ArenaNet:In-game talk/20070317

Summary

 * PC Gamer out on Thursday.
 * Name changing hard to implement.
 * More information on hard mode on Monday.
 * Lucky weekend is not an event and no hat will be rewarded.
 * No information on hair dressers, storage or vote-kicking.
 * Pet controls are in testing, some bow attacks might get updates.
 * Death leveling will not be removed.

Complete log
Gaile Gray: Top o' the Afternoon to you.:)

Gaile Gray: Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Gaile Gray: PC Gamer was shipped out on Thursday, and should be in hand soon. I had hoped today.:-/

Gaile Gray: I visited last night, but I realized that our European friends were likely sleeping at mat hour.

Gaile Gray: And I wanted to show the Asura to them, too.:)

Gaile Gray: I visit the IDs, it's true, because, well, it's become home. Plus Froggie is here.:)

Gaile Gray: I'm a member of the development team, and the designers gave me lavender text so I could talc with players.

Gaile Gray: I'm a member of the development team, and the designers gave me lavender text so I could talk with players.

Gaile Gray: Sorry, very bad lag. I think my ISP is taking a nap.:(

Gaile Gray: Server issues, I get an email, this is local to me. *kicks ISP's patootie*

Gaile Gray: It's nice to see you guys here. Are you enjoying your weekend?

Gaile Gray: No word on the changes to titles, and I agree, we spoke of that some tine ago.

Gaile Gray: I'm hoping we'll have some final info on that, so that there are cross-campaign title changes.

Gaile Gray: Sure I will move to Froggie's aura. That may make the Asura easier to see.

Gaile Gray: He's behind me just now.

Gaile Gray: Changing names is a situation that has some benefits and some risks, and it's not an easy thing to configure.

Gaile Gray: Risk is that scammers may take advantage of that to mask their bad behavior.

Gaile Gray: Benefit is obvious.

Gaile Gray: And the complexity comes, I believe, in all the customized items.

Gaile Gray: But that latter bit is a guess, for I'm not a programmer.:)

Gaile Gray: Some of the rumours are true, and some are not. We'll have more info soon

Gaile Gray: We want to sort out the wheat from the chaff.:)

Gaile Gray: Yes, if a name has to be changed, then customized items are rendered unuseable at present.

Gaile Gray: Which is part of that complexity issue.

Gaile Gray: Nothing to say on changing hair or faces, sorry

Gaile Gray: On Monday, we'll have a dev update that talks about Hard Mode and Sunspear and Lightbringer titles.

Gaile Gray: It's not a big chunk of information, more of what it says, "an update."

Gaile Gray: Yes, Monday morning PDF, Monday evening GMT.

Gaile Gray: There is no event. There will be no hat.

Gaile Gray: Adding a few special drops makes this a fun weekend, but please don't expect a hat every time we do that.

Gaile Gray: I love the idea of adding random fun drops, but there is a diff between a fun weekend and a full-out event.:)

Gaile Gray: I have no new news on storage today, I'm sorry to say.

Gaile Gray: Believe me that (Guten Abend, Deutschland ;)) the designers know you'd like more storage.

Gaile Gray: They probably hear me complaining in the next room.

Gaile Gray: I'm a developer, yes.

Gaile Gray: Now, THAT is true. I do not balance skills.

Gaile Gray: And I'm pretty relieved about that, because that's a job I do not covet. ;p

Gaile Gray: I mean, how many skills are there? Trying to balance them all... amazingly challenging!

Gaile Gray: I have not heard of any plans to bring back dye remover. There was a lot of confusion about that.

Gaile Gray: And I know that the recipes have changed, but that's pretty much part of the preview and update.

Gaile Gray: I wanted to show the Asura, so I dropped by.

Gaile Gray: It's not likely I would have new exclusive info on a Saturday and I do apologize for that.

Gaile Gray: Sorry, Fred is not for sale. And I couldn't gift him to someone, he's feel abandoned!:)

Gaile Gray: Asura is named Fred.:)

Gaile Gray: Si, con mucho gusto. Hola, Latinos!

Gaile Gray: De nada

Gaile Gray: I can't say a word until it's out there.

Gaile Gray: There's a magazine article coming. And it's large, and it's gorgeous and ... *sigh*

Gaile Gray: I must respect the protocols here.

Gaile Gray: I am sorry, but I cannot customize items for people.

Gaile Gray: The vote kick idea — we've talked of it before. The risk is, a gold drops, and everyone suddenly finds...

Gaile Gray:.. that player "needs" a boot. :)

Gaile Gray: Now, I've seen players suggest a way to address that — make any items in his/her name unavailable to others.

Gaile Gray: And I think that's a pretty reasonable idea. I've also seen the concerns about leechers and leavers.

Gaile Gray: Leecher is more relevant in this case, of course.

