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Flameseeker Chronicles: Why is the lore of Guild Wars so important?
Enter the kodan and someone call for more crowd control! ArenaNet set the Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 communities on their collective ear last week with the introduction of the kodan race. I think it's safe to say that the Guild Wars wing of the internet exploded with speculation, discussion, arguments, and sheer excitement. Lore is huge in Guild Wars, but that's not a new thing. We might be all excited about the kodan right now, but think about it for a moment. This excitement didn't happen in a vacuum; as fans we've grown to feel this strongly about all of the lore of Guild Wars. Where did it all come from? Today I'm taking a look at some of the highlights of why we are so fascinated by the kodan and by Tyria overall. Read on, then share your own thoughts at the end!
MV Guide: January 17 - 24, 2011
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively's Livestream channel. Every week the Massively staff will be logging in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We'll have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of games to take a look at. During Livestream events, you can participate in the live chat to learn about the game, ask questions, and spend some time with Massively staff and readers. Are you worried about missing out due to your schedule? Don't be, because we'll be Livestreaming at various times during the afternoon and evening both weekdays and weekends, so you're sure to find something great up and running at a good time! If you miss a Livestream, we've got you covered there too! Just check out the "latest videos" section of our channel to find past Livestream events to view at your leisure. We've got several of our regular games on this week's schedule, along with some newcomers. Do you have a game you'd love to see on our Livestream channel? Let us know in the comments section. For now, if you're looking to check out some new games or see your favorite game from a new perspective, follow along after the cut for this week's installment of MV Guide!
Become the bear? I already am the bear: Massively's look at the kodan of GW2
ArenaNet surprised us yesterday with a lore-heavy reveal on one of the non-playable races of Guild Wars 2: the kodan. We've known for a while of the kodan's existence and even had a few pieces of art, but until now there were hardly any details beyond that. Yesterday changed that with a rundown on the kodan belief system, the race's view on the others who inhabit Tyria, and much more. The discussion since yesterday afternoon has been thorough, detailed, and very speculative, as is typical of the Guild Wars/Guild Wars 2 community. These great discussions combined with the lore reveal gave everyone plenty to think about: Is this guardian the BML? Does the kodan belief system have roots in Buddhism? Will we be able to explore the kodan Sanctuaries in detail? There's much more, of course, but I wanted to explore a few key points in all of this. Read on after the break, and be sure to jump in at the end and share your own thoughts!
ArenaNet reveals the wisdom and power of the Kodan in Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 still seems achingly far away if you're one of the many players hotly anticipating the game, but we can take comfort in the fact that ArenaNet has continued to share more of the lore of the world via regular blog entries. The Kodan, previously known in only the barest terms, have been revealed in full with the latest writeup. A mighty and proud race from the northern lands, these powerful ursine warriors have begun moving south, at once seeking refuge and judging the other races of Tyria. "Judging" is to put it mildly, really -- the kodan view themselves as the arbiters of spiritual purity within the world, even as they flee from the elder ice dragon Jormag. Some norn and kodan alike believe that the norn are descended from the bear-men, which the kodan view as a great failing of the norn, hence why the other race has been stripped of its natural form. Learn more about this new addition to Guild Wars 2 in the full entry, complete with a few pieces of the game's signature beautiful concept art.
Flameseeker Chronicles: Community and what it means in game development
Last week, I did an analysis and recap of ArenaNet's Retrospective video. The recap was released at the same time as the video, so at the time I had no clue what community reaction would be. Because of this, I was watching the general feedback with great interest, and I found that a lot of commentary focused on a particular quote from Chris Lye -- one that I particularly enjoyed. "You know, we're not a video game company, we're a community building company. We just happen to have one of the coolest ways to build a community, which is through a video game." It's an attitude shared by pretty much the entire ArenaNet staff, and it's one that drew a bit of criticism and a lot of discussion in game and on the forums. Follow along after the jump as I take a peek at the pros and cons of this philosophy.
MV Guide: January 10 - 17, 2011
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively's Livestream channel. Every week the Massively staff will be logging in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We'll have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of games to take a look at. During Livestream events, you can participate in the live chat to learn about the game, ask questions, and spend some time with Massively staff and readers. Are you worried about missing out due to your schedule? Don't be, because we'll be Livestreaming at various times during the afternoon and evening both weekdays and weekends, so you're sure to find something great up and running at a good time! If you miss a Livestream, we've got you covered there too! Just check out the "latest videos" section of our channel to find past Livestream events to view at your leisure. So if you're looking to check out some new games or see your favorite game from a new perspective, follow along after the cut for this week's installment of MV Guide!
