The MMORPG Guild Wars 2 has faced several issues particularly in the last year. Nonetheless, it is still expected to be developed long-term, as a 3rd expansion titled “End of Dragons” has been announced. However, this must deliver some content to convince users, according to our author Alexander Leitsch.
Update August 26: In the meantime, the name and a first trailer for the “End of Dragons” expansion have been released. You can find more details here.
What is the current situation of GW2? The MMORPG by ArenaNet is in a very mixed position as of early 2020.
Last year there were mass layoffs, content droughts, and the main heads of the game left the studio. 2019 was the toughest year for the studio, an developer admitted.
On the other hand, there are regular monthly updates that have been released since September, including:
- 3 episodes of the Living World
- A massive story update with new armors and weapons
- A large PvP and balance update
- 3 festivals that even received useful updates
- An April Fools, which players reacted very positively to
Additionally, there was a roadmap for each quarter and a third expansion was announced.
Why is the expansion so important? Although there is no release timeframe for the new expansion yet, many players hope that the MMORPG will continue for a long time.
Moreover, expansions have consistently brought back both new and old players to Guild Wars 2 and have also led to better revenues. Therefore, a successful release is just as important for the studio as it is for the players.
But what does the expansion need to be truly successful? I will now share my point of view on this.
Elite Specializations or a New Class
What does this mean? The two previous expansions, Heart of Thorns and Path of Fire, both offered new specializations. These involve traits and skills that enhance each class with a new playstyle.
The Ranger, for instance, became a Druid and learned useful buff and healing skills. The Elementalist, on the other hand, became a Weaver and could weave together multiple elements to create new skills.
Heart of Thorns also introduced a new class, the Revenant. This class utilized the skills and unique traits of already defeated heroes or villains from the past.
What do I wish for? MMORPG players are used to using the same classes and skills for years. Still, fresh changes are important.
I have looked forward to discovering a new aspect of my Ranger in every expansion. Leveling and learning a new class has also been a lot of fun.
I personally think a new kind of progression would be cool. I would wish for them to introduce 2-3 completely new weapons into the game and distribute them across the various classes. This would have several advantages:
- Each class would receive new skills, even though it would break the old pattern.
- There could be tons of new skins in the game, from simple weapons to completely crazy designs.
- It would provide some equipment progress, because a new weapon would have to be crafted at the highest level initially, not counting the Legendaries.
If ArenaNet doesn’t introduce expansions to the class system, then even new content might end up feeling similar. Additionally, they have set expectations with the last two add-ons that would otherwise be disappointed. Hence, class progress is a must for any expansion.
Group Content
What does this mean? By group content, I refer to dungeons, fractals, and raids, that is, instances, but also tasks in the open world. Especially in Guild Wars 2, world bosses and large meta-events are very popular.
A highlight for many players even today is a run in the Dragon’s Stand. The entire map revolves around the fight against an Elder Dragon, which you undertake with at least 60 other players. It is a breathtaking feeling, especially the first time.
However, hardcore content should not be completely neglected either.
Why is this important? While the story can usually be completed solo and quite quickly, it is precisely these group contents that offer long-term tasks, provided they are designed correctly.
With the right challenges and rewards, they ensure that veterans spend weeks or months with them, rather than just speeding through the content in a couple of hours.
Therefore, I wish for at least one area like the Dragon’s Stand, where we have a large, rewarding meta-event with special skins from start to finish. And new raids would, of course, be great.
A New, Coherent Story
What does this mean? In the third expansion, we will likely be heading to Cantha, a continent from Guild Wars 1. Personally, I do not like that, as the current lore isolates the continent from all non-human beings. However, this can certainly be rewritten.
What is much more important to me here is that we do not receive an incomplete story, as was the case with both previous expansions. Although they always had a beginning and an end, it was noticeable that content was cut in the middle that was originally meant to be included.
What do I wish for? An expansion usually tells a story arc that should have an ending, even if it is a little more open and leaves room for a continuation.
As a lore fan, it is difficult for me when a story does not make sense or is not completed in an expansion. This dampens my enjoyment of the entire expansion.
Therefore, I wish not only for a clean transition to the story arc after Cantha, but also a clear and meaningful story for the expansion itself.
Not Just Fan Service
What does this mean? The Path of Fire expansion already took us into the Crystal Desert and Elona, two regions that were already playable in Guild Wars 1.
Many Easter eggs were embedded there to excite the players of the predecessor. However, some of the stories told were quite strange, like the encounter with Kormir, which many felt unnecessary.
Some of it was purely service for the fans of the first part.
What do I wish for? If we are going to travel to Cantha, then the continent should have changed significantly. Isolated Easter eggs and recognition of special places are certainly welcome.
However, 250 years, a strict government, and the unification of all human tribes should have left their mark. And I do not want to suddenly encounter old characters who should have been long dead, right, Koss?
Something Unique
What does this mean? This point is personally the most important to me. Each expansion needs something unique:
- Heart of Thorns introduced masteries. They provided vertical progression in the form of gliding, jumping mushrooms, new languages, and rewards.
- Path of Fire utilized the system to introduce various mounts.
Now, the third expansion also needs something that serves as a unique attribute, a reason for every (former) player to consider the purchase.
What do I wish for? This question is a bit more complicated, as it is not so easy to find unique selling points:
- Some players hope that the Tengus (bird-people, see title image) will become a playable race. I do not share this wish, but I understand the idea behind it.
- Others hope for a proper housing system, which certainly has its appeal.
- I would personally wish for a solo PvE content that becomes increasingly difficult. Perhaps a trial that scales infinitely and where I can challenge myself until I reach my limits, combined with daily or monthly achievements.
Honestly, I don’t really care what it is. I just hope it keeps me engaged long-term and brings some fresh wind into Guild Wars 2.
