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Guild Wars 2 Press Beta [Prepurchase Is Live]

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I remember reading on GW2 Guru that there would be specific retailers that would give you a pre-purchase box with a code for pre-ordering the game so that you would be able to pre-purchase a boxed copy.

Does anyone know if any retailers have been announced or if any retailers in Canada are doing it? It doesn't matter if it's online.

Nothing yet. We'll find out either this week or the next.
 
Is anyone interested in possibly forming a group to get people up to speed? Around 30/50? I can run a few hard mode missions from time to time or assist with something like War in Kryta.

Once grad school is over for the semester, I may just simply play all of the Winds of Change questline to finish up and see what I might need.

I would like to try for a legendary Defender of Ascalon title, but man the grind for that is annoying sometimes.
 
I can relate to that a little bit but I just stopped at 35/50. Titles are nice and you can even continue after the game releases so there's not really much of a rush.

I'm going for 35 as well, currently sitting at 30/50. I had thought that going for the Zaishen title would make things easier (+3 points for a PvP title), but it's going to cost a TON of gold to get enough keys from people since I don't play PvP much at all. So much so that investing that into specific armor/weapons would probably get me further in the HoM. We'll see...

Also trying to get a tormented weapon eventually, but the Foundry of Failed Creations continues to kick my ass even on normal. That third room just seems impossible to pull correctly... T_T. Now I know why titan gems are so much more expensive to buy from people than the others!
 
Least you guys still have your accounts, NCSoft lost mine a few years back and I lost my old CDs/CDkeys when I moved for grad school. Had to rebuy the trilogy during the last steam sale so I'm back to square 1 with no birthday pets :/
 
Least you guys still have your accounts, NCSoft lost mine a few years back and I lost my old CDs/CDkeys when I moved for grad school. Had to rebuy the trilogy during the last steam sale so I'm back to square 1 with no birthday pets :/

I'm sorry to hear that 8(. But as I've said, it's excellent on Anet's part to let us pursue points even after the release.
 
Least you guys still have your accounts, NCSoft lost mine a few years back and I lost my old CDs/CDkeys when I moved for grad school. Had to rebuy the trilogy during the last steam sale so I'm back to square 1 with no birthday pets :/

I don't have Guild Wars at all. So there's that. :)
 
I'm actually hoping for September+ release.

You monster, why would you say such a thing? ='(


Oh god, I had almost forgotten... My guild back then was small enough we needed to bring PUGs to fill in sometimes and that was always such a nightmare, even when they were in vent. Don't need to look further than this for examples of A.) how Diku-clone raiding is pretty much "pray nobody screws up" and B.) How even something as simple as "don't press any buttons" is still something people can screw up.

I don't have Guild Wars at all. So there's that. :)

I have Prophecies at least. Reading Ghosts of Ascalon and hearing some of the past history kinda makes me want to reinstall it while we wait and see some of those events. I don't remember getting very deep into the game (was still very much of a WoWhore back then) and it will be a nice distraction.
 
Just making a point that I will have an impressions/preview up for RPGSite tomorrow from my experience with the Press Beta this weekend. Hopefully I can have a discussion/answer questions in this thread.
 
I tried to spend my winter break going from 30/50 to 50/50. Decided to tackle Cart + Vanqs. Scraping for cartographer has to have been the most tedious thing I've ever done in my entire life. Needless to say, I quit trying, but at least now I know I don't want to get 50/50. Props to anyone who has that willpower.
 
I tried to spend my winter break going from 30/50 to 50/50. Decided to tackle Cart + Vanqs. Scraping for cartographer has to have been the most tedious thing I've ever done in my entire life. Needless to say, I quit trying, but at least now I know I don't want to get 50/50. Props to anyone who has that willpower.

According to a website, someone actually did it in a day. I dont' know how it's physically possible but... okay.
 