An ArenaNet retrospective: "We're not a video game company, we're a community building company"
"I don't think I've seen a studio more passionate about its work." Massively contributing editor Larry Everett made this comment regarding ArenaNet in our recent Staff Choice Awards, and his timing couldn't have been better. ArenaNet has begun 2011 in a big way with the ArenaNet retrospective. The 15-minute video is a trip back in time to the earliest days of ArenaNet and Guild Wars, but it doesn't stop there. Over 20 ArenaNet team members give their perspectives on where the company has been, where it's going, the company's take on Guild Wars 2, and what makes it great. If you loved the Manifesto video, you're likely going to find this one an even bigger treat. Follow along after the jump to see the ArenaNet retrospective video and Massively's take on it.
Flameseeker Chronicles: Recap and review of Edge of Destiny
Welcome to 2011! I, along with pretty much the entire Guild Wars fanbase, am incredibly excited about what this year is going to bring to both Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2. There's a lot in store, so I want to start the new year by looking at the thing that finished 2010 and brought us into 2011: Edge of Destiny. Of course, there are spoilers galore, so if you're one of the few who hasn't read the book, be warned. They're all past the cut, so follow along and let's look at Edge of Destiny.
Flameseeker Chronicles: A look back at 2010
Welcome to the last Flameseeker Chronicles of 2010, in which I wax sentimental over this year and salivate over what the next one promises. It's been a huge year for both Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 -- probably one of the biggest since Guild Wars 1 launched. There was civil war in Tyria, with consequences more far-reaching than any of us as players could imagine at the outset. Profession reveals came fast and furious for a while, and when the dust settled, we had extensive information on half of the Guild Wars 2 professions. Gamescom and PAX brought us actual Guild Wars 2 gameplay, the War in Kryta seemed to go on and on, and there were even some shakeups behind the scenes, with ArenaNet swinging a banhammer of massive proportions and dismantling the Xunlai tournament house. Follow along and let's take a look at what 2010 brought to Tyria.
Discussing Guild Wars 2 iconic characters with author J. Robert King
The Guild Wars lore constitutes stories -- nay, legends -- of remarkable heroism. The depth of this lore has entranced many a player of the game. ArenaNet created a world that enveloped the player in a setting that seemed greater than he. Guild Wars 2 will be no exception. Instantly, the player is surrounded by vivid characters and storylines that reach far beyond what he will ever see in-game. These amazing stories will be explored in a series of books. ArenaNet's Jeff Grubb recently sat down with the author of Edge of Destiny, J. Robert King, to discuss the characters and climate of the second novel based on events surrounding Guild Wars 2. Earlier this year, we met the characters of Destiny's Edge, a motley crew from all walks of Tyria, in the Races trailer. King speaks in depth about each of the different characters and how he personally related to each of them. The author explains in the interview: "[ArenaNet] provided me all kinds of information and images of these characters, but I couldn't write about them until they were mine. And the team gave me the creative freedom to make the characters my own." Definitely take some time to read the full interview on ArenaNet's site, and don't miss Massively's analysis of Edge of Destiny coming up in Monday's Flameseeker Chronicles.
Flameseeker Chronicles: Holidays, Hearts of the North, and happy endings
It's been a busy week! We haven't gotten any new Guild Wars 2 news, but things are hopping at ArenaNet and in Guild Wars. We've gotten new content, new items in the NCsoft store, and a new ArenaNet blog entry. The new ArenaNet blog post centered around this year's (unbelievably cute) holiday card. I want to thank reader and MVOP member MediaMaster9000, who received a card, scanned it, and sent it to me for a close-up look. He commented that it was one of the best Christmas presents he could have received, a statement that highlights yet again the effort that ArenaNet puts into personal communication with its fans. If you've not read this blog entry yet, you need to. Concept artist Jamie Jang bypassed digital creation for the card's front image entirely, choosing instead to create and hang real stockings then photograph them. The story behind it is a fun must-read! Holiday cards aren't the only things making Guild Wars fans happy -- we got a dose of new content last week, so follow along after the jump to see what's happening in Tyria! (Be warned, there are spoilers galore.)
