Guild Wars Release Date Announced

AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Along with other info.</div> <a href='http://www.guildwars.com/press/pr08-02-14-05.html' target='_blank'>Press release</a>
And
<a href='http://www.guildwars.com/gallery/movies/default.html' target='_blank'>Video preview of old Ascalon</a>

Notes of particular interest in the press release:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The schedule for the final three Beta Weekend Events follows:

    * February 18–20, 2005
    * March 18–20, 2005
    * April 15–17, 2005

<b>The March and April Beta Weekend Events will be held exclusively for players who preorder Guild Wars.</b><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Players in Europe will soon be able to preorder the game and participate in the Beta Weekend Events. Details on the European preorder program will be announced in coming weeks.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
W00t.


And man, that video is so good. I do hope they have some of that music in the game, most I've heard so far was too subtle in the background to be appreciated.

Comments

  • JimmehJimmeh Join Date: 2003-08-24 Member: 20173Members, Constellation
  • TheWizardTheWizard Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10553Members, Constellation
    So, what is Guild Wars and how does it differ from other MMOGs?
  • JimmehJimmeh Join Date: 2003-08-24 Member: 20173Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-TheWizard+Feb 14 2005, 08:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TheWizard @ Feb 14 2005, 08:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So, what is Guild Wars and how does it differ from other MMOGs? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    No pay per month fee thing.
  • FamFam Diaper-Wearing Dog On A Ball Join Date: 2002-02-17 Member: 222Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Yay, an actual date!
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    edited February 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-TheWizard+Feb 14 2005, 03:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TheWizard @ Feb 14 2005, 03:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So, what is Guild Wars and how does it differ from other MMOGs? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    No.

    Monthly.

    Fee.

    Edit: Hey, that Ascalon place looks pretty nifty!
  • FamFam Diaper-Wearing Dog On A Ball Join Date: 2002-02-17 Member: 222Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited February 2005
    <a href='http://www.guildwars.com/gameinfo/default.html' target='_blank'>Guild Wars Synopsis</a>

    Its heavily based on cooperative quests (there are very very few single player quests) or team vs. team (In arenas). Improvement of your dual-classed character is done mostly through skills (of which there are many), rather than items (of which there are still quite a few).

    Ruined Ascalon makes Fam sad. Shiny Ascalon makes Fam happy! Damn those Charr.
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited February 2005
    Well, first off, stricly speaking it isn't a MMO. At most like 100 of the players are in the same town, when any more arrive they are put in a seperate "district". There is no difference at all between different districts except for the players in them(and obviously the consequences of this). And it's not pay to play.
    Also, GW focuses on Player vs Player and Player vs Environment(/Monsters(meaning, quests.)).
    All quests are instanced for each party taking one on. Normal parties are 4 players large, or for later, more difficult quests, 6-8. All major quests are oriented around the storyline, which means that you have to complete quest one to get to quest two etc. Of course there are smaller sidequests you can do on your own(if you're strong enough to survive the explorable areas on your own).
    Levelling up makes a difference, but unusually small. The idea is that experienced GW players with level 1 characters - who know how to use their 'skills' to best effect - should be able to beat clueless players that have lv20 characters.

    Skills are acquired from a Skill trainer. If you manage to finish all the major quests, you should be able to find 3 or 4 different ones total in the places you've been, though there are supposedly several spread around in habitations you can only reach via explorable areas. I've only found one, but I didn't do much exploring.

    Umm. There's quite a lot that's different from most other MMORPGs.

    Anyway, the general gameplay is much like diablo actually. Except instead of spamming the mouse button you just click once, and the computer autoattacks, autoaims, and automatically closes the distance for you. So there's no skill involved in shooting/hacking/bashing etc at stuff(except for obvious stuff, like do not try to shoot through a cliff.). This is presumably the major reason that they don't need a huge nest of servers, which in turn leads to no need to charge for playtime.

    Instead, you have the option of buying expansion packs that will be released every 6 months or so. Such packs will add content in just about every way.


    EDIT: I write too slowly. But I dont have the heart to delete it all.
  • KaineKaine Join Date: 2002-08-07 Member: 1096Members, Constellation
    its about the only MMO i'm really considering getting into.

    what can i say? I hate commitment.
  • FamFam Diaper-Wearing Dog On A Ball Join Date: 2002-02-17 Member: 222Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited February 2005
    Ditto Kaine, Its fun, its cheap, and it doesnt punish you if you have stuff to do in real life too.

    Just to add to Align, the skill is not in attacking with your weapon, but having, timing and using your skills to defeat the enemy and help your group.
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Align+Feb 14 2005, 03:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Align @ Feb 14 2005, 03:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Anyway, the general gameplay is much like diablo actually. Except instead of spamming the mouse button you just click once, and the computer autoattacks, autoaims, and automatically closes the distance for you. So there's no skill involved in shooting/hacking/bashing etc at stuff(except for obvious stuff, like do not try to shoot through a cliff.). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I was hoping that they'd improved it a lot since the E3 For Everyone event, but since that system is still in place, I guess I won't be playing after all. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited February 2005
    Because it's so hard to hit monsters three times your size in every other game.
  • SurgeSurge asda4a3sklflkgh Join Date: 2002-07-14 Member: 944Members
    Oh thank God, this should be the best screensaver since Dungeon Siege.
  • AfrAfr Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16240Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    I tried the beta, it was pretty good.


    Maybe a bit blurry.
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Align+Feb 14 2005, 05:11 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Align @ Feb 14 2005, 05:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Because it's so hard to hit monsters three times your size in every other game. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yeah, but you're still doing it yourself. What's the point of playing a game if anything that could be remotely challenging is automated?
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    What I was trying to say is that aiming wouldn't <i>be</i> remotely challenging. How does WoW do it anyway? Stab mouse button repeatedly? Gee, that sure sounds like <b>fun</b>!

