Guybrush linked Wish You Were Here – ArenaNet’s Environmental Postcards as the last post in the Original Guild Wars 2 Thread.

The shots are gorgeous! Enjoy.

Guild Wars 2 has won ‘Prix du Public’ (People's Choice Award) at Paris Games Week 2011!

The final profession reveal is apparently planned for sometime this year but the exact date is unknown.

Wow, how wonderful for them. I wonder who the competition was?

Don't know, I don't speak French.

Blog entry: Halloween at the Studio

Another blog entry: Daniel Dociu’s Art Featured in Latest National Geographic

Arenanet agreed with fans that of the announced professions ranger is the weakest and has been reworking it. We can probably expect a reveal of the updated ranger soon, before the reveal of the 8th profession, though they say that will be revealed before the end of the year as well.

Guild Wars 2 Development Update by Jon Peters - this blog entry actually talks about the game

It sounds like they are getting closer and closer to release. Thanks Guybrush.

radio interview with Guild Wars 2 Lead Content Designer, Colin Johanson

I hope I don't get the cannot connect to server message again I keep getting every few minutes from this place since last night.

Thanks Guybrush, I was able to listen to it in it's entirety. I hope it's behaving better for you today.

After a couple of failure I finally got the DNS flushed so hopefully everythings okay now.

MMORPG Exclusive intervew with Jon Peters (after his blog post)

Thanks Guybrush. I wonder when they are going to announce a release date?

"When it's finished"

The Lore of Guild Wars - Episode 1 - fan made video about Guild Wars 1 lore relating to Guild Wars 2

Nice little video but doesn't get very far in part 1. No date for part 2 given.

Thanks Guybrush, I notice in the last interview they made a point of saying that new players would pick up all the lore in GW2. Good planning on their part, I think.

Eric Flannum on the Guild Wars 2 G-Star Demo (G-Star is a Korean gaming convention)

The weapon skill up method sounds interesting.

Chuck Jackman on Updated Cinematic Conversations - I didn't recognize them but apparently some of the voice actors have been used in other games (Assassin's Creed is what was mentioned at guildwars2guru). Note: the armor worn in those starter area videos is NOT starter area armor but higher level armor they were showing off at the Korean convention.

Guild Wars 2 Goes G-Star

Sounds great! Thanks, Guybrush.

For the first time the Arenanet PVP team lost, to two former Guild Wars 1 champion PVP guilds. Also no awards for Guild Wars 2 at this convention. Two Korean made games won awards given by their government.

Jim Boer on the Evolution of Cinematic Conversations

Thanks Guybrush. I'm amazed at all the details which must be considered in bringing games to the market.

MMO REPORT on Guild Wars 2 voice overs

Thanks Guybrush, that was fun!

Yeah but I think Arenanet guys were just playing with him at the end. They already have those characters voiced.

It will be funny though if he ends up in it.
As big as the game sounds, I'm sure there are plenty of places they could use him.

[GW2] Interview with ArenaNet’s Eric Flannum

Thanks Guybrush, these guys are sure not shy are they.

Some people annoyed that they're still talking about making changes. They assumed the game would be out end of this year or early next year. I never made that assumption, I figured it was more likely 2013 anyway. They said 3 books first and the third book isn't due now until June of 2012.

Ahhh that is good to know. Sounds like they are taking all the time they need to work out the kinks.

Since nothing new from Arenanet, here are some Youube videos from a fan on why you should play each particular profession, he adds a new one every day http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1F906FB1D11E042&feature=plcp

Oh, that's fun! Thanks Guybrush

Once again a website Arenanet trusted with advance information leaked a profession before it was time. The official reveal of will be Wednesday. The leaked video was pulled but not before some one was able to make a copy and put it on YouTube.

I'll post link to the official site Wednesday. Finally they picked a day I have off from work.

Thanks Guybrush....I'll look forward to it.

Its probably going to be late, my work schedule has changed, I now have to work tomorrow.

Ashenfold Cartel Interview with Jeff Grubb and Eric Flannum!

Guild Wars 2 Brasil Interview with Guild Wars 2 Lead Game Designer Eric Flannum

Wow, somebody was up early in Seattle. For this reveal you want to go to the Guild Wars 2 main page first. I had to reload it several times before the new content would show up. After listening to the bad music, click on the big text for a surprise. Then click on it again.