Flameseeker Chronicles: My name is Gwen
As we approach the height of the holiday season, we continue seeing a shift in the focus of the ArenaNet team. While there's not a complete move from Guild Wars 2 to Guild Wars 1, things are a bit more evenly divided thanks to Guild Wars: Beyond and the approaching Wintersday festivities. I've mentioned before that it's interesting to watch Guild Wars 1 continue to progress and develop as its own game while at the same time begin telling the story of Guild Wars 2. That's a fine line to walk, and ArenaNet is balancing nicely. While the devs are doing their balancing act and we've got a little lull before Wintersday hits, I want to take a look at someone who is arguably the most iconic character in Guild Wars: Gwen. Most of us have known Gwen since day one of our Guild Wars experience. She trailed around chattering and healing us. She skipped and twirled and stumbled. She became the face and voice of the victims of the Searing for us. She (sort of) welcomed us to the Eye of the North. And she became a legend that carried forward 250 years into Guild Wars 2. Love her or hate her, she is one of the cornerstones of the Guild Wars world. Follow along after the jump as I take a closer look at Gwen.
Flameseeker Chronicles: Wintersday approaches
December is here, and for Guild Wars fans, that means Wintersday is near. The festivities have already started out of game with the Wintersday art contest, will continue in game with the Wintersday events, and may even include a few surprises (pure hopeful speculation on my part!). We may not know for sure about surprises, but we know that there will be some significant changes. John Stumme told us in a recent interview that Keiran's Wintersday quests will be much different: "Keiran's introduction and quest content are being split off from Wintersday and tweaked (for both story and requirements) so that they will function as normal quests now. Looking at it from the standpoint of a new or returning player to Guild Wars, they may have missed out on Wintersday Cheer previously, which makes it a bit confusing when this Keiran Thackeray character is suddenly part of the greater story." Speaking of new players, there are a lot of those this year! This is fantastic for the community as a whole, but things could be pretty overwhelming for those newbies. Veteran players go on about looking for reindeer, Grenth vs. Dwayna, and MPB farming while new players sort of stand around wondering what the heck is going on. We can't have that -- the more people participating, the better, so follow along after the jump and let's do an overview of Wintersday for those of you who have been playing Guild Wars for less than a year!
Guild Wars 2010 Wintersday art contest underway
Feeling creative this holiday season? ArenaNet has a Guild Wars-themed contest that should pique your interest. Entering is as easy as coming up with an original image featuring a Wintersday theme with a Guild Wars garnish; 2-D and 3-D art is acceptable, as are screenshots, renders, concept art, icons, or photographs. Submit your entry (in .jpeg image format) to contests@arena.net with Guild Wars Wintersday Art Contest 2010 as the subject line. You can also enter via snail mail, and the address as well as the complete contest rules are available on the official Guild Wars website. So what do you get for your trouble? The top three entries will receive a Razer Carcharias gaming headset. Seven second place contestants will take home a Razer Abyssus gaming mouse, and 10 honorable mentions will get an in-game item (the Everlasting Reindeer Tonic). The entry deadline is 12:00 p.m. PST on December 31st, so what are you waiting for?
ArenaNet team discusses elite skills and PvP in Guild Wars 2
Yesterday's interview with ArenaNet at Kill Ten Rats ended on a promising note: "to be continued." That promise was fulfilled today when Ravious posted part two of the interview. While much of yesterday's discussion revolved around energy usage and potions, today's focused more on skill usage -- particularly elite skills. Elites in Guild Wars 2 will be quite a bit different from what we're used to in Guild Wars. Ravious described them as "ace-up-your-sleeve" skills used to turn the tide of battle when they're most needed. Martin, Regina, Jon, and especially Isaiah had plenty to say about elites and how they work, including a few specific examples. The team also addressed weapon skills and PvP, two subjects of great interest to the community. Head over to Kill Ten Rats to check out the full interview!
