Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 info keeps on comin']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/guild-wars-2-info-keeps-on-comin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/guild-wars-2-info-keeps-on-comin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/guild-wars-2-info-keeps-on-comin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sarge! Call in a hype storm!
If you're a Guild Wars 2 fan, you're used to the jarring transitions between droughts and floods of information. This week, happily, it's flood time. It's been a busy week for ArenaNet, but the team gives no signs of slowing down. After a successful press beta weekend and opening up a signup form for upcoming beta tests, ArenaNet has kept up the flow of information -- and excitement -- by gracing GuildCast with the presence of a few of its devs, clarifying some points on world vs. world in a new blog post, and setting up a Reddit Ask Me Anything session for 11:00 a.m. EST on Friday the 24th. The blog post clarifies some of the more prominent questions the community has been voicing about WvW over the last few days, while the Reddit AMA is a good chance to get in those nit-picky questions that you're still dying to get clarified (no, "can I have a beta key" should not be one of 'em).

The most important information out of all of this? Mike Ferguson put a stop to a debate that might otherwise have been endless: WvW is "wuv-wuh." You're welcome.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 info keeps on comin' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-bloggamebreaker-tvGuild-Wars-2guildcastgw2interviewjonathon-sharpMartin-Kersteinmike-fergusonmike-zMike-Zadorojnyncsoftreddit-amaFri, 24 Feb 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A closer look at Guild Wars 2 world vs. world PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/a-closer-look-at-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/a-closer-look-at-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/a-closer-look-at-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Trebuchets lob death over the battlements of Stonemist Castle, the gigantic central stronghold in the Mists.
Guild Wars 2's competitive 5-player PvP has been getting a lot of love lately. To even the score, ArenaNet has put up a blog post dedicated to the second PvP type in Guild Wars 2: world vs. world, in which three servers compete in a two-week battle for glory.

Each WvW arena is made up of four huge maps. Each map is capable of holding more than 100 players from each of three factions (servers), which means that upwards of 1,200 concurrent players will be able to get in on the large-scale action. The beauty of having three teams duking it out is that things tend to balance themselves out naturally. If one team goes beast-mode and starts making life miserable for everybody, the other two teams can naturally gang up to fight against the first.

Although lore justification might be a little tricky, in a world with as much magitech the Guild Wars universe already plays host to, it's not too hard to imagine that people from alternate versions of the same world get spat into yet another mutually accessible copy of the world, where their first inclination is (naturally) to start beating the crud out of each other.

Continue reading A closer look at Guild Wars 2 world vs. world PvP

MassivelyA closer look at Guild Wars 2 world vs. world PvP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogGuild-Wars-2guild-wars-2-previewgw2loremechanicsncsoftnewsplayer-vs-playerpvpseigethe-mistsworld-vs-worldwvwThu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet unveils the Jotun race of Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/arenanet-unveils-the-jotun-race-of-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/arenanet-unveils-the-jotun-race-of-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/arenanet-unveils-the-jotun-race-of-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jotun
Guild Wars 1 players are familiar with the Jotun race, mostly as "the giant creatures that won't stop KDing me," but they're going to have a continuing and more involved presence in Guild Wars 2, according to the ArenaNet blog.

Ree Soesbee took a close look at this race in the newest ArenaNet blog post, "The Savage Pride of the Jotun." In the post, she explains how the Jotun have essentially devolved over the years thanks to infighting: "Over the centuries of their existence, the Jotun have fallen far from their state of grace, losing command of technology and magic they once utilized, and remembering their place as kings of the land only in legend and story."

The post delves more deeply into the past and present effects of this change, then switches gears for a behind-the-scenes look at the race's creation. The full post is a good read for anyone interested in the game from a lore or development perspective.

MassivelyArenaNet unveils the Jotun race of Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogarenanet-blog-postguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2jotunncsoftraceracesree-soesbeeWed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: High achievers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/flameseeker-chronicles-high-achievers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/flameseeker-chronicles-high-achievers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/flameseeker-chronicles-high-achievers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Charr SMASH
Well, ArenaNet certainly didn't let 2011 go out on a quiet note. The team had a few last tricks up its sleeve before closing down shop until the new year. We chatted with Eric Flannum about the Guild Wars 2 Mesmer, and the newest ArenaNet blog post contained some exciting talk of combat, achievements, and some tweaking to the Thief class.

I loved hearing about the updates to the Thief and to combat because the fact that the developers are talking about fine-tuning says good things to me about the development process. However, it was the talk of achievements that really caught my attention because it's such a sweeping, game-wide system. Follow along after the jump and let's take a closer look!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: High achievers

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: High achievers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievement-pointsachievementsanetarenanetarenanet-blogeric-flannumfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2hall-of-monumentsncsofttitlesMon, 26 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: The news doors haven't shut... yet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/flameseeker-chronicles-the-news-doors-havent-shut-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/flameseeker-chronicles-the-news-doors-havent-shut-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/flameseeker-chronicles-the-news-doors-havent-shut-yet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

More news! More updates! Be still my heart! No, seriously. It does my fangirl heart such good to see all of these cool updates and details about Guild Wars 2 over the past few weeks. Between the animation updates, the skill updates, and the earnings call, there's plenty to discuss.

I was so excited to see the updated cutscenes, although I couldn't stop giggling at the male character shifting from foot to foot -- I kept waiting for him to ask the Priestess of Dwayna where the bathroom was. That's not a reflection on ArenaNet's design team so much as a testament to my years as the mother of a boy. It's all about the bathroom humor around here.

The new skill acquisition system was great in my book, and the news from the earnings call... well, why don't you follow along after the cut and we'll delve into all of that more deeply.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The news doors haven't shut... yet

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The news doors haven't shut... yet originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanimationsarenanetarenanet-blogbetacutscenesearnings-callfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesGuild-Wars-2gw2ncsoftskill-acquisitionskillsMon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 developer explains updated cinematic conversations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/guild-wars-2-developer-explains-updated-cinematic-conversations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/guild-wars-2-developer-explains-updated-cinematic-conversations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/guild-wars-2-developer-explains-updated-cinematic-conversations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 fans are starting their morning with an interesting update and some entertainment, thanks to ArenaNet's motion capture and cinematic guru Chuck Jackman. Chuck is the mind behind the newest ArenaNet blog entry, all about the recent improvements to Guild Wars 2's cinematic conversations.

