Guild Wars 2 Hit 400k Concurrent Users Before Launch

[synobal]

Does Guild Wars operate on a single shard like Eve Online?

The entire game is divided into servers, some stationed in the US, some in Europe (Many of which have local language restrictions to facilitate community). This structure allows for the MMORTS-style combat known as WvW, wherein three different servers are pitted against each other to control a map and defeat the others every two weeks.

Each zone has multiple districts, referred to as "overflow servers", to reduce lag and optimize performance. You can, however, jump to any local "shard" at any time as long as there is a member of your party there.

There is also (coming soon) a Guesting system wherein you can play on any server any time.

Server selection does not restrict communication, PvP options (with some exceptions involving WvW, and server guesting/switching), or Guild membership.

Interesting and it sounds more elegant than, the typical shard system, I wonder what the draw backs are.

 

[catalyst8]

I was very underwhelmed when I saw it on someone else's PC. JRPG graphics, servers & log-in still not fixed, formulaic game-play & controls. I wanted to like it, but just found it hugely derivative of the genre & somewhat childish.

 

[rbstewart7263]

I was very underwhelmed when I saw it on someone else's PC. JRPG graphics, servers & log-in still not fixed, formulaic game-play & controls. I wanted to like it, but just found it hugely derivative of the genre & somewhat childish.

Its like that band you knew you were supposed to like but didnt like. And then you listened a few times an now there one of your favorites.

 

[Elate]

-Snip-

Oh well then.. Just drivers and optimization now I guess.

 

[Gatx]

Balls. Guess I'll have to wait a bit for a free trial then, since free trials generally only happen when numbers start sagging.

Ah well, I can wait.

You want a free trial for the Free to Play one-purchase game..? :S

It doesn't matter if it's a F2P one time purchase MMO, any game that requires a purchase in general would benefit from a demo of some sort, especially for PC games.

 

[Irridium]

Balls. Guess I'll have to wait a bit for a free trial then, since free trials generally only happen when numbers start sagging.

Ah well, I can wait.

You want a free trial for the Free to Play one-purchase game..? :S

Sure. Guild Wars 1 has a free trial (tried it, it was alright I suppose, but I didn't have much fun). Don't see why GW2 can't. I've heard really good things about it from plenty of people I trust. But I didn't have much fun with the first one, so I'd like to try this before I buy.

 

[eventhorizon525]

They are probably going to hold on the free trial till the now (Actual) launch has settled down some and the population isn't clustered heavily between level 1-30. Would also help if they finished correcting a few misbehaving systems (most of them are back up, but it can be a bit touchy).

Oddly enough, some of the server problems (such as with the AH), might actually do the population some good; doubt I will see this much trust with trading in any game for a fair while.

 

[Darks63]

Its not how many people are there at launch, its how many people are still there after 6 months.

 

[theultimateend]

If it's half as good as the first one, this will easily be game of the year.

It's way better than half .

I'm greatly enjoying myself. Almost level 20 .

Sure. Guild Wars 1 has a free trial (tried it, it was alright I suppose, but I didn't have much fun). Don't see why GW2 can't. I've heard really good things about it from plenty of people I trust. But I didn't have much fun with the first one, so I'd like to try this before I buy.

I pretty much hated the first one.

My wife bought me the CE of this and just...man.

So everything that comes with the CE edition is super polished. Then the game is super polished.

I don't think these folks know that gamers will basically pay for shit. It is really well done.

On the flip side I'm also running a good PC I guess, I haven't noticed any slowdown and I was running quests with 20-30 people? So not sure? I guess.

I was very underwhelmed when I saw it on someone else's PC. JRPG graphics, servers & log-in still not fixed, formulaic game-play & controls. I wanted to like it, but just found it hugely derivative of the genre & somewhat childish.

Talking about GW1 I presume.

Cause otherwise I don't think I can believe you since nothing you mentioned is true about GW2.

And again...that's coming from someone who didn't know shit about it prelaunch. Fellow employee told me I'd like it, mentioned it to my wife, and low-and-behold it launched on the 28th (today) which is my bday. Seemed serendipitous.

 

[Gennadios]

Was playing since hour 2 of the head start, no problems logging in and only disconnects thus far, one of them was for a game update.

 

[not_you]

Balls. Guess I'll have to wait a bit for a free trial then, since free trials generally only happen when numbers start sagging.

Ah well, I can wait.

That's the great part about Guild Wars...

The numbers hang around for years because it's a non-subscription service...

I know it'll hold my attention for a butt-load longer than SWTOR...
Anyway, I have an MMO to play...

 

[lapan]

I have yet to actually start playing since Dark souls and work take up most of my time.

 

[2xDouble]

Does Guild Wars operate on a single shard like Eve Online?

The entire game is divided into servers, some stationed in the US, some in Europe (Many of which have local language restrictions to facilitate community). This structure allows for the MMORTS-style combat known as WvW, wherein three different servers are pitted against each other to control a map and defeat the others every two weeks.

Each zone has multiple districts, referred to as "overflow servers", to reduce lag and optimize performance. You can, however, jump to any local "shard" at any time as long as there is a member of your party there.

There is also (coming soon) a Guesting system wherein you can play on any server any time.

Server selection does not restrict communication, PvP options (with some exceptions involving WvW, and server guesting/switching), or Guild membership.

Interesting and it sounds more elegant than, the typical shard system, I wonder what the draw backs are.

The biggest drawback, so far, is a difficulty keeping a party together. The systems are being tweaked, but changing zones currently doesn't take your party into account (because the party changes zones individually). This has led to some party members being placed on the "main" server while others sent to Overflow servers in the same zone.

The game doesn't tell you outright that there is a "jump to party member" button (though it does tell you in the help screens, and it's quite obvious if you click around on the Party Status). It does, however, set your party to queue together while on the Overflows. If you are given the option to move, your entire party on that Overflow will be given that option at the same time. In my opinion, this is merely an annoyance if you didn't find this option and a slight inconvenience once you did.

-Snip-

Oh well then.. Just drivers and optimization now I guess.

I do recall there being noted issues with certain graphics cards, though I haven't been able to confirm which.

 

[antipunt]

I...don't usually play games like these. But I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for this one..

i especially like the one-time-ever subscription fee

 

[CharrHearted]

Honestly guys, you have no idea what you're missing, this game is TONS of fun to play.

Collecting all the Vista's, Points of interest, waypoints are tons of fun with a few friends. Combat doesn't feel repetitive and feels great to dodge and shoot, slash and smash!

If you have the 50 quid, buy it, I promise you, you will not regret it. It has a great storyline, with different storylines occurring for every person, small changes at times, the feeling of someone's story being different than your own is what its all about.

The missions and events are really fun, just slap on some of your favourite music, whip out a set of duel pistols and get ready to have a BLAST!