Topic: Guild Wars

[Doc Nyar]

Guild Wars looks like promising game. The graphics look extremely good and as far as I can tell, their requirements aren't anything out of the extrodinary
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
800 MHz Pentium 3 or equivalent
256 MB RAM
GeForce 2 class video card with 32MB RAM
(Recommend: GeForce 3 class video card with 64MB RAM)
250 MB hard drive space
Internet connection

On the 12th to the 14th of May they'll have a demo running. Download the file attached to this post and the download will start (it isn't much).

Note: Yes, it's an online game, BUT no monthly fee !!

[Doc Nyar]

Some screenies (taken ingame ):

[Bako]

WOW .... this looks good .... I'll definately try it ..... atleast try the demo ...

[Doc Nyar]

Same here. I've already downloaded the file and ready to run it on the 12th

[nick]

Snik  
Looks fanfuckingtastic!!
Let me know how it went.  

[Doc Nyar]

Guild Wars

GW is a fantasy based game and it's played online only.
If you start the game, you get the choice of character. You then decide what your
primary and secondary professions are. The various professions are:

Elementalist
Mesmer
Monk (A must have in every party !)
Necromancer
Ranger
Warrior

From the above professions, you choose a primary and secondary. Example, my character is a Primary
Elementist and a secondary Monk. In the first town, you'll find trainers (when you gain a skill point and have
a appropiate Gem, they can learn you the skill of the Gem), traders (armor and Gem) and crafters. If you want
to get rit of stuff you carry, that's where to go to (or just drop them if they're not worth anything).

From there on you can either select to do solo missions, or multiplayer missions. I won't tell to much about the
missions themselfs, as it may spoil the fun. But if you do choose to go for the multiplayer missions, make sure
you're in a party, you won't survive alone.

As far as game play goes, it's really getting used to. When you right click and hold the mouse button, you can
change the camera view completely. With the scroll mouse you have the ability to zoom in, or out if that monster
looks to ugly to see up close

When you engage a battle, you can select which monster to attack and your character will attack when in range.
There's no need to keep clicking that mouse button. The same goes for spells, select target and select the
appropiate spell and your character will cast it. Watch it with spells, if your character isn't in range to cast
the spell on the target, it will move closer to the target, which sometimes may be to close to your likings
(remember to have a Monk in your party ). When items are dropped by monsters (or if you discover one in a wreck)
the game assigns who the item is for. In other words, a monster drops a shield, the game then decides which party
member can pick it up. This "assignment" only lasts 15 seconds. After that, any party member can pick it up. This
prevents close combat people picking up everything and not sharing anything. If gold is picked up, it's
automaticly devided amongst all party members, no matter who picks it up. These features makes the game more
enjoyable. I'm sure a lot of you remember Diablo, where you needed to have good reflexes to get some of the items
that were dropped.

You gain skill points and ability points. Gaining skill points means you can learn new stuff, which depends
on what profession you've chosen. To learn new things, you need to have Gems for the profession you've chosen
(either primary or secondary) and a teacher. Ability points can be used to strengthen areas in which you wish
to excell (for an elemntist for example, increasing your fire skills).

I have to admit, when used to the game play, it's really enjoyable.

Graphics... what can I say, I love the graphics in game. If you check out the screenshots on the official
website (just click the Guild Wars link on top of this article), those are actual ingame screenshots. I'm
not sure iftheir current minimum requirements will run the game the way it should be run though. With that
I need to place a note that the game, while writing this, is still in Alpha phase.

Talking about Alpha pahse, the game does contain a few minor issues, but considering everything, the programmers
have done an excellent job IMHO. I could talk for countless hours more about it, all positive, but I think you should download the demo and get your butts online and have a try yourselfs

I am going to get the game as soon as it get's out and I hope to run into
everyone here when I'm there If I have to provide a rating, I'd say the game gets a 8/10. Not bad for a game that's only in Aplha phase.

[Doc Nyar]

Guild Wars Ingame Guide[/U]

Although the Alpha test has ended, a lot of people had questions about what to do with the options
the game provided. So I decided to make a document about how to do things in Guild Wars.

The people described below can be found in town.

Armor Vendor[/I][/U]

The Armor vendor is the place to be for trading almost anything. If you find weapons in your mission that you
can't use yourself, this is the person to sell it to. Same goes for buying, want a better weapon, just see this person.