Gaile Gray: I'd personally like to show leechers - AFKers — the pointy toe of my Bot of Removal.:)

Gaile Gray: Thank you for reminding me. Yes, the GM is a little OUT THERE for me. So large!

Gaile Gray: However, it's green and today is a day for as much greenness as possible.

Gaile Gray: I think that the NCE team is working on a placement in The Netherlands. (Nice country you have there!)

Gaile Gray: Oh wait, isn't there a publication in Benelux on that list?

Gaile Gray: Well, let me put up this link, but it's on the front page of the www.guildwars.com site.

Gaile Gray: Here's the link: http://www.guildwars.com/press/mediapartners.php

Gaile Gray: That is also on all the European sites as well

Gaile Gray: No informacion ahora.:(

Gaile Gray: TY for the luck.

Gaile Gray: Game Mistress, if you will.:):)

Gaile Gray: It's ok, I can't speak fast enough, and chatting is perfectly fine. I do appreciate reining in spam, tho.;)

Gaile Gray: I do not have the Ghostly Hero.:(

Gaile Gray: Someone last night had one — he's great!!

Gaile Gray: Our general philosophy is this: We don't want to _require_ high-end systems to play Guild Wars.

Gaile Gray: So any game we make will work just fine on a regular machine, not a power-machine.

Gaile Gray: So... the high end machines may get something extra, like graphical improvements.

Gaile Gray: But the standard machine, not "this gen" but even a bit behind, will be

Gaile Gray: TY, Raven.:)

Gaile Gray: So if you get a super-duper machine, you'll get benefits. But those playing on an older machine...

Gaile Gray: (within reason, of course) can still play just fine!

Gaile Gray: There are a lot of groups I prefer to them, tbh.:)

Gaile Gray: Oh, Dyes for heroes! Nice idea!

Gaile Gray: I have not heard we are working on grills.:)

Gaile Gray: No, we were not sued. We added the timer - and it's so minor I don't know why anyone would object — because...

Gaile Gray: ... we want to remind folks to take good care of themselves.

Gaile Gray: No a nag, not a "close the game" mechanics, just a "don't forget to sleep" note.:)

Gaile Gray: Ranger update? Pet controls are being tested, and the team is discussing possible changes to some bow skills.

Gaile Gray: Envor, that's too valuable, but thank you.

Gaile Gray: No, hero controls are totally different than pet controls.

Gaile Gray: Heros are using weapons, casting spells... you see?

Gaile Gray: if you mean staking a position or calling to defend, that makes

Gaile Gray: TY jahar.

Gaile Gray: Minions are a different type of creature than pets. And therefore would not be covered in pet controls.

Gaile Gray: Or so I believe.

Gaile Gray: No plans for Linux that I know about.

Gaile Gray: Yes, we will continue Guild Wars — you guys know that!

Gaile Gray: How, where, why, and so forth, remains to be said. You should know more very soon!

Gaile Gray: This girl isn't a player character, so doesn't have real outstanding stats. :)

Gaile Gray: I'm not able to discuss things like "-the next campaign" just now. Sooooon!

Gaile Gray: I think if you're going to play PvP, you have to get used to a bit of abbrasive chat, don't you? :)

Gaile Gray: I mean, it's sort of part of the game, WITHIN reason, of course.

Gaile Gray: A little confrontational chat isn't a bad thing.

Gaile Gray: I think I heard a word or two about someone on the design team looking at leeching, yes.

Gaile Gray: I don't know if they will find a means to counter it, but they are aware, and concerned.

Gaile Gray: It's not as easy as "You didn't move, you're booted" is it?

Gaile Gray: Don't know about this "Ultimate Edition." What is that?

Gaile Gray: Quizás el nombramiento de pets vendrá al futuro

Gaile Gray: ¿Mis palabras son correctas?

Gaile Gray: *phew*:)

Gaile Gray: A repeatable quest, in Pre-Searing? I know what you're on about! That title! :)

Gaile Gray: I think that pre-searing is sort of historical and I don't know that the designers would add things to it.

Gaile Gray: Snowman. :)

Gaile Gray: I would hope that yes, there would be beast mastery weapons. However between you and me...

Gaile Gray: Welll...

Gaile Gray: Froggie is worried about the idea of a whip. :(

Gaile Gray: Bots booted, daily. We DO go there, we DO pull names, or respond to player reports

Gaile Gray: I know they come back, but honestly, we deal with bots daily you?

Gaile Gray: Can you not tell your Monk Hero to do that now? Focus c

Gaile Gray: l am a Ranger because I love bows and pets; l am a Monk because I cannot stand to let my team die.:)

Gaile Gray: When I don't use Monk as primary or secondary I get pretty concerned about helping.:)

Gaile Gray: Those advertising gold sales? TELL us! Give us a name, date, time, location and we'll blast 'em.