ArenaNet talks energy and group dynamics in Guild Wars 2
After the recent Guild Wars 2 news drought, new information is certainly welcome. Ravious over at Kill Ten Rats provides just that today with a new interview with several members of the ArenaNet team. Ravious chatted with community managers Martin Kerstein and Regina Buenaobra as well as developers Jon Peters and Isaiah Cartwright for some fascinating discussion on part of the development process. The group discussed energy use in Guild Wars 2, and gave us some interesting news on how your gameplay style will affect it. They also covered some ground on group dynamics and how you can best work with your teammates in Guild Wars 2. The best part of this interview is that it ends with "to be continued." Head on over to Kill Ten Rats to see the interview for yourself, then join us in anxiously awaiting the next installment! If you are looking forward to GW2 but aren't a current Guild Wars player, you might want to check out the great deal on the Guild Wars Trilogy at Best Buy. What better way to pass the time while you wait for more GW2 news?
Flameseeker Chronicles: Expectations vs. reality
Welcome to another edition of Flameseeker Chronicles, and happy Thanksgiving several days late! I had an enjoyable weekend visiting family, eating way too much, and shopping (also way too much). In between that I managed to hop into Guild Wars and farm some pumpkin pie and hard apple cider. Earlier last week I also spent two and a half hours playing through Hearts of the North on Massively's Livestream channel, showing the content to several hundred readers. That was a bit of a nerve-wracking experience, because it's not the easiest content in the world, and there's nothing quite so much fun as having to restart over and over in front of a huge crowd. In the end I had a great time, and it was a good illustration that this isn't throwaway content that you can skate through. My thoughts on the content as well as some Guildcast discussion got me looking at the interaction between ArenaNet and the Guild Wars community, something I've been doing a lot in the absence of major Guild Wars 2 news. Follow along after the jump to see where my focus has been lately -- and as always, share your thoughts at the end!
Flameseeker Chronicles: Love is in the air
Last week was pretty busy for me, but I rewarded myself this weekend by jumping into Hearts of the North with both feet. Once I finally made time to indulge and play through the line, I enjoyed it for the most part. I had mixed feelings about a few parts, and I'll address those in a bit, but the reactions of a portion of the Guild Wars community as a whole were much stronger. I think that Hearts of the North and everything surrounding it is a "love it or hate it" situation for many people. I've heard from many players who are ecstatic about all of this, and many who want nothing to do with it. So follow along after the jump and let's take a look at the ups and downs of all the new goodies in Guild Wars!
UPDATED: Win a new Guild Wars costume pack from Massively!
Yesterday's surprise reveal of Guild Wars: Hearts of the North came with some very exciting extras for Massively. First, John Stumme spent some quality time with us, giving us all the inside scoop on this new content. The second extra goes straight to you, our readers. You see, Hearts of the North includes all sorts of new costumes and headpieces for players. Here at Massively, we managed to get our hands on 10 costume packs, and we are in a sharing mood. We've got five Wedding Couple packs (which include the bride and groom attire) and five Wedding Party packs (which include the entire set of costumes). Would you like one for your very own? Then talk to us! What do you love about the new content? What are you looking forward to seeing in Hearts of the North? Let us know in the comments section below by 11:59 p.m. EST tonight and you'll be entered in a random drawing for one of these costume packs! Don't forget to check out our contest rules, and good luck! [Update: All winners have been chosen and emailed. Congratulations!]
Exclusive interview: Guild Wars unveils Hearts of the North
When we last left our heroes, a distraught Gwen was crying in the Hall of Monuments, and Keiran Thackeray had disappeared. Thankfully, knowledgeable Guild Wars fans weren't too worried over the fate of the most prominent couple in the game. Logan Thackeray and Ebonhawke in Guild Wars 2 carry our assurance that the original couple reunited and married at some point. That point has arrived with Hearts of the North, the newest content addition to Guild Wars. Hearts of the North brings new quests and missions to the game as you progress from the search for Keiran to the wedding festivities. There is plenty of variety, including a Bonus Mission Pack-style event in which you play as Keiran and a more lighthearted chance to help a Norn wedding planner arrange the ceremony. The highlight of all the new content, of course, is the wedding. There are five new costumes for you to choose from for the ceremony, so get ready to choose your favorite formal wear and help bring our lovebirds back together! Hold on though, because we have so much more for you! We are as excited to see new Guild Wars content as the rest of the community, and we inundated ArenaNet with questions. John Stumme had plenty to say to all of them, even tossing in a few extra surprises for us. Follow along after the jump for the full scoop on Hearts of the North!