There's a cartographer map replacement file you can get that shades unexplored areas of your map so you can easily see what you need still while in the game. ANet won't ban you for it, but it's a use at your own risk thing if you somehow screw up your install of the game.

It's on the official wiki and everything.

I haven't actually used it yet, but I plan to pretty soon. I'm pretty sure it still works.
 
Oh yeah, I've used the Cart Made Easy mod. EVEN THEN, it's ridiculously boring. It's disheartening to see that I literally have to scrape almost every zone.
 
Yeah. I started out doing in the old way a long time ago but it was too much after awhile.

I hope GW2 has a better system if they have titles or achievements for unlocking the map. I disliked the way WoW did it because it was too easy IMO. It didn't really promote exploring and looking for hidden, out of the way areas. You just unlocked chunks of the map when you were in the general area.

A hybrid system that unlocked large chunks in general areas, but required you to actually explore for hidden caves and other secret areas in spots would be nice in GW2. Running along the zone line, hitting every single possible corner at multiple angles in GW1 wasn't fun.
 
I tried to spend my winter break going from 30/50 to 50/50. Decided to tackle Cart + Vanqs. Scraping for cartographer has to have been the most tedious thing I've ever done in my entire life. Needless to say, I quit trying, but at least now I know I don't want to get 50/50. Props to anyone who has that willpower.

50/50 is just insane! Having played the game on and off for years and looking closely at what I'd need to actually achieve a maxed Hall of Monuments, the time investment is crazy huge (for me, at least, and I got to 30 with fairly minimal effort... it depends on how much you've done, of course)

I think 30/50 is decently achievable for most people, which is good considering that's where the rewards end (other than titles). Even 35 isn't quite that bad. Once you get past about 35-40 you get into needing a LOT of maxed titles to continue getting anywhere in the HoM, which just gets unsustainable for me from a "time-spent" point of view.

It also depends a bit on luck too IMO; what kind of drops/gifts you can randomly get that other people want. My friend managed to open an everlasting destroyer tonic on his main character that sold for about 80 ectos (maybe more I can't recall exactly) which skyrocketed his progress toward the 3 point Zaishen title.
 
As someone who barely played Guild Wars, how hard would it be for me to reach 30/50 with just Prophecies and Eye of the North?

I am tempted to buy Eye of the North and get some of the items while introducing myself to the world and the lore. After reading some threads on it, I am still not sure how much of a grindfest 30/50 will turn out to be and if it is actually possible to solo while experiencing the story.
 
50/50 is just insane! Having played the game on and off for years and looking closely at what I'd need to actually achieve a maxed Hall of Monuments, the time investment is crazy huge (for me, at least, and I got to 30 with fairly minimal effort... it depends on how much you've done, of course)

I think 30/50 is decently achievable for most people, which is good considering that's where the rewards end (other than titles). Even 35 isn't quite that bad. Once you get past about 35-40 you get into needing a LOT of maxed titles to continue getting anywhere in the HoM, which just gets unsustainable for me from a "time-spent" point of view.

It also depends a bit on luck too IMO; what kind of drops/gifts you can randomly get that other people want. My friend managed to open an everlasting destroyer tonic on his main character that sold for about 80 ectos (maybe more I can't recall exactly) which skyrocketed his progress toward the 3 point Zaishen title.
Yeah, the most time-consuming things are definitely the titles. It's pretty ridiculous that 5 max titles translates to 1 measly HoM point. Just the idea that getting Legendary Cart is only 4/5 of a HoM point is mind-boggling.

As someone who barely played Guild Wars, how hard would it be for me to reach 30/50 with just Prophecies and Eye of the North?