Gaile Gray: Every person who sells gold costs you and me time, because they raise the price for us.:( e, with players in 24 time . It just doesn't work, Im

Gaile Gray: TY, Amish.:)

Gaile Gray: Oh a day night timer? Well, how could w zones?

Gaile Gray: Sorry, I cannot give call outs to people sorry.

Gaile Gray: bien gracias! Y usted?

Gaile Gray: I agree, and I will ask about that. Showing * of fact ion to the cause is a good idea.

Gaile Gray: I like the idea of away messages a ton.

Gaile Gray: Hello, I'm not here right now. I'm grabbing a Dr. Pepper. Please leave me a message. :)

Gaile Gray: No tengo favorito ahora.

Gaile Gray: Ich spreche German nicht. :(:(:(

Gaile Gray: Einige Worter und Ausdrucke. I don't even know if that's right.:(

Gaile Gray: Ausdruke is phrases?

Gaile Gray: Gut!

Gaile Gray: I saw the other day that one of the NCsoft games will have in-game chat.

Gaile Gray: I thought "We should get that for Guild Wars!"

Gaile Gray: NO idea if it's coming, but I think. we'd love it.

Gaile Gray: If you said what I think you said, I'm sorry, but you will be gone. :(

Gaile Gray: Pet controls, yes.

Gaile Gray: Pet emotes? Hey. I dunno. Like what?

Gaile Gray: TY, SG.:)

Gaile Gray: Yes, that French tournament is marvelous!

Gaile Gray: I saw a TON of guilds sign up for that.

Gaile Gray: Your English is excellent, and I’m unsure if we can have an Ally List, because it would be very long.

Gaile Gray: however, maybe that is possible -- I will ask

Gaile Gray: Alliance Halls — interesting idea. Of course, you can guest now, but hmmmm…

Gaile Gray: Nice word!

Gaile Gray: I don't think that there will be a chance to death leveling

Gaile Gray: it was not planned, it was something that players discovered, and as such we would be likely to leave it intcat

Gaile Gray: intact, too

Gaile Gray: Actually, this "hat" is a sham. I am not technically speaking a GM

Gaile Gray: I wear it because they don't have a CRM hat.:)

Gaile Gray: Oui!

Gaile Gray: I haven't made my predictions on the winner of the Celestial Tournament. I have my eye on several.

Gaile Gray: Right now, I think it's Skill Bars at the top of the ranking.

Gaile Gray: Ah, good you asked!@

Gaile Gray: Xunlai will open next week!

Gaile Gray: You can predict the final rounds. Very fun.

Gaile Gray: I haven't heard of including a t-shirt in any CEs.

Gaile Gray: (have mentioned getting t-shirts into stores, and I believe we’re working on that! xi that, s you if I

Gaile Gray: Alliance Battles' wait time — I can ask for any updates on that, sure

Gaile Gray: I don't know that I will be at Leipzig this year. I will miss you if I am not. :(

Gaile Gray: l don't know that well put month, day, year in char age.

Gaile Gray: For one thing, sometimes knowing that info is helpful to establishing ownershp of an account, I believe.

Gaile Gray: Yes, I know, it clicks over and you don't know exactly what day, I agree

Gaile Gray: Oh, lucky you! Leipzigger... Leipzigander? Something like that. :)

Gaile Gray: Loved that place.:)

Gaile Gray: What IS up with Onyx!? I have one and I have NO idea what to do with it!

Gaile Gray: Froggie said as recently as last night that he still believe in Gwen.

Gaile Gray: That we've not heard the end of that. I think he's often a dreamer.:)

Gaile Gray: I haven’t heard of guild storage being on the list at this time. Guild storage has a lot of drawbacks.

Gaile Gray: I’ve heard in other games, there are problems with access, scamming, etc. :(

Gaile Gray: Oh, I need to store something, I just realize I can clear a space.:)

Gaile Gray: TY Gratt

Gaile Gray: Well, as we have said, there is some truth in those rumours, and some fiction, too.

Gaile Gray: And we hope to be able to sort that out very soon!

Gaile Gray: No news on storage of hairdressers just now, sorry

Gaile Gray: TY, Cristal! I’ve not gotten my own yet. :)

Gaile Gray: I do believe that the St. Patrick's items are about the cutest we’ve made.

Gaile Gray: Now, I realize that some will think "cuteness"

Gaile Gray: is a bit silly, but honestly, for icons, cuteness is very important.:)

Gaile Gray: No info on alliance lists right now, sorry

Gaile Gray: Ok, I will defer to you: attractive.:)

Gaile Gray: Automatic tourney is coming soon

Gaile Gray: TY. Okuni.:)

Gaile Gray: Do you find the Asura a little... odd? That facial expression. :)

Gaile Gray: Cat is good. He's sleeping just now. That's his "job" 23/7. :)

Gaile Gray: I callhim El Gato Gorge... Well, his name is Geroge, I think that's Gorge in Spanish. :)

Gaile Gray: Jorge? s spam, but gave a

Gaile Gray: Ahhh. George, after whom all my pets are named.

