any more info between now and then regarding whether I’ll feel bad about myself if I don’t get the DDE.

Edit: Piss. I'm getting it just so I can wear my 30 HoM points.

Umarth Darkewolfe will have a friend!

unintentional · April 2012

I have a gw1 character named "is it April tenth" that I've been saying "<--?" as

am0n · April 2012

Darkewolfe wrote: »

Edit: Piss. I'm getting it just so I can wear my 30 HoM points.

If you are bored you can work on getting HoM points for me.

Delphinidaes · April 2012

Bleh wish I was able to nab a beta from the people giving them out, I won't be able to prepurchase this for awhile

Enig · April 2012

Corehealer wrote: »

Let me know if you guys see anything to replace with the thread, or find any broken links. I'm still working on the PvP section but it's mostly done now.

A lot of the links section are broken and/or way out-of-date. I think at this point it could be trimmed down to the major stuff like the blog, twitter, major news/video-sites, etc rather than specific articles or posts.

Might be worth putting the gamescom trailer in the OP. Trailers are always fun 8-)

Madpoet · April 2012

Stupid wrote: »

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

...the overpriced Collector's Edition copies...will likely sell out pretty quickly....

Econ 101 called...

Rednaz · April 2012

Here's hoping they announce the official release date tomorrow (they probably won't though).

Stupid · April 2012

Madpoet wrote: »

Stupid wrote: »

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I still haven't figured this out. Is there a particular reason I NEED to pre-purchase tomorrow, or can I wait a week to see if they release more details on normal versus DDE?

...the overpriced Collector's Edition copies...will likely sell out pretty quickly....

Econ 101 called...

Good catch. I meant "overpriced" in an ironic way. I made airquotes while typing, but apparently you missed them.

I'm buying one for sure. I've already reserved a copy at my local GameStop and am taking the morning off from work to be there when they open at 10AM. If they fail to have a physical pre-purchase box in stock tomorrow, I will drive to my local BestBuy and buy one there. Clearly not "overpriced" to me, but others may not share my enthusiasm (or level of expendable entertainment allowance).

Enig · April 2012

Rednaz wrote: »

Here's hoping they announce the official release date tomorrow (they probably won't though).

They already said they won't. They don't know the release date yet because the beta testing will determine it.

Joshmvii · April 2012

The demand curve goes out the window when games are involved. That curve assumes rational actors, and video game fans are not that. =P

Caedere · April 2012

I pre-ordered the CE pre-purchase at my Gamestop, but they have no clue how the pre-purchase boxes/beta thing works. I'm going to call them when they open tomorrow, and if they still have no clue, I'll get my money back and just do the digital standard edition.

Seidkona · April 2012

One of the great things about the Jon Peters interview linked up there is that they're still doing some major overhauling of some of these systems. I hope the pre-purchase gives them the breathing room they need to just take their time to finish doing it right.

Sure, have it take awhile, I'll test it for them every chance they give me to.

Rednaz · April 2012

Enig wrote: »

Rednaz wrote: »

Here's hoping they announce the official release date tomorrow (they probably won't though).

They already said they won't. They don't know the release date yet because the beta testing will determine it.

Bah, now I remember that statement. Here's hoping that they don't need too many more beta tests to know the proper time to release it.

REG Rysk · April 2012

Core...CORE

Why is the wall of erections in flux?

Every time I gaze longingly at the wall of erections I find some missing. Namely mine.

Seidkona · April 2012

It's cooler to not be on the wall. My love for the game goes beyond such concepts.

TolerantZero · April 2012

My love for this game is like a Lovecraftian monster: it's incomprehensible.

Voro · April 2012

So, pre-purchase tomorrow. I'm disappointed that I can't find a good reason to get anything beyond the $60 digital edition. An elite skill and a mini-pet? Cash shop items that are consumable? I would be better served saving that $20 for things I might actually want from the cash shop. Also, it's silly that they're releasing a "Best of" soundtrack and not the entire goddamn soundtrack. I just hope they plan on selling GW2 art prints on their own. I need something awesome to decorate these walls.

Enig · April 2012

The pre-purchase list was updated! http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/User:Stephane_Lo_Presti/GW2_prepurchase_retailers_list

Notable for US persons: Best Buy is now an option for CE pre-purchase in addition to GameStop.

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[GW2]New thread is up. Hope everyone enjoyed the April BWE! It was awesome!

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