First 8th profession interview

There is so much goodness in there

Closed Beta begins Friday. Its only for those people Arenanet has chosen to take part and they'll have to accept a non-disclosure agreement. Arenanet will make a decision about open beta testing later.

Oh, an elite mesmer skill turns enemy into a moa bird with moa bird skills. Making them less a threat to the mesmer.

Oh how fun! Progress is being made

Link Roundup: The Mesmer

After seeing this I'm thinking norn mesmer

Thanks Guybrush, every time I see the art it is fantastic!

Don't believe any web site or emails claiming to have Guild Wars 2 beta test sign up form. Because the current CLOSED beta is by invitation only no sign up form. When Arenanet is ready to do an open beta, it will be posted at guildwars2.com. That's only sight you can trust.

Thanks for the reminder Guybrush....

The Minstrel GW2 joke profession is gone from the Guild Wars 2 page but somebody captured it and put it on You Tube for anyone who missed it.

Thanks Guybrush

Guild Wars 2 Year End Development Update

In case you missed it, in one interview Arenanet mentioned that they already have two expanions in mind. Most GW fans assume they will be related to the other two continets Cantha and Elona. Makes sense to me, but only Arenanet designers knows for sure. In the mesmer announcement they left room for potentionally adding more professions with the expansions. Lot of people assume they'll add new races too, mostly like the bird-men Tengu, who apparently already have a city in GW2 would be one. There's some interest concept art for tengu. Not sure I'd want to play a character with a parrot head though.

I thought that year end round up was it for the year from Arenanet, so I wasn't checking their page, I was mistaken.

Enter Alienware's European Guild Wars 2 Diorama Contest - this for the listed European countries only, no US this time.

Thanks Guybrush....I hope they post the winning entries.

Something is screwy here, can't believe these poll results:

Most Anticipated MMOG Winners

1 Firefall
2 Guild Wars 2
3 Planetside 2

from http://www.tentonhammer.com/polls/most-anticipated-games-of-2012

The winners were put up against each other in another poll. And although the results have not been posted yet the Firefall site claims they tooked second but didn't say which game took first.

Guybrush, I think the answer is in their statement that participants could vote multiple times

Well its a lame poll. They're not even the same type of games. Firefall is a shooter. Guild Wars 2 is a role playing game. I've never heard of Planetside.

Ten Ton Hammer's final results - Firefall got 1st Runner Up so I think you know what won

OnRPG [8] Most Anticipated MMOS of 2012 - Firefall came in 3rd, one guess what's first [Youtube video]

GameRanx: Top 10 Most-Wanted Games of 2012 - can't win em all

Wow, I hope it lives up to its expectations

Charr Plushi Back in Stock

Link Round-Up: Year End Awards Edition

Pretty good summary of what's known about GW2

Flameseeker Chronicles: ArenaNet talks PvE vs. PvP - the in coming months line has some people upset, they must have thought GW2 would be out this quarter, I never thought so.

Transcript of Lore Interview with Ree Soesbee | Guild Wars Insider

Audio on Itunes (its free) If the full interview doesn't show up you'll have to subscribe and then it will. The short tease is funny if you've read "Destiny's Edge"

Thanks Guybrush

Guild Wars 2 Most Ancipated Game of 2012 again

Guild Wars 2: Top Nine Skill Combos

Thanks Guybrush....sounds like we might be getting closer.

Here's a litte of what we know about the personal stories. There's more details on the wiki, this is just my summary of how each begins.

Each race as 3 biography questions to answer at character creation. The answer to the first question seems to determine how the personal story will start.

Human:


Charr:


Norn:


Asura:
Nothing is currently known. However, the first racial question for asura is which college (Statics, Dynamics, Synergetics) do you belong to so the three starting paths will presumably be related to that.


Sylvari:
Nothing is currently known. However, the first racial question for sylvari is what vision did you have? Did you see The White Stag, The Green Huntsman or The Shield of the Moon?


So far the only known effect of answering racial question number 2 is for the charr, as noted above.