The cinematic conversations in Guild Wars 2 are the brief cutscenes that take place between player characters and NPCs at significant points in the story line. Until now, players trying the demo have only seen the placeholder versions of these cinematics, which consisted of a lot of seemingly-random emotes and what Chuck describes as "some very basic lip-synch that resembled more of a duck's bill than a human's mouth."

The team has been hard at work on improvements, though, and today's blog entry unveiled two videos of the new cinematics. It's a fairly lengthy read, with plenty of explanation of everything from emotes to facial animations to voice work. If your eyes glaze over at even a hint of tech-speak, fear not. While we have our doubts about Chuck's claims of blotting out the sun and tearing code from the minds of ancient gods, it's definitely an entertaining and informative read for any gaming fan. Check out the full entry at the ArenaNet blog.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 developer explains updated cinematic conversations originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcharacter-animationcharacter-designchuck-jackmancinematic-conversationscinematicsguild-wars-2gw2motion-capturencsoftuiFri, 11 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Guild Wars 2 demo build brings changes to UI, character creation, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/new-guild-wars-2-demo-build-brings-changes-to-ui-character-crea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/new-guild-wars-2-demo-build-brings-changes-to-ui-character-crea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/new-guild-wars-2-demo-build-brings-changes-to-ui-character-crea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild Wars 2
ArenaNet has had an exciting week -- the developer is in attendance at G-Star in Korea to show off the demo of Guild Wars 2. As with any game in development, GW2 is in a constant state of change as the team continues testing and improving. G-Star attendees were treated to the very latest build, and some of the ArenaNet developers put together some information about that build for those unable to attend the convention.

Eric Flannum, joined by Character Artist Team Lead Aaron Coberly and UI Artist Vicki Ebberts, ran down the changes in the newest ArenaNet blog entry. Character customization and creation got some improvements, and Aaron provides a detailed video to show them off. Vicki talked over the new "big beefy UI" as a response to feedback the team has received, and Eric wrapped up with some exciting details about changes to skill acquisition. Weapon skills will continue to be unlocked by using the weapon, but healing, utility, and elite skills will now be unlocked with skill points. "Skill points can be acquired by undertaking what we call a skill challenge. There are 200 skill challenges in the game, and they range from defeating tough opponents, to answering riddles, to drinking a particularly potent drink."

There are many more details -- and the promise of more to come tomorrow -- at the ArenaNet blog, so head there for the full blog entry!

MassivelyNew Guild Wars 2 demo build brings changes to UI, character creation, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-coberlyanetarenanetarenanet-blogcharacter-creationdeveloper-diaryeric-flannumg-stargstarguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftskill-acquisitionskillsuivicki-ebbertsThu, 10 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[More pets, more combos, more burning: ArenaNet brings big changes to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/more-pets-more-combos-more-burning-arenanet-brings-big-change/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/more-pets-more-combos-more-burning-arenanet-brings-big-change/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/more-pets-more-combos-more-burning-arenanet-brings-big-change/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Scooby vs. Smokey. Round one: FIGHT!
If you're anything like us here at the Massively offices, you've been feeling a bit starved for Guild Wars 2 news. ArenaNet's been extremely quiet for weeks now, and just as fans were beginning to despair of hearing anything, the information gates swing wide.

The ArenaNet blog has a shiny new update courtesy of designer Jon Peters this morning, and it's a doozy. It brings all sorts of new details on pet improvements, the Engineer's big upgrade, and the ever-fascinating cross-profession combos. Follow along after the break for all the news!

Continue reading More pets, more combos, more burning: ArenaNet brings big changes to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMore pets, more combos, more burning: ArenaNet brings big changes to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcross-profession-combosengineerguild-wars-2gw2jon-petersncsoftpetsFri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overshadowed by the Charr and undervalued by all: New Guild Wars 2 blog investigates the Grawl]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/overshadowed-by-the-charr-and-undervalued-by-all-new-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/overshadowed-by-the-charr-and-undervalued-by-all-new-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/overshadowed-by-the-charr-and-undervalued-by-all-new-guild-wars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Oot. Hurr!
The Charr bully them, the Asura look down on them, and the humans see them as general-purpose bad guys who are to be farmed endlessly for their necklaces. The Grawl are the Rodney Dangerfield race of Guild Wars, but things might be looking up a tiny bit in Guild Wars 2.

At the very least, ArenaNet is giving the race some love. The latest ArenaNet blog post, Planet of the Grawl, gives fans an in-depth look at the history, society, and religion of the Grawl. The creatures haven't had much of a chance to evolve, so while fans of the current game will find them pretty familiar, we'll know them better.

Jeff Grubb is the mind behind these new details, and he describes the Grawl as a "deeply religous, shamanistic people," with religious squabbles being the source of a fair amount of their problems. He goes on to explain how the spiritual side of Grawl society works, how they interact with the rest of Tyria, and more -- even noting some of their early design iterations.

Take a look at the ArenaNet blog for the full scoop on the Grawl!

MassivelyOvershadowed by the Charr and undervalued by all: New Guild Wars 2 blog investigates the Grawl originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-bloggrawlguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2jeff-grubbncsoftracesFri, 14 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Designer Jon Peters outlines Guild Wars 2 PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/designer-jon-peters-outlines-guild-wars-2-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/designer-jon-peters-outlines-guild-wars-2-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/designer-jon-peters-outlines-guild-wars-2-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Guild Wars charr
If you've been waiting for all the details on Guild Wars 2 PvP, today is a big day for you. The PvP side of the game will be unveiled and playable at Gamescom starting today.