Gem Trader[/I][/U]

This person will be the one to talk to when it comes to Gems. Gems are needed to learn skills. Gems can be bought,
or sold here for every profession.

Trainer & Hero screen ("H" key)[/I][/U]

When you gain skill points (press "H" to see if you have skill points remaining to be learned), you can learn a new
skill for either of your professions (meaning either your primary or secondary). When you have a Gem with a skill you want
to learn, walk up to the appropiate profession trainer and learn the skill. Learning the skill will cost you a small amount
of gold, so be sure to have some. When the skill is learned and you want to use it, press "K" and click and hold the
skill. Then drag it to either one of the numberd slots (1 -8) below in your screen. Remeber that it will replace[/B]
the skill you drag it to. Skills can only be switched in town. Once you're in a mission, you can't change the skills
like described above !

On a side note, when you press "H" (Hero screen) to see if you have skills left, you'll also see attributes. If you
have points left (gained), you may distribute those freely among the things seen at the bottom of the screen. The first column
shows what current level you're on for that attribute, the second screen shows the refund (in other words, if you decide to
take those points away, this is what you get back for it), and the 3rd column shows the cost for the next level. One piece
of advise would be not to use every skill listed.. This due to the fact that you get to average in everything. You may be
better of to leave one skill out and excell in one or two. In other words, if your second chosen profession is Monk, you
probably don't want any points distributed in Smite (offensive Monk skills), but rather want these points spend in your
primary profession skills (and use the Monk healing skills). When a number in the 1st row shows Green,
It means that you have an item (weapon, armor) that gives you a + for this skill.

Crafter[/I][/U]

This person has various options. When you select him, you'll get a screen with 4 tabs: Craft, Upgrade, Salvage &
Customize.

Craft & Salvage: When you want an item shown in the Craft screen, you'll need to have he items listed on the
right of that item. Those items can be found as Salvage items. Salvage items that you find need to be placed in the
Salvage tab. Just place the Salvage items in there and click Salvage (Lumber will become wooden planks for example).
Items that you find will show if it's a Salvage, or a Craft item, so you can't go wrong here.

In relation to the above, Salvage items and Craft items are only to be found in missions. You won't find them laying
around in town. So kill a few monsters and you're bound to find those items.

Upgrade: Use this screen to upgrade your weapons, or armor. To upgrade weapons, you'll need 2 things a haft and one other
thing which I forgot (sorry). But when you place an item in the upgrade screen, it'll provide you what you need to put in with it
in order to upgrade your weapon. To upgrade armor you'll need runes.

Customize: With this screen you can customize items for yourself. Just place your weapon for example in this screen and you'll
notice it does additional damage. This also causes that that particular weapon can only be used by you. You can't give it to someone
else in order for that person to use it. So use it wisely.

When items get dropped, it'll state underneath the name what type of item it is (Salvage item, Craft item, Rune, ect, ect). Press [ALT]
to see items dropped

If there are more questions, I'll be happy to answer them.  I hope it'll help those of who may be selected for the beta

[Bako]

well, it seems the final public beta testing is ending today for final release.
have to admit that it looks different from the alpha phase and can actually say it looks good.

ok, it's not EQ-2, but still, it really looks good there.

the final beta testing was from the 29th till the 31st of October.
If you get a chance today, try it out at http://www.guildwars.com.

[Ixchael]

Been playing it this weekend - it's a fun game! I might buy it when it comes out, if I am not too busy playing EQ 2 (which I will definately play).

It's great for casual players too, since you won't be paying for a game you are not playing that often. I know my oldest brother was sold on it after today

[Doc Nyar]

That sounds good. Maybe we could setup a Guild once the game comes out

[Bako]

Just bought a pre-release version from the game ... really loved the WPE this past weekend. Also ordered a version for Condor and I know for a fact that Doc ordered one too, so ....
There are a load of player made screenies, but here's a few I made yesterday.

Notice the hired Henchmen I have in my group.
That's pretty handy when going into a multiplayer level (like Doc and I did) and don't have other people who are willing to join, just hire a Monk, Warrior, Ranger or Elementalist to come with you. This adds extra strength and you're not running the risk of meeting creatures that you have to face alone.

Really nice added feature I think.

Here's me fighting a Mergoyle (Mesmer Gargoyle) with the Monk Henchman healing me.