So far the only known effect of answering racial question number 3 is for the sylvari, picking the time of day you were born determines which of the First Born is your adviser.

Welcome to the Year of the Dragon - looks like it will be out this year

The Savage Pride of the Jotun - more lore on a minor race. The jotun are monsters in Guild Wars: Eye of the North.

Thanks Guybrush

TowerTalk: Auf Tuchfühlung mit den Norn (Interview: Rubbing shoulders with the Norn )| Wartower.de - introduction is in German but the interview is in English

Transcription of interview (without the introduction) - somebody posted this, wasn't me

Thanks Guybrush Do you speak German?

No. I don't.

http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/exclusive-screenshots-pvp-scholar-armor-lobby/ the pictures on this sight have caused a lot of discussion, about women in fantasy settings. Most are complaining that they show too much skin, calling them sexist. What most have missed however is that the designers of these Guild Wars 2 costumes are women. Not all female armor is like this by the way. Some is more covering. There is also male armor that's more revealing and male armor that's less.

Guybrush, folks just have to complain. Thanks!

Miku’s Tale-Winds of Change Part Three this really pertains to Guild Wars: Factions but it was posted on Guild Wars 2 site. And how I missed Wednesday when I check daily I don't know.

Additional information: the panda as charmable pet for ranger has been added back, it had been deleted to placate the Chinese government since panda's are endangered.

Guildmag: Special Zhaitan's Secrets

If you'd like to see what characters I'm thinking of for Guild Wars 2 follow the links below to Guild Wars 2 Roleplayers forums and messages I left.

Whakk, asura warrior - don't know why Whakk came out so aggressive but he's actualy meaner than the charr I came up with

Anvindr, norn ranger - least fleshed out of characters I've described so far

Kissa Nimbleclaw, charr theif - only female, made a character of this name in Guild Wars: Nightfall in order to reserve the name [GW1 requires 2 word names so can't reserve one word names]

You have clearly given this a lot of thought. Avindr sounds like a lot of fun to hang around.

Guild Wars 2: Why The Developers Love It! - a German web site asked Guild Wars 2 developers why the love their own game. Don't worry their answers are in English

For more on my future characters see:
100 Questions to Ask your Character - you'll have to scroll, look for "Ramei's charr: Kissa Nimbleclaw Show" and "Ramei's asura: Whakk Show" then click on "Show". Don't worry they didn't answer all 100 questions.

There's a thread on the role playing site asking, what is your character's them song. Rather than asking you go to there and have to search for my entry, I'll just repost here.

Kissa Nimbleclaw, charr thief:


Whakk, asura warrior:


as yet unnamed human guardian (this one has vocals):

What an interesting way to think about your character.

Announcing Guild Wars 2 Spanish Localization - if you read/write English and Spanish and are looking for work in the gaming industry, Arenanet is hiring.

Thanks Guybrush....That would be a cool job indeed.

Mike Ferguson on Guild Wars 2 World vs. World - another official blog entry already

Valentine’s in Dragon-Blasted Times - this is very unofficial, Valentines Day is NOT a holiday in GW1, I don't see why it should be in GW2, just some fan's idea of how the other 4 races would celebrate if they did

Letters of Love - more fan Valentines silliness, I think the above one is better

I've always said I'd start GW2 with a sylvari elementlist and charr would be last race I'd try, but ironically I named charr already and still don't have a name for the sylvari.

Note: February 20th is apparently the date the nondisclosure aggreement signed by members of the media who took part in beta weekend ends, so probably going to be lots of reviews next week.

GW2G: Press Closed Beta Test!! - collection of videos and blogs and images from last week's press beta test

Wow, lots of information there. Thanks Guybrush

I only watched emotes and character creation videos. Disappointed that sylvari and asura not in the demo.

Beta Development Update - already some changes made

And this tweet from Arenanet:

Aha....something to look forward to....

Oh I forgot:

my sylvari character from GW2 Role Playing site - after agonizing on trying to find an Irish, or Welsh, or Gaelic name I liked, I gave up and resorted to naming him after my GW1 elementalist, who's name is Japanese . No theme song for him as yet.

Guild Wars 2 Beta Sign Up!

