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Guild Wars Launches

NCSoft's newest edition to their ever expanding stable of games, Guild Wars, has launched in North America and Europe. From what I saw while in-game things seem to be working well from a technical standpoint. Commentary from the player base is already available from the fine souls at f13.net and Grimwell.com. More specific commentary comes from AFKGamer, who has commentary about the title a few days ahead of time, and on day one of play.

4 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Re:You must stick to the path! by endx7 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I was in a group in WoW, and someone had to go afk for a bit. In apparent boredom, another guy in the group decided to see if he could jump in the lava and then jump back out before dying.

    It didn't work. We ended up having to wait for him instead so he could get back into the instance (from being a ghost).

  2. Re:Trial Available? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    There was a "trial" for about a weekend per month for almost a freaking year. Where ya been, slappy?

  3. Re:For anyone who is sick and tired of MMORPGs... by kafka47 · · Score: 2, Funny
    Guild Wars sounds great. I will definitely play.

    However, I take some exception with the idea that its an MMORPG, or even to label it as a "virtual world". If the main progress for your character necessitates entering an instance to which you teleport instantly, then what are you playing? Are there quests and stories that span the globe? Isn't it missing some of the essence of any VW?

    The meetup areas are "massively multiplayer". I understand that. But, is there any hint of character, quest, story or game progression from the meetup areas? It sounds quite like Battle.Net to me.

    Its also interesting to note the frustration levels of some people about MMOs.

    • Exploring vast areas considered a negative!
    • Other citizens hindering one's progress!
    • Forming groups with new or unfamiliar people!
    • Safe from PVP combat when not specifically looking for it!
    All of these strike me as some of the logical consequences of playing a "massively multiplayer" game. All of these things are what Guild Wars is not. The title of the game is certainly apt, but I'm surprised they bill themselves as an MMO.

    I look forward to playing it, but will be prepared with the expectation that it is a multiplayer game, and not an MMO of any large scope or splendour.

    /Kafka

  4. Re:For anyone who is sick and tired of MMORPGs... by kafka47 · · Score: 2, Funny
    No one seems to think that just because you get a dungeon to yourself WoW suddenly loses it's MMO status.

    It would definitely be questioned if WOW had nothing but instancing to progress in the game.

    Every person playing in America is playing in one massive server and everyone can interact with each other if they choose.

    True. Thats cool. But when it comes to actually playing the game (as in, engaging in the activity that progresses the game), you're back to a private instance with a handful of players. So, in the meetup areas, its more of a waiting room than a game.

    it is the same thing. MMO players have come to accept these annoyances as a byproduct of being in a MMO world.

    They may be annoying to you. By your list of grievances I would say you shouldn't be playing MMOs at all.

    The game is progressive and different, made by people that obviously know what they're doing. But don't call it an MMO. Its not. Its a hybrid at best.

    /Kafka