For those of you playing along at home (or possibly waiting for the doors to open at Gamescom), ArenaNet has a little something to distract you from the fact that you're not enjoying the hands-on right now: a brand-new blog entry from Jon Peters with a full PvP overview.

Jon outlines the different types of PvP in GW2, from casual hot join matches to high-stakes tournaments, and offers some tips for better playing. He quite literally covers PvP play from beginning to end, talking about gear, skills, and levels when you start as well as finishing moves to send your opponent off to the great beyond.

It's a typically extensive and informative entry, so head to the Guild Wars 2 site to see for yourself! For even more PvP details, check out Jonathan Sharp's new ArenaNet blog post as well.

MassivelyDesigner Jon Peters outlines Guild Wars 2 PvP originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogguild-wars-2gw2jon-petersncsoftpvpWed, 17 Aug 2011 03:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Break into the gaming industry as an ArenaNet intern]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/break-into-the-gaming-industry-as-an-arenanet-intern/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/break-into-the-gaming-industry-as-an-arenanet-intern/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/break-into-the-gaming-industry-as-an-arenanet-intern/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ArenaNet Studio
I can do that!

Budding game artists and programmers rejoice! If you have been looking for a way to break into the industry, ArenaNet is offering just that opportunity -- it is now considering applications to its 2012 Internship Program. The Class of 2012 will offer the following disciplines: Character Art, Environment Art, Technical Art/VFX, Animation, and Programming.

ArenaNet feels that "artists learn more in the first few months of a game industry job than in their entire time at art school." The focus is on "an immersive work-based educational program where intern artists work alongside professionals" to develop and hone their skills.

If accepted to the program, interns will have to relocate to the Bellevue, WA area at their own expense, but they will be paid an hourly stipend for their work as well as have the opportunity to participate in an internal educational program.

The deadline for entry into the 2012 class is September 21st, 2011. If you think you have what it takes, check out the official announcement for full details and links to each discipline's respective applications.

MassivelyBreak into the gaming industry as an ArenaNet intern originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArenaNetarenanet-blogArenaNet-internshipartgame-industryGameIndustrygaminginternshipsprogrammingTue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Guild Wars 2 blog entry talks Sylvari personality]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/new-guild-wars-2-blog-entry-talks-sylvari-personality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/new-guild-wars-2-blog-entry-talks-sylvari-personality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/new-guild-wars-2-blog-entry-talks-sylvari-personality/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

On this final day of Guild Wars 2 Sylvari Week, designer Ree Soesbee steps in for a thorough look at who the Sylvari are: their desires, personalities, and even their darker side.

Ree presents a long list of new details about the Sylvari in her post. She covers the various cycles during which Sylvari are born and how that affects who they are; some frequently asked questions about Sylvari biology; the dreaded Nightmare Court; and much more. The blog entry is also punctuated with some storytelling that serves to expand our view of the tougher, more aggressive side of the race as well as give some insight into an important figure in Sylvari culture.

Check out everything she has to say at the ArenaNet blog.

MassivelyNew Guild Wars 2 blog entry talks Sylvari personality originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogguild-wars-2gw2lorencsoftree-soesbeesylvarisylvari-weekFri, 12 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Lion's Arch unveiled]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/flameseeker-chronicles-lions-arch-unveiled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/flameseeker-chronicles-lions-arch-unveiled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/flameseeker-chronicles-lions-arch-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , ,

What a week this has been for Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 fans! ArenaNet has been doling out interviews right and left, we're expecting another class reveal soon, and the icing on the cake was a gorgeous flythrough video of Lion's Arch in Guild Wars 2.

There were some great blog entries from Matthew Medina and Ree Soesbee to go with the video, and while I loved reading those and was delighted to see the new map, there was a lot to be gleaned from the video. I loved the ambient sound, the NPCs, and the overall feel of the city, but there was much more beyond that. Follow along after the jump to see what else we can see from the video.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Lion's Arch unveiled

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Lion's Arch unveiled originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2lions-archncsoftpvpMon, 16 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 content designer goes behind the scenes of city creation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/guild-wars-2-content-designer-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-city-cre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/guild-wars-2-content-designer-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-city-cre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/guild-wars-2-content-designer-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-city-cre/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yesterday's flyover of Lion's Arch was a big hit with those anticipating Guild Wars 2, made even better with a follow-up blog post from content designer Matthew Medina.

Matthew jumped in to expand on what we saw in the video by giving an extensive look at the design process. It's an interesting combination of virtual architecture, NPC-watching, and attention to details both large and small that works to create such a detailed location. As Matthew puts it, "[W]e're infusing Lion's Arch with all the little touches that we hope will make your downtime between personal story steps and dynamic events as entertaining and immersive as possible!"

The blog post, which includes a new map of Lion's Arch, walks readers through the entire process, beginning with the foundation of a city and ending with final touches such as NPC chatter and visual details.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 content designer goes behind the scenes of city creation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-bloggame-designguild-wars-2gw2lions-archmatthew-medinancsoftThu, 12 May 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Guild Wars 2 blog post and video tours Lion's Arch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/new-guild-wars-2-blog-post-and-video-tours-lions-arch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/new-guild-wars-2-blog-post-and-video-tours-lions-arch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/new-guild-wars-2-blog-post-and-video-tours-lions-arch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lion's Arch is a familiar name to Guild Wars fans and a place that they've been anxious to see in Guild Wars 2.

It's been common knowledge for a long time that while Lion's Arch survived and is a bustling city in the Tyria of Guild Wars 2, time has taken a heavy toll. The awakening of the dragon Zhaitan and the rise of Orr caused massive flooding throughout the human lands of Kryta. When the waters receded, Lion's Arch was rebuilt.

This rebuilt version has been a mystery until now. Lore and Continuity Designer Ree Soesbee has penned a new ArenaNet blog post detailing the fall and resurrection of Lion's Arch and giving a few new details on how things are run in Guild Wars 2. Even better, the post includes a two-minute tour of Lion's Arch. Check out the video in HD after the jump, then head to the ArenaNet blog to read all about it!