Mike Ferguson Takes Your WvW Questions Here and on Reddit

Sounds like they are really trying to get the kinks out. Perhaps we will get a launch date soon.

See the Bata sign up count they left the beta up past 48 hours, I don't know for how much longer. Count as I enter this 996,315 sign ups.

I see it is over a million now and now closed. I wonder how many they will let in?

Link Roundup – WvW and Beta - the author of this blog just got hired by Arenanet, used to be a commentary writer on a gaming site, Arenanet liked her so much they hired her

Play Your Way – Jon Peters on Traits and Attributes

Thanks Guybrush

It Is On Like Pong – ArenaNet Hosts Penny Arcade

TowerTalk LoreSpecial about the Asura, interview with Jeff Grubb - introduction is in German but interview is in English. This is the final race interview with Jeff Grubb others races will he handled by Ree Soesbee (sylvari) and Scott McGough (charr)

Thanks Guybrush. It's always interesting to read the latest.

If you signed up for the beta event you should have gotten an email thanking you and providing a link to a video thank you on Arenanet's Facebook page. Apparently they have not sent out the actual invites just yet.

Did you get one Guybrush?

I got the thank you message yes.

Big news: Guild Wars 2 Pre-Orders Starting April 10th - click on the link for more information. If you scroll down you will find system requirements.

Thanks Guybrush, sounds exciting

I canceled the pre-order I had at Amazon for 2 years. Because apparently there is a difference between pre-order and pre-purchase. You pre-purchase it from https://buy.guildwars2.com you get all those bonus items including beta weekends and 3 day heard start. But if you pre-order it from some place else all you'll get is 1 day advance playing, assuming the disc arrives on time.

I may have to update my graphics card to be able to play Guild Wars 2 on better than lowest setting.

Interesting Guybrush...glad you discovered that.

Well it turns out you will be able to pre-purchase a standard boxed version (none of the bonus items) from select retailers (which those are don't know at this point) and receive a code that gives access to the beta weekends and three day head start. Then once the box is actually available at the store you will have to go back there to pick it up. The Collectors Edition will work similarly, you would get the access code right away and box later.

The digital versions will come from NCSoft.

Buying the game in April obviously can't get you in the March beta. The March beta test is still by invitation only.

Creating characters or guilds during the betas does not reserve them for the live game since they'll purge the database after the betas. However, characters and guilds created during the 3 day advanced access will carry over to the live game.

The state of Guild Wars 2 so far

Thanks Guybrush, it will be interesting to see this play out.

Building Community

Pre-Purchase site has been updated with prices for digital download ($59.99) and deluxe digitial ($79.99).

Now I have to decided do I want to pay an extra $20 for elite skill, charr mini and 3 consumable items.

Hasn't been confirmed yet but educated guess as to what "select" retailers wills carry Guild Wars: 2 Collector's Edition would be the same retailers NC Soft (the publisher) has used before, and those can be found at http://us.ncsoft.com/en/retail/

Thanks Guybrush, I think the Collector's Edition sounds like a good deal. Is the skill exclusive to the CE?

The skill is available in digital deluxe version and CE.

The Evolution of Narrative in Personal Story

Mike O’Brien on Microtransactions in Guild Wars 2 - blog on how it work but not specifically on what will be available

Thanks Guybrush

Official Pre-Purchase Retailers List

PC Gamer: ArenaNet president talks microtransactions and the risks of going subscription-free

Thanks Guybrush, it will be interesting to see how this works for them. I'm glad they are willing to take the risk.

Guild Wars 2 canceled, Guild Wars 3 in the works - please note the date of this article

New Guild Wars 2 Sound Effects - again look at the date

I know the talented Jennifer Hale is voicing in GW2 - anyone know who?

I love companies with a sense of humor.

Don't know about Jennifer Hale.

Jordan Massey on the Role of the Squad in WvW

Link Round-Up: CBT3 Edition - stuff about March beta test

Thanks Guybrush

Amazon will NOT have the Collector's Edition for pre-sale. It would require sending a code immediately and then mailing the box later and apparently they're not set up for that, except in France. So Amazon France will have the CE.

