Guild Wars 2 | Cheerful Ghost

Guild Wars 2 Is Now Totally Free To Play

Arena.net just let loose Guild Wars 2 for free for everyone. This is totally awesome, but why? PCGamer recently asked and I thought the response was interesting.

""We believe that if people love Guild wars 2, they’re gonna buy the expansion pack," O'Brien says when I ask why ArenaNet is doing this. "The expansion pack is such a great value. There’s so much content, not only in the expansion pack but in all the free updates that will come past that." While Guild Wars 2 is now free, it won't receive future content updates—including the newly announced raids. Those are earmarked for Heart of Thorns, which will essentially become the live version of the game"

If you haven't... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 09/02/2015 at 04:32am

Well darn. I say that because I paid for it, but I got it at a really great deal, so I don't really have much room to complain. I wonder how much the expansion is going to cost.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/02/2015 at 04:53am

They have a range of pre-purchase options for Heart of Thorns starting at $50 and finally ending up at $100.

http://buy.guildwars2.com/store/gw2/en_US/html/pbPage.heartofthorns?cid=91:5::::Global:166:::

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 09/02/2015 at 05:28am

Wow! $50-100 for an expansion? No wonder they went "free-to-play." It's been a while since I've played and I didn't get as hooked as Travis. I might play again some day, I'm not sure when. Right now I don't really see the point in buying an expansion, because I haven't fully explored what I paid for. So, maybe a time will come when I decide I want to buy an expansion, but that probably won't be for a while.

Now if only we could get Square-Enix to go free-to-play with Final Fantasy XI.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 09/02/2015 at 10:20pm

I think I just found something to do this Labor Day weekend when the wife and kid are out school shopping :)

Travis Admin wrote on 09/02/2015 at 10:30pm

Free-to-play accounts are hampered in a few ways to prevent spammers/botters/sellers, so your already purchased version is better than what free accounts have.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/02/2015 at 10:30pm

(and also to make them money by people upgrading, of course)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/02/2015 at 10:44pm

Do you have a link to the freemium restrictions? I'd love to see if they get lifted at some point or are FOREVER locked.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/02/2015 at 10:48pm

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/play-for-free-today/

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/02/2015 at 11:02pm

Awesome, i'll update the post with that link thanks. That said, I don't think this is to prevent botting/spamming but I also don't find it unreasonable either:

"First, free accounts start with fewer character slots and bag slots than the paid version of the game. But they still get the full complement of slots as soon as they buy Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns."

The rest of the restrictions are totally reasonable and if someone wants them lifted, buy full. I think I bought in when the game was $10 and even though it's free now I still think I got a good deal.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/02/2015 at 11:04pm

Some of them are. The lack of map chat, the inability to send gold, and the inability to go outside of certain areas until you get to a certain level are definitely to prevent spam and abuse/trolling. The item restrictions are just to give people a bigger incentive to upgrade or buy the expansion.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 09/03/2015 at 01:40am

Well freemium limitations makes me feel good that I paid for the game and therefore have none of those restrictions. Being able to remove them by paying for the expansion seems like a good way to get people to buy. I can only imagine and assume that the price of the expansion means a lot of quality content. But, I'm afraid that since I've only just begun (as of a few months ago) and haven't really progressed very deep into the game, that I still wouldn't really see anything from the expansion for a while. I hope that makes sense. I guess I'm kind of envisioning the expansion like the FFXI ones, which I have, but never even really accessed, especially because I was only just beginning. I didn't play very long either.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/03/2015 at 03:40am

Yeah there's not much point in buying it til you're max level.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 09/03/2015 at 04:09am

I'm not sure what level my one character is, but I believe it's over 10. I still feel like a newb in the game. I still don't think I've decided whether or not I'm into it. So yeah, right now I'm not interested in the expansion, but maybe I will be in the future.

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Try Guild Wars 2 Free This Weekend

I have been wanting to try Guild Wars 2 for some time and this weekend i'll get my chance. Guild Wars 2 will be free this weekend starting this coming Friday @ 12:01 AM and ending at 11:59 PM PDT on Sunday.

If you are thinking of checking the game out, let me know and we can try and create characters on the same server. I created an event for people to join so if you are thinking about checking it out, join the event and add it to your calendar!

Register for the free here:

https://register.guildwars2.com/trial?cid=7:5:HomepageBanner:Static:1292x444:Global:40:4:

Join the CG event here:

http://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/events/38

Hello guys! Ive been playing some more guild wars 2 and

Hello guys! I've been playing some more guild wars 2 and became interested in collecting the mini pet items that are in the game. My current collection is shown above. I have 6 of the 54 mini pets that are in the game. My current ones are:

Hylek Nahualli(Fine)
Seraph Heavy Guard(Fine)
Vampire Bat(Rare)
Devourer(Fine)
Frost Troll(Masterwork)
Dredge Excavator(Fine)

I'm curious how many of you actually collect these mini pets. If you do collect them, feel free to list yours. Also, if you see any pets that you would like to trade for, go ahead and ask. Just make sure you have a good deal in mind.