Continue reading New Guild Wars 2 blog post and video tours Lion's Arch

MassivelyNew Guild Wars 2 blog post and video tours Lion's Arch originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogguild-wars-2gw2lions-archncsoftree-soesbeevideoWed, 11 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Writing the Charr: It's just plain fun to write for the bad guys]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/writing-the-charr-its-just-plain-fun-to-write-for-the-bad-guys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/writing-the-charr-its-just-plain-fun-to-write-for-the-bad-guys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/writing-the-charr-its-just-plain-fun-to-write-for-the-bad-guys/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Charr week kicked off yesterday with a look at the race's starting area in Guild Wars 2. Today ArenaNet delves much more deeply into the Charr race as writer Scott McGough delivers a treat for story and lore fanatics: a look at writing for the Charr.

This is an especially interesting read for longtime fans of Guild Wars because we've watched the Charr evolve over the years and learned more about their hierarchy, their values, their strengths, and their failings. The Charr began (in the eyes of the humans) as a formidable but lesser group of creatures to be removed from the human lands of Old Ascalon. Over time, we've learned much more about this fierce, intelligent, and strictly organized race -- even becoming allies with some of its members.

Follow along after the jump and let's take a look at the history of the Charr and how it's written into Guild Wars 2.

Continue reading Writing the Charr: It's just plain fun to write for the bad guys

MassivelyWriting the Charr: It's just plain fun to write for the bad guys originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcharrcharr-weekfeaturedguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2ncsoftracesscott-mcgoughTue, 19 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[It's a rat, it's a bat, it's Guild Wars 2's Skritt!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/its-a-rat-its-a-bat-its-guild-wars-2s-skritt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/its-a-rat-its-a-bat-its-guild-wars-2s-skritt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/its-a-rat-its-a-bat-its-guild-wars-2s-skritt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Don't call them Bat-Men, Skaven or Reepicheep; you'll address them as "Skritt" and do it with respect if you know what's good for you.

In a new ArenaNet blog post, Ree Soesbee reveals the latest Guild Wars 2 monster to plague the land: the "horribly, wickedly tricksy" Skritt. Skritt are a humanoid blend of rats and bats that live in massive colonies under the surface of Tyria, emerging to mooch and presumably harvest spoons from their victims.

One interesting fact about this race is that Skritt share intelligence in an unknown way, and the more of them that congregate the smarter they become. It's this tenacity and hive-mind that have made them mortal enemies of the Asura, who are adamant that all Skritt be wiped out.

So what prompted the creation of Guild Wars 2's Skritt? "We hadn't explored the idea of a hive-mind in our world before, but we didn't want to just repeat the old standard-an insectoid race. We went through many ideas, and eventually settled on the concept of a rattus rattus based horde. A major consideration in their creation was that this race had to challenge the asura on their own terms, but not be just another super-intelligent species."

MassivelyIt's a rat, it's a bat, it's Guild Wars 2's Skritt! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogasurabat-menbatmanguild-wars-2gw2hive-mindloremobmobsmonsterncsoftraceree-soesbeereepicheepskavenskritttyriawickedly-tricksyTue, 05 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet delves into the lore of the Guild Wars 2 Hylek race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/arenanet-delves-into-the-lore-of-the-guild-wars-2-hylek-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/arenanet-delves-into-the-lore-of-the-guild-wars-2-hylek-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/23/arenanet-delves-into-the-lore-of-the-guild-wars-2-hylek-race/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ArenaNet is moving back from gameplay details to lore information with its newest blog post, all about the story behind the Hylek race. These frog people are familiar to current Guild Wars players but not in much depth beyond "Why won't they stop hopping around and let me hit them?!"

The Hylek are a returning race in Guild Wars 2, so Eric Flannum has taken some time to delve into their story -- who they are, how the various tribes differ, where they live, and much more. The lore overview is interspersed with various quotes from Hylek leaders and even an Asura researcher who mentions the death of a colleague (no relation) from a poisoned Hylek spear wound.

The Hylek aren't a race to be taken lightly, but some of the tribes are friendlier than others, so take the time to get to know them. For the time being, check out Go Forth and Multiply on the ArenaNet blog!

MassivelyArenaNet delves into the lore of the Guild Wars 2 Hylek race originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogeric-flannumfrog-peopleguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-loregw2hyleklorencsoftWed, 23 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 developer talks combat attributes and iteration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/guild-wars-2-developer-talks-combat-attributes-and-iteration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/guild-wars-2-developer-talks-combat-attributes-and-iteration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/guild-wars-2-developer-talks-combat-attributes-and-iteration/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Game development isn't just about flashy class reveals and unveiling new screenshots -- the fine-tuning behind the scenes is just as important, if not more so.

Developer Isaiah "Izzy" Cartwright addressed this process in Guild Wars 2 development today in the newest ArenaNet blog post about attributes and iteration. Balancing these two aspects of combat, even with Guild Wars 1 combat to build upon, is a long process of trial and error as well as planning.

For example, a popular weapon choice for a Warrior character was a bow and sword combination -- a weapon set that the player could switch back and forth between as necessitated by combat. Unfortunately, the attribute system as originally created made this a hindrance, forcing the player to divide his attributes between strength and agility, creating a mediocre setup at best. This is one of several examples Izzy gave in the blog post.

ArenaNet will reveal more information at PAX later this week, but this serves as a detailed preview for those eager to know more. You can read the full story at the ArenaNet blog.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 developer talks combat attributes and iteration originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogattributescombatguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2isaiah-cartwrightiterationizzyncsoftTue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Guild Wars 2 video gives info on PAX East demo, more glimpses of the Thief]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/new-guild-wars-2-video-gives-info-on-pax-east-demo-more-glimpse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/new-guild-wars-2-video-gives-info-on-pax-east-demo-more-glimpse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/new-guild-wars-2-video-gives-info-on-pax-east-demo-more-glimpse/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Now that the cat is out of the bag regarding the Guild Wars 2 Thief, ArenaNet is opening the information doors starting with a new video and blog post today.