I am tempted to buy Eye of the North and get some of the items while introducing myself to the world and the lore. After reading some threads on it, I am still not sure how much of a grindfest 30/50 will turn out to be and if it is actually possible to solo while experiencing the story.
Unfortunately, it would be pretty difficult without the other two campaigns. You could get 3 or 4 minipet points, depending on how much "barely played" is. You could get 3 companion points pretty easily. You'd get 3 honor points just by default. Armor would be difficult for you. Not only can it be quite pricey, but the armor sets that give extra points are crafted in the other campaigns. (Obby is probably out of your reach.) Finally, you can get like 2 Oppressor weapons by doing War in Kryta, but it can be time consuming. The other weapons are likely to be out of your reach, money-wise.

Here is the calculator.
 
As someone who barely played Guild Wars, how hard would it be for me to reach 30/50 with just Prophecies and Eye of the North?

I am tempted to buy Eye of the North and get some of the items while introducing myself to the world and the lore. After reading some threads on it, I am still not sure how much of a grindfest 30/50 will turn out to be and if it is actually possible to solo while experiencing the story.

Pretty damn hard, but it wouldn't be at all hard to just get like 5 points or something and that'll give you all the armor.
 
According to a website, someone actually did it in a day. I dont' know how it's physically possible but... okay.

If you have a lot of bank, a good reference map/text mod, and an inhuman amount of endurance and attention span length, then I could see someone Cart'ing all the titles in twenty four hours.
 
Just making a point that I will have an impressions/preview up for RPGSite tomorrow from my experience with the Press Beta this weekend. Hopefully I can have a discussion/answer questions in this thread.

At which time can we expect your impression to go up :O?
 
Finally started to watch season 1 of Game of Thrones. Pretty much been a marathon yesterday and today.

Now I'm pissed I don't have GW2 to play. I need a fantasy fix and a mmo world to explore and kick ass in groups. :(
 
Embargo doesn't end midnight US time. Just so you know. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to disclose the specific time....

At which time can we expect your impression to go up :O?

I'm not sure when my editors will put it up but I'm writing it as I speak so... yeah.
 
Finally started to watch season 1 of Game of Thrones. Pretty much been a marathon yesterday and today.

Now I'm pissed I don't have GW2 to play. I need a fantasy fix and a mmo world to explore and kick ass in groups. :(

Yeah, Season 2 starts next week too. Here's hoping GRRM doesn't choke on a cheeze doodle or something before he wraps up the series.

Embargo doesn't end midnight US time. Just so you know. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to disclose the specific time....

That's fine, don't risk your access. News is coming tomorrow, that's all we really need to know.
 
Embargo doesn't end midnight US time. Just so you know. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to disclose the specific time....



I'm not sure when my editors will put it up but I'm writing it as I speak so... yeah.

I just saw someone on Reddit say it was up at 3 PM central tomorrow, I think? Or 15 CET was the direct quote? Not sure.
 
Here's a nice recent Reddit review of the beta.

This is the first positive review I read that seemed well thought-out and balanced. It's the first one I feel isn't overly hyped, and it's definitely made me feel a lot better about the game. I especially liked the bits about combat and AI. The variations in enemy mobs sounds like the natural evolution of how it worked in GW1. Finally, one really interesting point was that ANet was actually balancing and fixing things as the beta continued. Overall, it is a nice, meaty read.
 
Here's a nice recent Reddit review of the beta.

This is the first positive review I read that seemed well thought-out and balanced. It's the first one I feel isn't overly hyped, and it's definitely made me feel a lot better about the game. I especially liked the bits about combat and AI. The variations in enemy mobs sounds like the natural evolution of how it worked in GW1. Finally, one really interesting point was that ANet was actually balancing and fixing things as the beta continued. Overall, it is a nice, meaty read.

Uhh... NDA much? come one people! What the hell....

What about the public one?

I'm not sure.
 
Uhh... NDA much? come one people! What the hell....
People have been linking impressions for a while, dunno what your problem is with me. I'm not in the beta either; I'm not bound by an NDA to share info.