Currently plan is for game to be region locked as far as were you can run the game but not where you can go once in game. In other words if you buy the US version it connects to US servers if you buy the European version it connects to European servers. For now Asia will link to US. Once in the game you will be able to change to other regions to join your friends in other countries. Reminder currently supported languages are English, French and German with Spanish subtitles being added.

Sidekicking has been changed to only go down, not up. No longer can a level 5 character join a level 15 in a level 15 area and have abilities increased. The level 15 can join the level 5 in low area and be sidekicked down but not the other way around any more.

I wonder if the other MMORPG are region locked?

Introducing The Guild Wars 2 Collector’s Edition Video - pre-purchase starts Tuesday

I'm sure there are lots of folks doing the now.

You can pre-purchase digital versions at buy.guildwars2.com - early this morning it was buggy but I understand its fixed now

As for the Collector's Edition, they weren't kidding about limited. Some people in Europe have complained that their local store had ONE copy.

I went with the deluxe digital version.

Note: removed the beta key hunt link as its now gone.

More info:
If you pre-purchase the standard digital version you will later have the chance to upgrade to deluxe.

Pre-purchasing is not currently implemented at Amazon. Pre-ordering at Amazon will get you 1 day early play of the game (instead of 3 from pre-purchase)

Arenanet is trying to get more CE versions into stores.

Asian investors apparently expecting Guild Wars 2 to do well, they've been buying up NCSoft stock.


Apparently there is a limit to how many digital pre-purchases they will sell (make sense since you get into beta tests and they have to have some limit on that) but they have not said what it is. They have said they will announce when getting close to shutting down pre-purchase.

The elite skill Summon Mistfire Wolf will not be available until your character reaches level 30, which is when elite skills are unlocked.

The other digital items will be received through in game mail system.

Inside the Collector’s Edition – Rytlock Figurine

Wow, a mistfire wolf sounds so cool! Thanks, Guybrush.

Amazon UK is adding pre-purchase.

That CE addition video had GW2 rated T for Teen.

Dancing emote will be added to the game at some point. It was not in the previous betas.

Sylvari and asura were not in last two betas because Arenanet wants to keep some surprises. Even if they add them to future beta events I plan not to play them, I want to be surprised at launch.

If you pre-purchase you will get a thank you for purchasing email which asks you to register. After you register you will get another thank you email. You will not get the link to the game. That will be sent out when first beta event is near.

When you register you will be asked if you have Guild Wars 1 account to link to Guild Wars 2. If you do you will enter your Guild Wars 1 email address and password. After this you will be asked to enter your current email address. This two tier system has confused some people. NCSoft uses the email you used to register Guild Wars 1 as its ID so even if you no longer have that address (I don't) you still enter it when they ask for GW1 email. Then after that when they ask for email again you put in your active address. You want to link your GW1 account to GW2 because 1) your character names from GW1 will be reserved for your use in GW2 (you don't have to use them if you don't want to) and 2) your Hall of Memorial achievements in Guild Wars 1 will unlock rewards in Guild Wars 2.

The email thanking you for registering will include a link to a beta forum, however that forum is currently off line. It will come online during beta events. There is also an account modifing page some people have found but its not ready either. If you find it notice the "Work in progress" graphic and don't try to do anything.

Thanks Guybrush, you do a great job of keeping us in the know

Inside the Collector’s Edition – Making of GW2 Book

I wonder if they'll do the CD tomorrow or maybe the art work.

According to this Reddit, Your Survey Results Are In!. Human Elementalist is most popular character type and charr mesmer least.

Second to human elementalist was asura, third, sylvari. Most popular profession for charr is warrior, with more warriors being charr than other races. Most necromancers and most rangers will be sylvari. Most engineers charr. In addition to most eles being human most guardians, mesmers, thiefs also be human.

Plus the majority of per-purchasers bought the standard version. CE sold the least. 47% of people surveyed did pre-purchase.

How do your choices stack up against the reddit ones?

Results by race (*=most popular race for the profession, **=least):
Human Elementalist 352*
Human Thief 295*
Human Guardian 223*
Human Mesmer 218*
Human Warrior 190
Human Ranger 172
Human Necromancer 157
Human Engineer 114

Total humans: 1721. Human most popular race in general. Humans invented guardian, so not surprised human most popular choice for guardian. Charr invented engineer, kind of surprised at how many human engineers.

My choices for human: guardian and engineer. I see guardian as like a paladin. My idea for human engineer was that he picked the profession to use charr's own tactics against them, then his queen ruined his plans by making a peace treaty with them. Guardian will be dignified. Engineer fierce, which I hope lets him hit charr NPCs.

Sylvari Elementalist 276
Sylvari Ranger 224*
Sylvari Necromancer 204*
Sylvari Thief 203
Sylvari Mesmer 160
Sylvari Guardian 108
Sylvari Warrior 57**
Sylvari Engineer 44**

Total sylvari 1276. Voters seem to have stuck with the idea that the race closest to nature would prefer the professions closest to nature. I guessed correctly that engineer would be least used profession of sylvari. I think Killeen, the sylvari necromancer in Ghosts of Ascalon helped make sylvari most popular choice for necromancer. Sylvari third most popular choice for elementalist, after human and asura.

My choices for sylvari: elementalist (first character I plan to play) and necromancer (leafless tree, winter skin look great for sylvari necro).

Asura Elementalist 290
Asura Thief 179
Asura Engineer 177
Asura Guardian 148
Asura Necromancer 129
Asura Mesmer 114
Asura Warrior 94
Asura Ranger 67**

Total asura 1198. Not surprised by popularity of elmentalist, am surprised necromancer and mesmer less popular than thief, engineer and guardian. Not surprised guardian, with its use of magic is more popular than warrior.

My choice for asura: going against the grain here, warrior. Wanted one ever since I saw concept art of asura in plate armor. I could have chosen guardian but I like the idea of a member of a highly magical race choosing not to use magic in combat. My idea is he prefers to beat sense into the "bookahs" rather than trying to talk down to their level


Charr Warrior 235*
Charr Engineer 203*
Charr Thief 94
Charr Ranger 91
Charr Guardian 79**
Charr Necromancer 69**
Charr Elementalist 50**
Charr Mesmer 20**

Total charr 841. Charr less popular than it would appear on other forums. Charr clearly Arenanet favorite. In lore charr distrust magic users, seems players going to take this idea seriously. Engineer developed by charr so makes sense popular choice for charr.

My choice for charr: thief, female because I like look of female charr better than male.

Norn Warrior 180
Norn Guardian 162
Norn Ranger 126
Norn Necromancer 70
Norn Elementalist 57
Norn Thief 51**
Norn Mesmer 46
Norn Engineer 45

Total norn: 737. My guess is norn least popular race because they're perceived as just big humans, though they have a very different culture. Humans (like charr) tend towards groups, norn very individualistic. I wasn't expecting guardian to beat out ranger.

My choices for norn: ranger and mesmer. I chose ranger so I could start of with snow leopard pet and looking forward to one day turning into a half-norn/half snow leopard. I choose mesmer because I liked the idea of a big strong norn preferring to use brains over brawn. A picture of a norn mesmer clinched it. Memser will follow Raven.

The Book Carts of Lore - most of those book titles are references to Guild Wars 1 characters, however "Time To Dye by Kristen P" refers to Kristen Perry who created the Guild Wars 2 dye system.

That's neat...it's makes games so much more fun when little touches like that are added.

From Facebook:

Thanks Guybrush

Best Buy USA has standard digital and deluxe digital versions available for pre-purchase on their web site. No CE. Best Buy Canada has the CE for pre-purchase on their web site.

The Guild Wars 2 Facebook page has 460k fans. For every 10k on the way to 500k they will post a new piece of art work. Right now they have a picture of Eir swimming.

Still no blog entry on Beta Event Weekend yet.

Note: the Beta Event Weekend for Guild Wars 2 will be taking place during Guild Wars: Prophecies' seventh anniversary (28th).

Thanks Guybrush, I'll take a look.

The Beta Weekend Event is Coming! - no asura or sylvari which is fine with me, I want to save those for launch

Cool!

Main site http://www.guildwars2.com/en/ now has a Beta Event Weekend countdown timer, you may have to clear the cache, shot down and reload browser to see it.

Works just fine for me Guybrush. Thanks

I had to clear cache, exist and reload to get the timer instead of the charr image.

Guild Wars 2 on the Social Media Front