The video is brief -- 34 seconds total -- but packed with information. There are glimpses of at least two races of Thief characters as well as booth information for those who are eager to try the class for themselves at PAX East.

The teaser video is accompanied by a short blog post telling fans all about the great information planned for next week: "We've already told you that the guardian profession and norn race will be playable, but next week we're going to get into detail about three other major features in the new demo - crafting, our revamped attribute system, and our new profession, the thief!"

Check out the new information on ArenaNet's blog, and keep your eye on Massively all next week for the latest Guild Wars 2 news.

MassivelyNew Guild Wars 2 video gives info on PAX East demo, more glimpses of the Thief originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The second installment of Norn week has arrived to the ArenaNet blog, and it seems to be following the pattern of last week's human focus in this Guild Wars 2 series.

As with last week, day two brings us a series of voice clips to augment the short paragraphs about the Norn outlook on their surroundings. Both the text and audio both included some interesting new insights into lore that we're already familiar with. Each Guild Wars 2 race seems to have its own "dark" or "rebellious" faction -- the Sons of Svanir in this case.

There are a few mentions of this faction highlighting how the other Norn reluctantly accept its members in day to day life. Check out the full entry on ArenaNet's blog as Norn week continues!

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 Norn week continues with new voice clips originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogguild-wars-2gw2i-really-think-its-a-lot-like-shark-weekncsoftnornnorn-weekracesTue, 22 Feb 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet kicks off Guild Wars 2 Norn week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/arenanet-kicks-off-guild-wars-2-norn-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/arenanet-kicks-off-guild-wars-2-norn-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/arenanet-kicks-off-guild-wars-2-norn-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"It is a good day to hunt."

So say the Norn in Guild Wars -- they're cheerful and eager to meet challenges, and today's Norn week kickoff tells us that it's a typical attitude that will carry on in Guild Wars 2. They've been through various challenges including being driven from their homeland, but the Norn truly "project a positive attitude," according to lore and continuity designer Jeff Grubb.

This new blog entry offers a brief introduction to the Wayfarer Foothills area of Guild Wars 2 and gives a deeper look into the culture of the Norn. Players familiar with Eye of the North will recognize traits of the current race of Norn, while those unfamiliar with the game as it is now will enjoy a thorough introduction to how the race thinks and feels.

Check out the new information at ArenaNet's blog, and keep your eyes open for our review and analysis of Norn week in next Monday's Flameseeker Chronicles.

MassivelyArenaNet kicks off Guild Wars 2 Norn week originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanet-blogarenanetarenanet-blogguild-wars-2gw2is-that-anything-like-shark-weekncsoftnornnorn-weekMon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: We're only human]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/flameseeker-chronicles-were-only-human/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/flameseeker-chronicles-were-only-human/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/flameseeker-chronicles-were-only-human/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Last week was an exciting one for Guild Wars/Guild Wars 2 fans, myself included. GW2 might be bringing us five playable races, but ArenaNet spent the past week delving into the original Tyrian playable race: the humans.

This was especially exciting to those of us who are longtime residents of Tyria, because we've got lots of new details set on a foundation of familiar history and lore. Here at Massively, we touched on each new piece of information with the promise of an overall analysis today, so here we go! Follow along after the jump and we'll take a look at the human race of Guild Wars 2.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: We're only human

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: We're only human originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2humanhuman-racehumansi-bet-thats-a-mesmerncsoftracesMon, 14 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet artist talks human character design for Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/arenanet-artist-talks-human-character-design-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/arenanet-artist-talks-human-character-design-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/arenanet-artist-talks-human-character-design-for-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Human week continues for ArenaNet and eager Guild Wars 2 fans as character art lead Aaron Coberly delves into Character Art in Guild Wars 2.

Aaron covered everything involved in character design from the technical to the lore-based, explaining why overall design decisions are made as well as what technical upgrades the team is working with, but there was much more too. Some new art provided a further look at armor and clothing in Guild Wars 2 (and possibly our first look at a GW2 Mesmer). We also got some new details on how armor classes and character customization will work.

Check out the new ArenaNet blog post for yourself, and don't miss next Monday's Flameseeker Chronicles for our detailed analysis of Human Week.

MassivelyArenaNet artist talks human character design for Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-coberlyanetarenanetarenanet-blogcharacter-designguild-wars-2gw2human-weekncsoftWed, 09 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 unleashes a new demo for PAX East!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/guild-wars-2-unleashes-a-new-demo-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/guild-wars-2-unleashes-a-new-demo-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/guild-wars-2-unleashes-a-new-demo-for-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ArenaNet is always reaching beyond the players' expectations. The demo at PAX Prime received incredible reviews from most people who played it. It even turned the heads of a certain reporter who was there for another game entirely. Unfortunately, Community Manager Martin Kerstein said in a recent entry on the ArenaNet blog that the most exciting thing ANet has planned for the upcoming PAX East is the presence of Game Designer Colin Johanson. The smart-alec Kerstein followed that up with, "Oh, and in addition to Colin, we will have a brand-new Guild Wars 2 demo for you, with loads of new content." He did not elaborate on the specifics but promised to reveal that at a later date.

In addition, Lead Graphics Programmer Jim Scott has created an iPad application called Sketch Club, and ArenaNet would like to see what its fans can produce with the creative tool. This month, the team is throwing a Guild Wars 2 armor competition. Use a Guild Wars 2 character model as a start, then create the best armor you can think of with Sketch Club.