On a side note, if any of you are looking for some people to play with, I am going... Read All

Tungsten wrote on 09/13/2012 at 10:15pm

Grrr... I'm going to have to get this game. I love cosmetic useless collectables.

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/13/2012 at 11:26pm

It's a great game. Plus, its one of the only mmorpg games that you don't have to pay monthly. It's just a one time fee.

Also, the mini pets can be purchased in 3 packs for real money, or you can buy them with in game gold/silver from other players. It makes it very easy to find the pets you want.

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/13/2012 at 11:35pm

I forgot to say that you can also collect materials and other things in the game. The pets are just one of the many things you can collect. There are many different categories in the collectibles bank tab. Most of the other collectibles are things like all the ores and crafting materials in the game. It really makes collecting easy and fun with the whole separate menu dedicated to it. You can also just use it to store a lot of your items and since they go in specific slots, it is really easy to find them.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/14/2012 at 02:52am

Yeah, I am going to cave at some point and Pick this up too. It looks so good and so far everything I've heard has been great!

Axel_Mller wrote on 09/16/2012 at 10:57pm

If you guys ever need someone to play with, just add me. My name is AxelMiller ingame.

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What can I say about this game, except for the fact that I

What can I say about this game, except for the fact that I haven't stopped playing it. Its such a fun and addicting game. It's by far the best mmorpg that I've ever played in my life. The PvE is exciting, the PvP is extremely well made, the world events are challenging and the main story is very interesting.

Right now, if I had to recommend one game to the entire world, it would be this. I am so glad I bought this game. I've had so much fun with it.

Did I mention that it also looks AMAZING? The world is so greatly developed. They encourage exploration and wandering around with things called vistas, which are usually hard to reach places that are high up and require a bit... Read All

Tungsten wrote on 09/06/2012 at 12:34am

I played the first. I don't really have time for an mmoprg right now (although Diablo is getting close...), but if I did this is probably where I'd go.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/06/2012 at 01:19am

Heard great things about GW2 from a bunch of people at PAX. It seemed to be the hot MMO right now with the crowd I spoke to(outside a panel on MMO's).

That screen grab is fun, how did that all happen?

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/06/2012 at 01:39am

There was a mission in which you could pick up chickens, and when I did, he grew 3x in size. I thought it was screen cap worthy considering my character's name is Cluckles. Not to mention I love chickens.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/06/2012 at 01:51am

Cluckles... Well done sir!

Oh and a tip I want to pass on... If you ever should play Skyrim, don't ever hit a Chicken. Sounds funny and I sort of thought it would be link Link to the Past and they would swarm you and back off after a few seconds.

Nope, nope, nope.

http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Chicken

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/06/2012 at 03:08am

Nope, you just get attacked by everyone in town. haha.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/06/2012 at 03:50am

Yes you do. Apparently everyone thinks you are some kind of killer for doing it.

I told my wife and she was like "Good, they should attack you for hitting that poor chicken!" :D

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/06/2012 at 11:40am

I agree with her, chickens are just poor defenseless creatures that deserve better >:(

haha, I'm just waiting for the mod that allows me to ride a giant chicken mount.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/06/2012 at 02:06pm

Chicken mount would be great.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 09/06/2012 at 09:14pm

Dude, chicken mounts have been done before: http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Chocobo

:P

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/06/2012 at 10:28pm

Yeah, but technically those are chocobos, not chickens. Plus, there are no chicken mounts in skyrim or guild wars 2.

Tungsten wrote on 09/06/2012 at 11:58pm

did you check the Nexus? I would be surprised if there is no chicken mount.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/07/2012 at 03:13am

Internet to the rescue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XlGWweWeo4

Looks like fun.

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/07/2012 at 08:16pm

Ah yes, I do remember seeing that video. Although, I don't believe he released it.

Also, it has been awhile since the last time I played skyrim but last time I checked the nexus they did not have a chicken mount mod. There might be one now but I haven't played skyrim very much lately so I haven't really checked. Sleeping dogs and Guild wars 2 takes up all my free time.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/08/2012 at 12:07am

Are there more mods on the Nexus than the Steam Workshop?

Tungsten wrote on 09/08/2012 at 01:15am

Probably. A lot of the modders don't like the Steam Workshop EULA (it gives them rights to the mod), so they prefer to only post their mods on the Nexus.

A quick estimate puts 16,000 files on the Nexus. Now, many of these are absolute crap, but many are really good.