That review is overly positive. That's really all I can say, besides that I disagree with a lot of his assessments.
I thought it was very positive, but it didn't feel overhyped or exaggerated. I've been very cautiously skeptical throughout the past week or so, but I really liked the way he presented this review. But of course, YMMV.
 
That review is overly positive. That's really all I can say, besides that I disagree with a lot of his assessments.

Honestly it read like a typical poster/blogger. Not a very skilled writer either... He just expresses his feelings with nothing on explaining why or explaining his thoughts about the game. Meh...

People have been linking impressions for a while, dunno what your problem is with me. I'm not in the beta either; I'm not bound by an NDA to share info.

I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about the person that wrote that post on reddit.
 
Ah, sorry then. Well, it's the only thing us non-beta people get. I'm surprised there are only a handful of impressions out of the supposed 40k entrants.

Most of them probably want to make sure they don't screw themselves out of further access or their ArenaNet accounts. That's why we've seen lots of doom-and-gloom "GW2 sucks" leaks and very few positive ones; the people who don't like the game don't care if they lose access or not.
 
Most of them probably want to make sure they don't screw themselves out of further access or their ArenaNet accounts. That's why we've seen lots of doom-and-gloom "GW2 sucks" leaks and very few positive ones; the people who don't like the game don't care if they lose access or not.

I see psychology is your strong suit. Anyway, I'm hoping for some more interactions tomorrow in this thread. I'm writing the preview and there's no way I can cover everything that I did.
 
I see psychology is your strong suit. Anyway, I'm hoping for some more interactions tomorrow in this thread. I'm writing the preview and there's no way I can cover everything that I did.

I dunno about that, seems like logic to me; people who love the game won't risk future access to it, people who hate it (whether they didn't like what they played or they went into it with bias) are more than happy to rip it down because they don't care.

And yeah, if you're willing to answer questions, prepare to get your brain picked tomorrow.
 
I dunno about that, seems like logic to me; people who love the game won't risk future access to it, people who hate it (whether they didn't like what they played or they went into it with bias) are more than happy to rip it down because they don't care.

And yeah, if you're willing to answer questions, prepare to get your brain picked tomorrow.

That takes a level of psychology since you have to understand why they're doing that. Psychology sometimes is logical but on a more human psychosis level. Anyway, I'm looking forward to tomorrow since I don't know how many press beta people are willing to discuss on GAF.
 
I see psychology is your strong suit. Anyway, I'm hoping for some more interactions tomorrow in this thread. I'm writing the preview and there's no way I can cover everything that I did.

You will probably hear us link it on the podcast tomorrow (which I think will be live) :)
 
You will probably hear us link it on the podcast tomorrow (which I think will be live) :)

I'm so lost by that statement. No antecedents... Link what? and what podcast? and who's us? Sorry. Just really confused.

Also, do you mind if I join in on the live podcast?


I don't think we had too many, you may be the only one. Prepare to be spammed.

Shiz.... Meh. For the good of the public.
 
I'm so lost by that statement. No antecedents... Link what? and what podcast? and who's us? Sorry. Just really confused.

Also, do you mind if I join in on the live podcast?

A couple pages back, I announced I was doing a podcast.

The staff on the podcast are:

Host: Maxrpg (ashodin)
Staff: (in alphabetical order)

Arken
Brett
Grizz
Jira
Max
Retro

If you'd like to be a guest, that would be fine by me. You could give us more detailed press beta information. You'll have to PM arken for the mumble server, that's what we use to talk on.
 
A couple pages back, I announced I was doing a podcast.

The staff on the podcast are:

Host: Maxrpg (ashodin)
Staff: (in alphabetical order)

Arken
Brett
Grizz
Jira
Max
Retro

If you'd like to be a guest, that would be fine by me. You could give us more detailed press beta information. You'll have to PM arken for the mumble server, that's what we use to talk on.

Ugh, I can't find the host. Are we using the GAF mumble? if so I already have the info. Secondly, what time are we doing this? I'm in Texas if that helps.
 
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