In MMOs, expansions like the one for Guild Wars 2 are a reason for many players to check back in. Does that apply to you too?
Times have changed, every statistic says so: While MMO players used to be monogamous, forever tied to a single MMO, they now hop from game to game. Therefore, big companies are competing fiercely in the race for the fleeting attention of players.
Currently, it is Guild Wars 2’s turn: With the new expansion “Heart of Thorns”, they are vying for the attention of the masses. Aiming to win back some former players, they have dressed up especially nice.
For us, the question is: How do expansions or major changes affect you as a player? Do you take this as an opportunity to drop by for the big event in this specific MMO? Do you enjoy the chaos when there is so much happening? Or do you prefer it quieter and come by during “non-peak times” out of fear of lag and bugs?
Or do you not care about such dates at all because you say: I played that once! That time is over! It doesn’t matter anymore?
And particularly interesting for us: How is it now with Guild Wars 2?
In theory, such big events are often nicer than in reality
Schuhmann says: For me, it is the case that it is always more wonderful in the “theory” than at the actual moment. Because even if I look forward to an “event” for weeks, whether it is a WoW expansion, TESO launch, WildStar reboot, or the GW2 expansion today: I always forget about the numerous problems that come with such a mass influx. And then I sit there, staring at patch bars, load screens, queues. Or I actually log in and the lag ruins all my fun. Then my enthusiasm quickly fades and I put it away for a week.
But as annoying as that is in the moment: Exactly these “I’m just sitting here waiting” phases will likely be erased from memory and won’t stick. So that the next time, I sit down at exactly 6:00 AM again, because that is when the servers on the East Coast go live. And suddenly, at 6:01 AM, the realization hits me unexpectedly: “Ohhhh … that’s right … Login server crash, that always happens at the start of an MMORPG!”
Such a “significant experience” definitely sparks my interest because I still remember the early days as “super exciting and thrilling” – just like the early days of my first MMO, Dark Age of Camelot. I have more memories of the first 6 weeks of that time than of the many months that followed. And also the expansions, when suddenly you meet many old acquaintances and see each other, exchange ideas, and chat about personal stuff – that is a wonderful time!
Sounds great in theory and memory. In practice, I still rarely experience this but prefer to start a week later when the worst is over.
What do you think? What do you think of such major events like launches, reboots or expansions? And does Guild Wars 2 currently excite you?