Gaile Gray: I don't think we "banned" for continuous spam, but gave a time out for being able to chat.

Gaile Gray: That time has been adjusted a few times.

Gaile Gray: Error 19? Never seen that one> tell me about it.

Gaile Gray: Dod, you must keep the Cesta, but Thank you. :)

Gaile Gray: How do they spam? If there's a timer? I mean it DOES make them pause, yes?

Gaile Gray: Yes, I would like the ability to chat during cinematics.

Gaile Gray: I can ask about that sure

Gaile Gray: I will ask about Error 19. Truly I have never seen that one... OH!

Gaile Gray: That's related to the holiday missions or quests, right??

Gaile Gray: TY, Dod

Gaile Gray: Yes, l am a huge Mickey Mouse/Disney fen. Don't know why you asked, but ok!

Gaile Gray: I like those ideas — put a little more life into the settlements? WiII pass it along.

Gaile Gray: I particularly like the idea of chimney smoke.:)

Gaile Gray: I should not tell you this, but I think SoT is coming this week or next.

Gaile Gray: As GotW	|

Gaile Gray: We have a poll running on fan forums about what miniatures you'd like to see. Do add your ideas any time!

Gaile Gray: Nah, I like talking with a small group. Spamming my lavender across the server would seem very rude of me. :)

Gaile Gray: Can you see people complain? "Who cares — if I wanted to hear that, I'd go find her." :D :D

Gaile Gray: 2nd Birthday gift Is not finalized yet. I wish I knew!

Gaile Gray: My girl is 22 months old, so she's close.

Gaile Gray: Paragons need buffing? You think so?

Gaile Gray: Mine seems quite well balanced.

Gaile Gray: I will ask about Error 19, but if it's related to holiday missions, then that's the explanation.

Gaile Gray: No miniatures to sell, sorry. :(

Gaile Gray: Loooo, another thing I can't remember seeing. I must be missing some of those cool drops! TY

Gaile Gray: I can get to many places with this girl, but of course, she's not a player character and she will die.

Gaile Gray: If I go to FoW, she'd die in an instant. I don't take her places for play,

Gaile Gray: Ok, will ask.

Gaile Gray: Angelic bond, eh? -)

Gaile Gray: No se sobre nuevos tintes. Esta es un bueno pregunta.

Gaile Gray: I'm a packrat, too.

Gaile Gray: ACK! UnA ! :)

Gaile Gray: I get that "matching bit" for una/uno mixed up. :)

Gaile Gray: I'm sorry, call me out of the loop, but there Is farming in DoA on a serious level??

Gaile Gray: CE will not be re-released. :(

Gaile Gray: Es...con su permisso... The 1v1 ladder is the Hero Battles, right?

Gaile Gray: We are constantly looking at more ladders and more options for player recognition.

Gaile Gray: Hey, I won't tolerate people dissing other nationalities.

Gaile Gray: Don't EVEN go there.

Gaile Gray: Global community is very important, and everyone deserves respect.

Gaile Gray: I would say yes we will do a new event, but I cannot say for certain when the next one will be.

Gaile Gray: Prophecies (standard) isn’t in Belgium now?

Gaile Gray: I will ask about that.

Gaile Gray: Yes, they can get more copies, I’m sure. I will ask NCE about it.

Gaile Gray: 108.

Gaile Gray: I don't think we have a Factions Game of the Year edition planned, but that's sales/marketing and I'm not certain.

Gaile Gray: Bot farming is handled frequently by our support team, you bet!

Gaile Gray: I wonder how we could get people to use Party Search!?

Gaile Gray: Players begged for it, but I don't see everyone using it, as they could and should!

Gaile Gray: Maybe "You get a cookie if you use the PS." :)

Gaile Gray: You don't need to send screenshots, you simply need to send time, date, zone, and exact spelling of the "bots" name.

Gaile Gray: I think the fan fiction community is doing a wonderful job of creating interesting stories about Guild Wars.

Gaile Gray: I need to head out now.

Gaile Gray: I haven't eaten today and It's heading to 3:30.:)

Gaile Gray: Sure, we can conga!

Gaile Gray: Yes, we watch for bots there regularly. And zap ;em. :)

Gaile Gray: Click me and space bar to start the conga, if you care to join.

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Samira

Gaile Gray: That's so funny!

Gaile Gray: I was rubberbanding. :)

Gaile Gray: Have a great rest of your St. Patrick's Day, and enjoy those Shamrock Ales in moderation. :)