For all the information on everything ArenaNet is doing at PAX, jump to the announcement, or if you're interested in joining the GW2 Armor Compo check out the contest rules.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 unleashes a new demo for PAX East! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetarenanet-blogcolin-johansoncontestGuild-Wars-2GW2ipadjim-scottMartin-KersteinncsoftPAXPAX-eastpax-east-2012Sketch-ClubWed, 02 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What's your style? Guild Wars 2 game designer elaborates on the combat system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/whats-your-style-guild-wars-2-game-designer-elaborates-on-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/whats-your-style-guild-wars-2-game-designer-elaborates-on-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/whats-your-style-guild-wars-2-game-designer-elaborates-on-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The unusual combat system in Guild Wars 2 has been one of the hallmarks of the game for fans as development progresses. ArenaNet's commitment to breaking away from the holy trinity has been consistent, and now that we know five of the eight professions in Guild Wars 2, game designer Jon Peters is able to build on the information he gave us back in July.

The newest ArenaNet blog entry revealed several new details on combat mechanics, including an explanation of boons and how they work as well as the fact that allied targeting will not exist in GW2. There's much more to see -- this blog entry is a great read not only for Guild Wars 2 fans but for any MMO player who is interested in combat mechanics.

MassivelyWhat's your style? Guild Wars 2 game designer elaborates on the combat system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcombatcombat-mechanicsguild-wars-2gw2holy-trinityjon-petersncsoftWed, 02 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Become the bear? I already am the bear: Massively's look at the kodan of GW2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/become-the-bear-i-already-am-the-bear-massivelys-look-at-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/become-the-bear-i-already-am-the-bear-massivelys-look-at-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/become-the-bear-i-already-am-the-bear-massivelys-look-at-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

ArenaNet surprised us yesterday with a lore-heavy reveal on one of the non-playable races of Guild Wars 2: the kodan. We've known for a while of the kodan's existence and even had a few pieces of art, but until now there were hardly any details beyond that.

Yesterday changed that with a rundown on the kodan belief system, the race's view on the others who inhabit Tyria, and much more. The discussion since yesterday afternoon has been thorough, detailed, and very speculative, as is typical of the Guild Wars/Guild Wars 2 community. These great discussions combined with the lore reveal gave everyone plenty to think about: Is this guardian the BML? Does the kodan belief system have roots in Buddhism? Will we be able to explore the kodan Sanctuaries in detail?

There's much more, of course, but I wanted to explore a few key points in all of this. Read on after the break, and be sure to jump in at the end and share your own thoughts!

Continue reading Become the bear? I already am the bear: Massively's look at the kodan of GW2

MassivelyBecome the bear? I already am the bear: Massively's look at the kodan of GW2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogfeaturedguild-warsGuild-Wars-2gwgw2kodanlorencsoftracesWed, 12 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet adding seven-hero parties, new outpost to Guild Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/arenanet-adding-seven-hero-parties-new-outpost-to-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/arenanet-adding-seven-hero-parties-new-outpost-to-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/arenanet-adding-seven-hero-parties-new-outpost-to-guild-wars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The latest ArenaNet blog post is up, bringing with it the Guild Wars War in Kryta survey results and some exciting news.

One survey question regarding seven-hero parties sparked a lot of discussion in the community, and ArenaNet heard the answer loud and clear: An upcoming content update will bring the ability to fill your party with all heroes.

For those of you who love grouping, the other half of this update is for you: "We're going to be adding Embark Beach-a new Zaishen outpost that will allow players to travel to all Mission outposts (that they are eligible for!) from a single location. So if you're looking to find something to do or someone to help you out, you just have to check one convenient location. Embark Beach will be included in an upcoming feature build containing some improvements for the game."

Check out all of the survey results at the ArenaNet blog!

MassivelyArenaNet adding seven-hero parties, new outpost to Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogbreakingguild-warsgwheroesncsoftsurveywar-in-krytaMon, 18 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 designers answer player questions about armor, crafting, and Transmutation Stones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/guild-wars-2-designers-answer-player-questions-about-armor-craf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/guild-wars-2-designers-answer-player-questions-about-armor-craf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/guild-wars-2-designers-answer-player-questions-about-armor-craf/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Last week's Guild Wars 2 news got a huge community reaction. The loudest discussions came from the announcement regarding Transmutation Stones and their relation to the upcoming game's item shop.

John Hargrove and Eric Flannum answered some of the most prevalent fan questions last night in the newest ArenaNet blog post. Predictably, most of the questions centered around Transmutation Stones, but we also learn a bit more about crafting, gathering, and armor stats. While some questions remain unanswered for the time being, there are plenty of new details to pore over. Follow along after the jump as we take a look at them.

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 designers answer player questions about armor, crafting, and Transmutation Stones

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 designers answer player questions about armor, crafting, and Transmutation Stones originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogarmorcraftingeric-flannumfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2in-game-storejohn-hargrovencsofttailortransmutation-stonesThu, 07 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet blog goes behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2 cinematics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/arenanet-blog-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2-cinematics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/arenanet-blog-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2-cinematics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/arenanet-blog-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2-cinematics/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fans may not be 100% on board with everything they're hearing about Guild Wars 2 lately, but there's one thing nearly all of them can agree on: the game is gorgeous.

One of the features that has gained attention is the cinematics. We saw a couple of them at the recent Gamescom and PAX demos, and now that we've had some time to enjoy the finished product, James Boer has some stories to tell about the creation of that product.

James is the Audio and Cinematics Programmer at ArenaNet and the mind behind the latest blog post. His entry is all about the philosophy and technical work behind the creative process. While this entry is a bit heavier on the tech-speak than most of the ArenaNet blog, fans who are interested in the behind-the-scenes work of GW2 will find it a great read.

MassivelyArenaNet blog goes behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2 cinematics originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcinematicsGuild-Wars-2gw2james-boerncsoftMon, 04 Oct 2010 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet designer gives new details on armor and loot in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/arenanet-designer-gives-new-details-on-armor-and-loot-in-guild-w/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/arenanet-designer-gives-new-details-on-armor-and-loot-in-guild-w/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/arenanet-designer-gives-new-details-on-armor-and-loot-in-guild-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last night was an interesting one for Guild Wars 2 fans. A new ArenaNet blog post popped up, this one courtesy of designer John Hargrove, who had a lot to say about two of our favorite things in the game: loot and armor.