The Nexus Mod tool that the site uses is better in many ways than the Workshop Tool, but you can use both at the same time. I always loaded my favorite mods in the Workshop, experimental mods and the 3 or 4 that I had to have but the Workshop didn't support ended up working under the Nexus.

BR Supporter Post Author wrote on 09/08/2012 at 02:45am

Yeah, most of the more major game changing mods are on the nexus. If you like small random mods, the workshop is probably fine for that.

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/08/2012 at 06:15pm

OK ill checkout the Nexus then, thanks!

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Oh Guild Wars 2, it has been a long beta weekend. Such a

Oh Guild Wars 2, it has been a long beta weekend. Such a laggy weekend indeed! With the pre-purchase (notice I didn't say pre-order) of GW2 it gave us access to a beta weekend starting on Friday and ending Sunday. I made preparations with some old gaming friends and jumped in this weekend. I hope you enjoy my thoughts.

First off, the game is beautiful. NCSoft has a stellar art department and their stylized art direction is consistent throughout the game thus far. Most quests have an audible cutscene to depict the situation at hand. Definitely blows reading a wall of text out of the water.

Each race has its own starting area and they feel very different. Even though I... Read All Oh Guild Wars 2, it has been a long beta weekend. Such a laggy weekend indeed! With the pre-purchase (notice I didn't say pre-order) of GW2 it gave us access to a beta weekend starting on Friday and ending Sunday. I made preparations with some old gaming friends and jumped in this weekend. I hope you enjoy my thoughts.

First off, the game is beautiful. NCSoft has a stellar art department and their stylized art direction is consistent throughout the game thus far. Most quests have an audible cutscene to depict the situation at hand. Definitely blows reading a wall of text out of the water.

Each race has its own starting area and they feel very different. Even though I wasn't very drawn in I'll give them credit for making each race feel very distinct. We got to play the Charr, Human and Norn races this weekend. The Norn are very nature focused, revering the spirits of the animals and the spirit world that only shaman can travel into. They are large too, I was towering over my Human friends. The Humans are exactly wat you would expect, homeland lost they fight on with unwavering spirit. Nothing too special here but the female characters are really beautiful. Lastly I tried the Charr as I wasn't very excited for them. I think they have the strongest story in the beginning. They are singularly focused on their militaristic lives. I was impressed that their gritty and visceral heritage played well into their storyline.

I played Guild Wars 1 quite a bit and have fond memories of that game. Though the characters and story are easily recognizable, not much is the same. Everywhere you run there's a "dymanic quest" which doesn't feel dynamic at all. If you ever played Warhammer Online you remember the public quest system. Well, this is public quest of steroids. The quests became so repetitive and boring I actually started avoiding them.

PVP is something I participated in quite a bit. I played a battleground, which almost put me to sleep, but I kept coming back to WvWvW. That stands for World vs World vs World if you were wondering. In a 4 continent battle putting 3 servers against one another in a very long battle of taking and holding objectives, WvW can be a blast! At times it becomes mindless as you run around in huge groups zerging each other. You will quickly find out that melee is painful, being on the front lines means getting focused pretty hard. Even on my warrior I was mostly using a rifle in combat. There is much less mindless auto-attacking as you need to use skills, dodge attacks and projectiles and revive teammates. The biggest problem I faced was being unable to melee enemies in certain situations due to so much server lag.

All in all it was a fun weekend. Beta's aren't meant to be perfect and this was sure was not. Lots of disconnects, lag and bugs to report. I hope the feedback makes the release a better product. After waiting so long for this title I am a little disappointed. I miss some of the simplicity from the original Guild Wars. Now we can jump in a persistent world, but that doesn't make up for some of the best balanced collaborative PVP I ever played in the original.

jdodson Admin wrote on 04/30/2012 at 12:02am

Do you see yourself playing this very much after launch?

What did your friends think of the beta weekend?

Tungsten wrote on 04/30/2012 at 12:38am

I played a lot of the first one, but never really got involved. For someone who has a problem computing to a subscription, the guild wars series definitely appeals to me. I'm glad to hear they fleshed out the char, they were prettycool in the first game.I had high hopes for the dynamic quests - so I house they fine time that to make it less obnoxious.

Tungsten wrote on 04/30/2012 at 12:39am

Stupid phone keyboard

Chowda Post Author wrote on 04/30/2012 at 04:33am

I will play at launch since I pre-purchased it. But I am no where near as excited as I was.

Just asked my friend his opinion. He said he liked the beta, but was unsure of the WvWvW. He thought he would have liked it best and was unsure he would want to do it much at launch. Maybe it'll get better when we can level and get better gear.

jdodson Admin wrote on 04/30/2012 at 05:30am

I hope so. Would you recommend picking up the old game? I never got it and maybe it's worth playing?

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