It is by no means a secret that Blizzard are preparing to launch MoP in approximately ten days from now. How does this affect GW2?
Well for one I am positive that at least 40% of those who purchased GW2 will “go back” to World of Warcraft within two weeks, and there is no indication that MoP will fail. Let me explain. The main reasons WoW players bought Guild Wars was that:
a) GW2 would possibly become the best PvP MMO (as it was hyped up).
b) They needed a break/were bored. GW2 was a nice distraction.
c) WoW has been in a “game-over” state for a while.
d) They wanted a completely new game.
And I can tell you this game has not delivered more than being a “nice distraction”.
Most other games which were supposed to “kill WoW” usually died within a year. However the initial process was set in motion earlier, rougly 1-2 months post launch.
The first two months are critical for any launched game. Even though the reasons why games fail differ, there is always a common factor. Those factors being unorthodox gameplay and poor setup.
Although out-of-the-box thinking IS needed to evolve games, there are lines that cannot be crossed and there are things that cannot be compromised. For example eyecandy (the stunning graphics) or a dodge system, cannot be compromised with awkward movement or choppy combat. Those are basic things that needs to be smooth before graphics and such even matter.
I embrace and appreciate the freedom in GW2 to do anything anywhere anyhow i want, to not being pigeonholed into certain things. However the competitive bit in GW2 is not up to scratch, by any stretch.
This game’s strengths are casual Mass PvP, exploration, sandbox layout, socialising.
Unfortunately it cannot compete with WoW, and the 50€ leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Come at me.