Players have been wondering how loot is going to work in Guild Wars 2 in conjunction with the karma and dynamic event systems, so it was nice to have that cleared up. Unfortunately, much of the news got lost when players almost immediately focused on a single sentence: "With the transmutation system, you'll be able to acquire new items known as Transmutation Stones through our in-game store that allow you to customize your appearance."

The player base as a whole is pretty vocal about this single sentence, but there was so much more that John had to tell us. Follow along after the jump to see what it is.

Continue reading ArenaNet designer gives new details on armor and loot in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyArenaNet designer gives new details on armor and loot in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogarmorcosmetic-itemsfeaturedguildwars-2gw2in-game-storejohn-hargrovelootncsofttransmutation-stonesFri, 01 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet wants your thoughts on Guild Wars' War in Kryta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/arenanet-wants-your-thoughts-on-guild-wars-war-in-kryta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/arenanet-wants-your-thoughts-on-guild-wars-war-in-kryta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/arenanet-wants-your-thoughts-on-guild-wars-war-in-kryta/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The War in Kryta has been over for a while and Guild Wars players have begun to look toward Cantha and Elona, wondering what's next.

Not so fast there, because ArenaNet isn't quite finished. The developers have a few things surrounding WiK that they'd like your opinion on. Did you love the royal gifts and end weapons? Did you hate having to follow a flowchart to figure out what was going on? Did you find the Mantle too overpowered at the end? ArenaNet wants to know all of this and more, so there is a short survey regarding your feelings on various aspects of the War in Kryta.

There is also a little surprise question at the end, asking how you as a player feel about a party composed of you and seven heroes. Mysterious! Check out both the blog post and the survey itself, and make your opinions known.

MassivelyArenaNet wants your thoughts on Guild Wars' War in Kryta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogdismantleguild-warsgwncsoftobeysurveywar-in-krytawikThu, 30 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: Massively's interview with Kristen Perry on the Guild Wars 2 dye system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/exclusive-massivelys-interview-with-kristen-perry-on-the-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/exclusive-massivelys-interview-with-kristen-perry-on-the-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/exclusive-massivelys-interview-with-kristen-perry-on-the-guild/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Armor fanatics unite! Our relatively small preview of the Guild Wars 2 dye system earlier this month at PAX was quite a thrill to those of us who love our Guild Wars character armor to look just right.

It was impressive to say the least -- physical vials of dye will be eliminated and the range of colors will number over 100 -- but it left us wanting to know more. Character Artist Kristen Perry is the mind behind this impressive new setup, and she's been having a ball designing it. The beauty of dye in Guild Wars 2 is that it will appeal equally to those who don't want to spend ages experimenting with dye combinations to get just the perfect look and to those who thrive on that sort of thing.

Kristen has added a brand new post to the ArenaNet blog today with all the details of the Guild Wars 2 dye system. Most of the blog entry revolves around the fact that there will no longer be the ability to mix dyes, as is possible in Guild Wars 1. But don't fret! Kristen does a wonderful job of explaining how the new system will be much better.

As an added bonus, we have a little something extra for you. Kristen was kind enough to give us an exclusive interview with even more information, as well as an exclusive screenshot to highlight the range of the new dye system.

Follow along after the jump to see what Kristen had to say about dye in Guild Wars 2.

Gallery: Guild Wars 2

Continue reading Exclusive: Massively's interview with Kristen Perry on the Guild Wars 2 dye system

MassivelyExclusive: Massively's interview with Kristen Perry on the Guild Wars 2 dye system originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogdye-systemguild-wars-2gw2interviewskristen-perryncsoftTue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet plans "PAX to the MAX"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/arenanet-plans-pax-to-the-max/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/arenanet-plans-pax-to-the-max/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/arenanet-plans-pax-to-the-max/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


PAX Prime is nearly upon us -- attendees (and Massively staffers) from all over are packing their suitcases and confirming hotel reservations, and a large part of them have Guild Wars 2 at the top of their must-see list.

The newest entry on the ArenaNet blog is what those fans have been waiting for: the PAX schedule. The list shows three busy days for ANet staffers, and plenty to do for those attending. A book signing, panel, and party at the Hard Rock Cafe combine with a series of demos and prize giveaways to fill the schedule. An important note here is that both the panel and the party require passes which can be acquired at the ArenaNet booth or through quiz show giveaways. Check out the entire list and we'll see you at PAX!

MassivelyArenaNet plans "PAX to the MAX" originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the scenes with Guild Wars 2 cinematics and demo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/behind-the-scenes-with-guild-wars-2-cinematics-and-demo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/behind-the-scenes-with-guild-wars-2-cinematics-and-demo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/behind-the-scenes-with-guild-wars-2-cinematics-and-demo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ArenaNet scheduled quite a few hands-on sessions for Guild Wars 2 at Gamescom this week, and the first reports are beginning to show up from those lucky enough to get playtime on the first day.

IGN has an overview posted with plenty of exciting new details on character creation, events, weapons, and much more. The demo included quite a few events that the writer stumbled across and a battle with an "enormous, purple, glowing dragon," presumably an unrecognized Shatterer. If you've not seen the write-up yet, it's definitely worth your time.

While you're at it, pay a visit to the ArenaNet blog as well. The crew back in Seattle is keeping busy, and there is a new blog entry with a video entitled "Creating Guild Wars 2 cinematics."

Finally, don't forget to watch for Massively's recap of the Gamescom events on Monday!

MassivelyBehind the scenes with Guild Wars 2 cinematics and demo originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcinematicsgamescomgamescom-2010guild-wars-2guild-wars-2-demogw2ignncsoftvideoWed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This game will care that you're there: Our look at the Guild Wars 2 manifesto]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/this-game-will-care-that-youre-there-our-look-at-the-guild-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/this-game-will-care-that-youre-there-our-look-at-the-guild-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/this-game-will-care-that-youre-there-our-look-at-the-guild-war/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Earlier this week, ArenaNet promised a new Guild Wars 2 video. That announcement came with a warning: no, it's not a new class reveal, and many fans were pretty disappointed. What could possibly serve as an adequate substitute for a class reveal? It's safe to say that the disappointment was blown out of the water yesterday with the unveiling of the MMO Manifesto and the Walking the Walk blog post.