    Other than that, look to Fam for answers, as he speaks the truth.
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    WoW doesn't sound too appealing either. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> I'm thinking more along the lines of PlanetSide, except with less suck. Or Face of Mankind if it weren't Face of Mankind.
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited February 2005
    Yeah, I'd play that. In fact, I'd pay for that.
    But aiming shouldn't be the one thing to take into account when deciding on someone's skill.
    Or rather, it shouldn't be that as long as we are talking about RPGs...
  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Kaine+Feb 14 2005, 09:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Kaine @ Feb 14 2005, 09:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> its about the only MMO i'm really considering getting into.

    what can i say? I hate commitment. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I know the feeling, I doubt I would keep at WoW, which is why I am yet to purchase. I will try out guild wars to see what MMO atmospheres are like. If I can stick it, I'll be a WoW player at the end of the month <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • ZiGGYZiGGY Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12479Members
    forrester, its a positional game you know, like chess.
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    edited February 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-Align+Feb 15 2005, 06:43 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Align @ Feb 15 2005, 06:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> How does WoW do it anyway? Stab mouse button repeatedly? Gee, that sure sounds like <b>fun</b>! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That's how you get your arse kicked. There is, believe it or not, a fair bit of skill involved to fighting well, especially in PvP, and even versus higher level mobs.

    Oh, and Dungeon Siege 2 is coming out this year, so don't bother with Guild Wars, just wait for that. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    You fail to actually describe anything.
    And the only similarity between dungeon siege and GW is that they look pretty and have humans in them.
  • Pepe_MuffassaPepe_Muffassa Join Date: 2003-01-17 Member: 12401Members
    hmm, how would I describe Guild Wars to someone who hasn't seen it...

    I would say "strategerie". There is plenty of "action" in any given fight, but very little aiming - it is hard to describe, but most of your time is spent managing your health / mana flow, casting spells, and trying to out-think your opponent. Adding "aim" would definatly complicate the game beyond what it is meant to be.

    It is very much a skill based game - its main goal is "to have fun all the time - not preparing to have fun". To that end, they lowered the level cap (20) and put more emphasis on strategy as opposed to level grinding / obtaining uber items.

    However, before you say they have a slim gameplay experience, think again. Here is a short comparison of how Guild wars compairs in the skills department with a typical MMORGP.

    Lets take the skill fireball. Most mmo's require that you level fireball again and again - the more you level it, the better it gets, until you have fireball of doom x 10!
    Guild wars requires that you get fireball 1 time - there, you have learned that skill. Now go find/capture/buy meteor, or go get fireball of doom x 10!
    Now, the secret to making these skills better is how they group them. Each character has ~ 4 atributes that they can put points into. Following with our skill "fireball", the character would put up to 12 points into the "fire mastery" atribute - streingthening all fire based skills. That allows your fireball to be equal in power to meteor, or whatever - because they all get augmented at the same rate.

    Well, lets say you start off liking fire skills, but then you get "water trident" and decide to give that a try. Unfortunatly, you don't have any atribute points left. Guild Wars has the answer. Every time you level you get "redistribution points" that you can use to subtract from one skill set (fire) and add to another (water).

    Ok, here is the little white lie in Guild Wars. You do level past 20 - it just doesn't tell you. The only thing you gain is more redistribution points. your overall character streingth doesn't increase, but it allows you to play the same character a huge variey of different ways over the course of your playing it.

    So there you have it - the more you play, the more skills you find / buy - but you don't become more powereful - you just get a broader base to choose from. The goal of Guild Wars is to allow a new person to fight an old person and still have a 50/50 chance with the deciding factor being skill. Weather a level 1 character can beat a level 20 - I don't know - but between a level 20 who has played a week and a level 20 who has played 3 years, both are on equal footing.

    Hope this helps!
  • SuitePeeSuitePee Join Date: 2004-11-18 Member: 32857Members
    Dungeon Seige 2.
    Right,that's that settled.
    First a compulsory addiction to WoW for a few months,then DS2,then both.
    Cos DS1 rocked. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • SurgeSurge asda4a3sklflkgh Join Date: 2002-07-14 Member: 944Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Align+Feb 15 2005, 03:05 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Align @ Feb 15 2005, 03:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> You fail to actually describe anything.
    And the only similarity between dungeon siege and GW is that they look pretty and have humans in them. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Two things to say.

    First, Dungeon Siege wasn't pretty. Guild Wars is.

    Two, they both are pretty much watered down to the point where if the game levelled and ran you around automatically, it wouldn't be a game anymore.

    They say Guild Wars is about tactics and mainly having your beefy warriors defending your magic-users, but there's absolutely nothing stopping their fighters from simply rushing at the magic users and hacking them to death. That's just one example, too.
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited February 2005
    Uh, yes, but if WoW automatically run around and levelled up for you there wouldn't be anything to it either. What's your point? EVERY rpg is like that. Saying "Run around and level up" about a RPG is like calling life "living". Apart from story, and if you're saying that GW doesn't have a story, you really need to look again.

    The thing with support casters is, they do LESS damage than the bashing smashing warriors. However, they can damage several people at once/heal up their own warriors. But any melee fighter that ignores another melee fighter heading for him is not going to survive long enough to kill any supporting casters.
    Plus you get tons of "status ailment" skills, and theres nothing they can do about it, except get their own supportive caster.
    I would write more, but I'm in a hurry.
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