Category Archives: Guild Wars

GW2: Entertain me once, get $60. Entertain me twice, get $15

Posted on August 28, 2012 by SynCaine

Lack of progression is the second biggest killer of MMOs (progression you can’t be bothered with being number one), which is why I’ve always maintained that GW2 will live or die by how successful WvW is (and to a lesser … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design | 20 Comments

GW2: Posting this from the overflow blogging server

Posted on August 27, 2012 by SynCaine

Having re-subbed to WoW this weekend… no wait. GW2! Best game ever! Yay! Wait wait… GW2, still worth the $60, I guess. Much better. Talking about the hours after a major launch is always subjective. My first hour with GW2 … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan | 30 Comments

The death of Guild Wars 2

Posted on August 24, 2012 by SynCaine

Tonight Guild Wars 2: The Dream dies, to be replaced by Guild Wars 2: The Reality, and for many the best MMO ever will cease to exist. Fear not, the cycle of life in MMO land will go on, and the next … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Guild Wars, Mass Media, MMO design, Warhammer Online | 65 Comments

GW2: Server = Jade Quarry

Posted on August 21, 2012 by SynCaine

Inquisition will be playing on Jade Quarry, so if you have been following this blog and are considering playing with us, make that your home server. A lot of factors went into the decision, but overall we feel that server … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan | 8 Comments

GW2: Server selection metagame

Posted on August 16, 2012 by SynCaine

The amount of meta-gaming going on right now around GW2 server selection is pretty interesting. More on this post go-live, but if WvW is at all a concern to you, choose wisely (or read this blog).

Posted in Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, PvP | 11 Comments

I’m starting a GW2 meme today #hashtag

Posted on August 15, 2012 by SynCaine

21 / (1.1m / 2) = 26,190. 21 is the number of US servers for GW2 as of today. 1.1m is the rumored/reported/whatever number of pre-orders for GW2 right now (or something). 2 because EU will have its own servers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, Rant | 35 Comments

GW2: Retention fails

Posted on August 14, 2012 by SynCaine

My retention post about GW2 had some interesting if not unsurprising responses. Perhaps the MOST surprising (but not really) part was how varied the ‘why’ explanations were. The easiest justification was that GW2 will have fluff to ‘grind’, and since … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Guild Wars, MMO design | 55 Comments

GW2: Retention issue?

Posted on August 10, 2012 by SynCaine

There has been some expressed concern over GW2’s long-term appeal. I think the concern is somewhat valid. With no item chase, no long-term leveling progression, and no real ‘point’ beyond moving your server up in the standings (which will only … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design | 30 Comments

Dynamic layers

Posted on July 17, 2012 by SynCaine

This blog would be a lot more interesting if I could write about our current plans and immediate impacts of our current situation in EVE, but EVE being what it is, I can’t. Hopefully the delayed drip won’t result in … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, EVE Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP | 6 Comments

Day-one mastery

Posted on June 29, 2012 by SynCaine

Keen has a nice post about why he is finding current-day MMOs lacking, especially in immersion. I think what Keen writes is something many (most?) MMO players feel, whether they actually know it or not. A major issue with MMOs … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, beta, EQ2, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 10 Comments