Merriam-Webster defines the word manifesto as a "a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer," but when the word is used in context, there are usually strong feelings behind those intentions. Revolutionary, groundbreaking, and change are words associated with such a thing, and it was a word well-chosen by ArenaNet with this newest reveal.

Follow along after the jump as we take a closer look at what ArenaNet showed us yesterday.

Continue reading This game will care that you're there: Our look at the Guild Wars 2 manifesto

MassivelyThis game will care that you're there: Our look at the Guild Wars 2 manifesto originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcolin-johansondaniel-dociufeaturedghosts-of-ascalonguild-warsguild-wars-2gw2manifestomike-obrienncsoftree-soesbeetrailervideoWed, 11 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New ArenaNet blog post details dialogue in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/new-arenanet-blog-post-details-dialogue-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/new-arenanet-blog-post-details-dialogue-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/new-arenanet-blog-post-details-dialogue-in-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Just yesterday, we talked a bit about the fact that Guild Wars 2 fans love the small details just as much as the large ones. As we learn more and more about Guild Wars 2, so much of what is exceptional about the game is found in those little details. Attention to the little things, right down to the stitching on a ranger's armor piece, adds up to create an overall sense of immersion and depth that helps make a good game a great one.

That attention to detail comes heavily into play when the GW2 team looks at how the story is presented. Way back in May, Lead Designer Colin Johanson spoke at length about the traditional system of quests and quest text. We know that ArenaNet is actively rejecting the traditional -- and immersion breaking -- system, but what will take its place?

We got some exciting news on that very thing last night, and as always, it's all in the details. Follow along after the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading New ArenaNet blog post details dialogue in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyNew ArenaNet blog post details dialogue in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogaudiobobby-steincolin-johansondialoguefeaturedguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-audiogw2jeremy-soulencsoftvoice-overvoiceoverFri, 06 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Personality in Guild Wars 2: NPCs will give you pie]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/personality-in-guild-wars-2-npcs-will-give-you-pie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/personality-in-guild-wars-2-npcs-will-give-you-pie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/personality-in-guild-wars-2-npcs-will-give-you-pie/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Do you like pie? Do you want game NPCs to give you free pie? How about a free jar of bees? (Don't look so surprised, it's an excellent weapon.) It may sound funny, but free goodies from NPCs are all part of the personality system in Guild Wars 2.

Way back in May, ArenaNet's Ree Soesbee gave us an exciting overview of how your personal story will work in Guild Wars 2. The whole point of personal story, and dynamic events for that matter, is to make you feel that you're truly in the world and making an impact.

However, it's a bit immersion-breaking if you've been tearing around building a reputation as a centaur-slaying hero, and then you enter town to be greeted by blank stares and static dialogue from every NPC. ArenaNet thought of this too. Follow along after the jump to see how the developers have addressed this issue in the latest blog entry: Personality in Guild Wars 2.

Continue reading Personality in Guild Wars 2: NPCs will give you pie

MassivelyPersonality in Guild Wars 2: NPCs will give you pie originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcurtis-johnsonfeaturedguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftpersonal-storypersonalityree-soesbeeTue, 03 Aug 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Guilds, grind, and Gamescom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guilds-grind-and-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guilds-grind-and-gamescom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guilds-grind-and-gamescom/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thursday evening was fairly eventful for me. Thursday is our regular Massively night in Guild Wars, so [MVOP] arrived in The Wilds and began setting up for our run through the mission. We found a few players waiting for us, extended guild invites, sorted out our grouping, and off we went. We made it through the mission with only one hitch -- which I'll address in a moment -- then headed over to the Eye of the North to begin tackling the Asura storyline.

The plan was to make the full trek through Vloxen Excavations to the Asura Gate, but once we arrived at Umbral Grotto, certain party members (me) were falling asleep in their seats and had to bow out and get some rest. The plans for this week are all set, and everyone is welcome to join us.

Now, about that little hitch. We were traipsing around the jungle in The Wilds when I got an IM telling me that the level cap had been set for Guild Wars 2. What? No way. A quick check confirmed it, and my wonderful group sent me off to a safe corner to leech and knock out a quick news story while they continued the mission. They even came back to find me after I returned and demonstrated my truly dismal navigational skills, because they are wonderful like that.

The leveling and progression information was pretty big news, so there was no question that I'd look into it a bit more deeply for this week's Flameseeker Chronicles -- follow along after the jump.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guilds, grind, and Gamescom

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guilds, grind, and Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80anetarenanetarenanet-blogfeaturedgamescomgrindguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2i-want-to-go-to-gamescomisaiah-cartwrightizzylevel-caplevelingleveling-and-progressionmassively-overpoweredmvopncsoftprogressionMon, 02 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 level cap confirmed at 80]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/guild-wars-2-level-cap-confirmed-at-80/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/guild-wars-2-level-cap-confirmed-at-80/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/guild-wars-2-level-cap-confirmed-at-80/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been a huge question for months: What will be the level cap for Guild Wars 2? Eager fans have grabbed onto every piece of information looking for clues over time, and tonight Isaiah "Izzy" Cartwright, Guild Wars 2 game designer, confirmed it: the level cap will be 80.

No, hold on, there's still no grind. Grind in most games with a high level cap comes in because it takes longer to level the higher you go. In Guild Wars 2, this is not an issue, says Izzy: "Instead of taking longer and longer to reach each level, it takes about the same time to go through each level."

In short, it's still all about the content and the journey, and you won't find yourself stuck at level 60, endlessly grinding the same mob to advance. Check out the newest ArenaNet blog post for all the information.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 level cap confirmed at 80 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogbreakingdev-blogdev-diaryguild-wars-2isaiah-cartwrightizzylevellevel-caplevelingncsoftThu, 29 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST