ArenaNet:In-game talk/20070414

Gaile Gray Talk Saturday April 14, 2007

Note: In the forum of GW Online some players organized a rally for mursaats in Maguuma Stade International District 1, to fight for an appearance of this enemy in Guild Wars Eye of the North [1]. Arena Net employees read this post and sent Mursaats to kill everyone in this district on Saturday, April 14th, 2007 5PM GMT. The following log was an answer of Gaile Gray to this "mini-event".

Summary

• Mursaat spellcasters appeared in international districts of the Maguuma Stade outpost, killing players. The deaths will not effect those going for Survivor.

Complete Log

Gaile Gray: It's horrible. Bodies all over!!

Gaile Gray: Is there a strategy in place?

Gaile Gray: In case they invade??

Gaile Gray: I don't know why you;...

Gaile Gray: Back in a few. I'm thinking if we all pretend to be dead, they'll leave. Oh wait...

• Later, Gaile came to Kamadan, Jewel of Istan

Gaile Gray: Hi, there. :)

Gaile Gray: How is your Saturday going?

Gaile Gray: Mine's just getting started, really. :)

Gaile Gray: Ok, so you chose the name Caile Gray and thought you'd not be actioned?

Gaile Gray: People choose names close to mine and it can involve scamming. :(

Gaile Gray: So please understand, they're acting in the best interests of the players.

Gaile Gray: No (something) kicking is required. :)

Gaile Gray: That many hours DOES seem high. Let me ask the team to look... I thought it would be lower.

Gaile Gray: Do you have a lot of marks on that account? :)

Gaile Gray: I will see if I can find out, but it's sort of a thing we have to do, to prevent someone being scammed. :(

Gaile Gray: Thank yoU!

Gaile Gray: Seriously, sometimes people don't understand, I appreciate that you do

Gaile Gray: Ok, some news. Not a lot, but a little.

Gaile Gray: Yes, as you know, there will be birthday gifts for Year 2. I cannot spoil them with a list.

Gaile Gray: I do think you will enjoy them.

Gaile Gray: Secondly, James Phinney (lead designer and all-around great guy) spent some time on Friday with me.

Gaile Gray: He is reading ALL the threads about the updates, and believe me I do mean all.

Gaile Gray: There are a few things we can share.

Gaile Gray: It's really helpful for Necromancers to share builds, so that we can mirror that build and test the changes.

Gaile Gray: We know that some necs are upset about the changes to Soul Reaping (SR).

Gaile Gray: SR changes were not intended or spurred by PvP; SR needed a change in both, to be honest.

Gaile Gray: We want people to understand this is not one type of gameplay driving another.

Gaile Gray: DO NOT delete a character. Work with us to get the right balance, or at least wait until it comes.

Gaile Gray: You say it is wrong that another profession can mess up your energy gain, but boy another prof can...

Gaile Gray:... mess up my ability to run, or deny my energy gains, too! And I'm not a Nec in this case!

Gaile Gray: Yes, we do understand. Here is how I see it lately, please let me know if you agree.

Gaile Gray: Necs are pretty comfortable with a change to SR, because they acknowledge that it was a tad overpowered.

Gaile Gray: What they are less happy with is the timer.

Gaile Gray: (Mesmers, next.)

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Cj Two A, that's very kind.

Gaile Gray: What James said is that they are testing ALL builds, and looking at various possibilities.

Gaile Gray: They are not content with Necs right now, and understand what you steady Nec players are sharing!

Gaile Gray: I hope that everyone understands — and surely they must — that we DO read the forums.

Gaile Gray: Even today, I'm here because of something on a fan forum. :)

Gaile Gray: We are avid readers, and we act on your input often, and well. :)

Gaile Gray: No, to Mesmers.

Gaile Gray: I mean NOW to Mesmers

Gaile Gray: Yeah, you guys already feel itls "No" I know. :)

Gaile Gray: YES to Mesmers. YES to research. YES to reading thoughtful posts about how to make them better.

Gaile Gray: I think veteran Mesmer players will agree that there is little wrong with Mes in PvP

Gaile Gray: Yes, IN PvP they are awesome- Don't you agre?

Gaile Gray: agree?

Gaile Gray: Ok, YES, finding a group in PvE is the trick. They rock, but there are challenges, esp with PUGs

Gaile Gray: PUG = Pickup groups.

Gaile Gray: Veteran players value a good Mesmer; veteran players know the Mes's place in a team.

Gaile Gray: James is looking at ways to make them stronger, or more.. how to say this?

Gaile Gray: To make it more apparent how they contribute to a party and how valuable they truly are.

Gaile Gray: So hold on, Mesmers. The design team has you on the list, and good things are being considered.

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Nemesis Lord

Gaile Gray: Ahhh, but if you say (profession) sucks, I think you simply don't know.:)

Gaile Gray: 1v1 arenas are hero battles. The game is not balanced for straight 1v1 but with heroes, it's 1v1 done better. :)

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Pieke

Gaile Gray: Hard Mode?

Gaile Gray: We're doing a "hard mode?"

Gaile Gray: Nobody tells me anything! :)

Gaile Gray: Ok, ok, from what I HEAR, and this could change, but from what I understand, Hard Mode may arrive next week.

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Hikui

Gaile Gray: Hard Mode: Increased difficulty in the game, increased rewards. Very fun!

Gaile Gray: Although there is a worry, I think, that there's a mission I'll never finish in HM. :)

Gaile Gray: Hard Mode is much more than I expected it would be. I

Gaile Gray: So, we are going to put together a little website page to hit the highlights and share them with you.

Gaile Gray: NO charge for Hard Mode, no!

Gaile Gray: No sneaky monthly fee, no!

Gaile Gray: And while I'm here: NO subscription fees for GW2, either. Or GW:EN!

Gaile Gray: My personal opinion is that HM would be very, very difficult to hench/hero, but you may be able to do it.

Gaile Gray: Will DoA be affected by Hard Mode? Yes, eventually. :)

Gaile Gray: TY, Ada!

Gaile Gray: Ah! I don't know about FoW and UW, but I do believe it IS included in HM. I will confirm.

Gaile Gray: CE for GW:EN — I'm very hopeful. No confirmation, but they are definitely considering it.

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Prestige Healer.

Gaile Gray: I agree, we should broaden the means to acquire items in the online store.

Gaile Gray: Sorry, someone at my door.

Gaile Gray: I'm hanging out in a game, talking to some friends, and some fool knocks on my door to sell me vinyl siding!?

Gaile Gray: Yes, as I said. We DO need to increase the means to buy in the online store.

Gaile Gray: I was poking for some sort of gift certificate system, through retail stores!

Gaile Gray: Also, PayPal and... Don't you EVEN go there, with that "storage update" silliness! :)

Gaile Gray: Lockpicks - Hard Mode. :)

Gaile Gray: Yes, DoA will be in Hard Mode. I can't even imagine!

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Nero

Gaile Gray: I apologized to you for the typo. Can that end it, please?

Gaile Gray: The coming week — yes. Meaning the week of April 15-21. That's an_estimate_but that seems entirely possible.

Gaile Gray: TY Lissa.

Gaile Gray: Whenever your character turns 1 year — April, November, any month — you will get a 1 year gift.

Gaile Gray: The earliest that any can turn 2 is April 28th, of course.

Gaile Gray: Hmmm... I should bake for the team that day! An anniversary treat! :)

Gaile Gray: If you were an accurate predictor in the Celestial Tournament, you should see the prize guy next week.

Gaile Gray: And he'II hang around at least a week, to hand out your prizes.

Gaile Gray: I think there is info on rewards in the large article that we posted about 7-10 days ago.

Gaile Gray: About the tournaments, the ATS.

Gaile Gray: I have not heard of bumblebees in GW2, so I can neither confirm nor deny their presence. :)

Gaile Gray: I don't know about character slots for GW:EN, but I must point out, GW:EN is for your high-level characters.

Gaile Gray: There is no starter area in GW:EN

Gaile Gray: Oh, full inventory. :)

Gaile Gray: I know, this armour is really cute. I love the look.:)

Gaile Gray: No idea about a preview event, Since it's an XP it may be different.

Gaile Gray: Oh, wow, we got SO many entries in the weapon design contest!

Gaile Gray: It's going to be tough for the judges to pick winners!

Gaile Gray: Yes, PvP players voted rather strongly for 8v8. And yes, we're still looking at Kill Count.

Gaile Gray: I thought Kill Count would be fun. I loved it in StarCraft.

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Crazy P.

Gaile Gray: I know this isn't StarCraft, silly. :)

Gaile Gray: However, the CONCEPT is a good one, you know?

Gaile Gray: hehe I know, no problem

Gaile Gray: No idea about storage and GW:EN, sorry

Gaile Gray: And no, nothing new on (1) hairstylists. (2) guild storage or (3) auction houses. :)

Gaile Gray: *dusts hands* A three-fer. :)

Gaile Gray: Yeah, you guys better be working on finishing the games and practing your monster pwnage. :)

Gaile Gray: Because if you don't kill them, they assuredly will kill you, in Hard Mode. :)

Gaile Gray: No word on armours. It's behind other more time-sensitive issues, like Hard Mode and skill balance.

Gaile Gray: Name changing -- I suppose that might come, but in all honesty, other games charge and we might as well.

Gaile Gray: If it came to offering for a charge and not offering, I think most would agree a modest charge was appropriate.

Gaile Gray: Yeah, imagine Abaddon in Hard Mode. :)

Gaile Gray: You think Shiro was tougher?

Gaile Gray: Mallyx — there's the ticket! Mallyx in Hard Mode. :)

Gaile Gray: Nothing on alliance roster. Again, there are other more pressing matters.

Gaile Gray: TY jane.:)

Gaile Gray: Ruins of Surmia-- see, I _love_ the idea of that in Hard Mode.

Gaile Gray: That's one, you finish it and you are pretty darn elated. :)

Gaile Gray: Imagine capping that one in HM!

Gaile Gray: And no, nothing new on (1) hairstylists, (2) guild storage or (3) auction houses. :)

Gaile Gray: I like the sounds of the Sylvari very well. Of all, I think I'm most intrigued by them.

Gaile Gray: They just sound like great beings. :)

Gaile Gray: I saw "leechers" on a design room board one day. I do believe they will look at that sometime, I really do.

Gaile Gray: TY, Duke. (Wales = very cool.)

Gaile Gray: I have not been to Madrid, but I would like to go there someday.

Gaile Gray: I Iike the Spanish castles, from their photographs. :)

Gaile Gray: Yes, to access Hard Mode, you have to finish a campaign.

Gaile Gray: Not all campaigns, but each campaign for which you want to undertake HM

Gaile Gray: My German is poor. :( In my heart, though, Ich Liebe Deutschland. :)

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Chthonian Envoy.

Gaile Gray: I _believe_ that Hard Mode is account based, but PLEASE wait for the HM Page to confirm, ok??

Gaile Gray: I have not heard of plans to add new language-based districts, no.

Gaile Gray: Yes, I am still working on the title I have...let me check

Gaile Gray: 549 in Sweet Tooth.:)

Gaile Gray: I'm going for the highest level, someday, but just getting Sweet Tooth will be cool.

Gaile Gray: Yes, I can tell you about the Mursaat.

Gaile Gray: You see, there was a little "fan rally in support of the Mursaat."

Gaile Gray: And, well, the Mursaat sort of ... invaded the districts during the rally.

Gaile Gray: If you go to International District 2 of Maguuma Stade, you will see Mursaat in town.

Gaile Gray: The trick is, can you live long enough to see the? :)

Gaile Gray: the Mursaat, that is.

Gaile Gray: Deutschland ? or Deutscheland? I thought Deutschland. Can you teach me?

Gaile Gray: *proud*

Gaile Gray: Danke.

Gaile Gray: You ask about cookies and well, it brings to mind ideas of mine for GW2.

Gaile Gray: What I'd like is things that we could acquire and give as gifts to others. Wedding gifts, friendship gifts.

Gaile Gray: Not items that you need in the game, but special items that you can share. :)

Gaile Gray: So I'm going to tell the designers if they'd consider sort of ... off topic items. :)

Gaile Gray: Ya!

Gaile Gray: Daimon - ja.

Gaile Gray: Oh, it's no trouble answering questions -- not at all!

Gaile Gray: Sometimes I have trouble seeing questions, and I KNOW I miss a lot. If you are ok with that...

Gaile Gray:... and forgive me my many typos, we're good. :D

Gaile Gray: Guild Hall improvements: I have not heard of any for GW;EN, to be honest. Maybe, but I don't know for sure.

Gaile Gray: For the future, though, there's little I'd rather spend my money on that the moosehead over the mantel. :)

Gaile Gray: Ok, I don't believe in mooseheads, in real life, but for fun, sure! :)

Gaile Gray: Mesmer updates -- James said they are still looking at changes, and there will be some.

Gaile Gray: The nature of the changes isn't known yet, but they ARE considering all sort of positive updates.

Gaile Gray: Necromancers — same applies. Don't despair -- the designers are reviewing forum threads and discussing often

Gaile Gray: TY, Nemesis Lords. Sorry about earlier.

Gaile Gray: I like cheese, too. ;)

Gaile Gray: Except in my games. :D

Gaile Gray: Good news about the Miniatures: We have a suppply of keys, and are going to be using them for player rewards or prize

Gaile Gray: ATS? I think it's due very soon. I don't have a date, yet

Gaile Gray: No plans for a Beta Weekend for GW:EN at this time. We'll have more info later, of course.

Gaile Gray: Tournament Agent (no all caps please!) is coming this week. Perhaps mid-week, like around the 18th-20th

Gaile Gray: Yes, some sort of outcome would be good for those who abuse the other team members and leave

Gaile Gray: I'm also unfond of AFKers, for most purposes.

Gaile Gray: Qliq, he's very cute.:)

Gaile Gray: Killcount -- being examined

Gaile Gray: No idea on a Gwen minipet, but it's a cute idea. :)

Gaile Gray: TY, Anadi.

Gaile Gray: Will there be social skills? What a cute question!

Gaile Gray: There is a birthday gift, yes, but I'm not a spoiler. :)

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Xerxes.

Gaile Gray: The fact is, death leveling was a player invention.

Gaile Gray: We never thought that anyone could reach Level 20 in Presearing.

Gaile Gray: And when they showed the ingenuity and drive to do so, we rewarded them with a potential title.

Gaile Gray: I think that's quite cool, personally.

Gaile Gray: YES, I noticed that myself, I would LOVE to be able to portion out my inventory withdrawals, too.

Gaile Gray: Thanks, Burton.

Gaile Gray: Certainly we can conga!

Gaile Gray: TY, Obi. I'm afraid my sense of humour is confusing, for some. :)

Gaile Gray: I don't think I'd qualify Flesh Golems as "cute,'" no.

Gaile Gray: TY Blindest Guardian.

Gaile Gray: I think a conga title would be cool, but I don't know how it would work. :)

Gaile Gray: Ok, about that conga thing... shall we?

Gaile Gray: I'm not leaving, but others may need to do so, so I thought I'd conga now. :)

Gaile Gray: Click me or someone near by, and space bar to start.

Gaile Gray: Oh, one additional thing...

Gaile Gray: :)

Log courtesy of Sjeng of [LJ]