Check out the nice added extras, like your footprints in the sand. They actually stay for quite some time.

Not sure if they are gonna keep the Multiplayer area of Ascalon around, but this was the multiplayer area during the WPE, called Lion's Arch.

This is what I ment with a group of hired help. If you look at the name list on the right, you'll see what I mean. I am the one holding the Ram's Hammer (in the middle).

Here is another view of the sea, and if you look in the next picture, I've highlighted a piece where you can see a huge swordfish that swims there (non combatitive creature). It's actually not too clear to see because I shrunk the pic and wasn't running on HIgh Res when I was playing this bit.

And finally a view of Doc, as a Elementalist / Monk (if I'm not mistaken)

[Doc Nyar]

To confirm, I pre-ordered too. This means that you're able to play all Beta's, every first weekend of the month, until release. It also means you can alredy "claim" your character name.

Anyways, just to not give you the impression that's it's just guys ingame, just have a look at this girl...



The game itself looks pretty awesome, just have a look at the sky....

[Bako]

yeah, love the way the enviroment looks in the game.
definately looking forward to my copy of the pre-order of the game.
hopefully it comes before the weekend.

[Doc Nyar]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG...

S O L D  O U T...

Thank you for your recent order of the Guild Wars Pre-Order Kit.
Unfortunately, due to great interest in the upcoming November event, we
have temporarily sold out. We will have more copes available in
approximately 7-10 days and expect to be able to fill your order well in
time for the December event.

I am very sorry for the inconvenience.

Sorry for the inconv... *starts to breath heavely*.... WHAT !  

*takes some valium*..... AAAAAAHHhhhrrrggggg....ahhh.... I'm okay now...

[Sardaukar Elite]

Lets stay away from the drugs now Doc shal we....

[Bako]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG...

S O L D  O U T...

*goes and checks his email*


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....................

[Raisor]

BTW, when is it due to be released in the Benelux ?  I read it should come out in December (according to PCGameplay). Is this true ?

[Bako]

ow no, not by a long shot yet. I've read that the official release date is March 2005, but that is yet unconfirmed.
For a fact I know that at least there will be Bate Weekend Events for December, January and February, so I take it that ArenaNet and NC-Soft is going for March 2005.

Let's hope they make it.

[Raisor]

And can I still signup/buy that package for the beta you guys were talking about ? And were do I do so ?

[Bako]

You can do the pre-order and then you get a code for the Beta Weekend Events.
These happen on the first weekend of each month.

Go to www.interactcd.com and look for Guild Wars.
There you find the pre-order.


Good luck.

[Raisor]

Ok, so how does this work ?  I sign up, order the prekit for about 10 Euro, pay another 10 Euro shipping costs, they send it to me, and I'm in the monthly beta weekend ?

[Bako]

correctumundo ....  

[Raisor]

Placed my order today.  So I'm hoping to see you all the first weekend fo january.

[Doc Nyar]

Not the first, but the 2nd weekend (8th of January). The first weekend is the 1st of January and they decided to move one weekend up due to the holidays

[Raisor]

Sorry that's the one I ment.  And wich is very good, as I don't have my kids that weekend (sorry - divorce thing - one week with kids -> not much time, one week without kids -> more time).  
I took part in the open beta in oktober, will my char from then still be available to me ?

I'll be going to read up on the things (professions) you wrote above now.  Boy I can't wait until the 8th of january.

[Bako]

well, your char from the WPE in October is still availabe ...
Most of ours is .. so tours should be aswell ...

I've also started over with lvl 1 chars and to see how much fun that is ... but still, remember that this is also a Beta testing, so bugs do need to get reported ... (just as a reminder to all) ...

hope to see everybody on the Beta Weekend

[Raisor]

Yihaa,
Just got word (well actually it was a mail) that my pre-order kit has been shipped on the 12th of december.  

[Bako]

alright ... you should be able to make the next Beta Weekend then ... xclnt man ...

[Raisor]

YES, and really looking forward to it too man.  Are you guys going to be there too ?  (stupid question probably).  
Do you guys have fixed times you play (morning, afternoon, evening, night ?).

[Bako]

YES, and really looking forward to it too man.  Are you guys going to be there too ?  (stupid question probably).  

what do you think ??

Do you guys have fixed times you play (morning, afternoon, evening, night ?).

again ... what  do you think ??
we're gonna be there as much as possible ofcourse ....