Times Techland writer Matt Peckham released an article today where he details eleven things found in Guild Wars 2 that either need improvement or are just personal gripes that he really had to search for, I mean really hunt down these gripes. Let’s review his list and give our opinion on these items. 

1. Overflow without pop-ups.

Response: When logging on immediately you get sent to an overflow server if you cannot access your main server which is a great idea for those gamers who, like me, have little time to waste in queues. The problem is when you’re in the middle of something like fighting a massive boss and having this large box keep appearing if you do not click it, distracts and likely kills you in its attempt to be helpful.

The idea should a joyous pop-up that whisks you back home but really staying in the overflow server is more convenient.

Matt did mention a possible solution:

I’d also like to see an option to stay on the main server once you’ve cleared the queue. Currently, you pop back into overflow if you teleport around or enter/exit an instance. It’d be nice if the game could somehow track who’d cleared overflow and held their spot until they actually logged out of the game.

2. It’s a shame you can’t work crafting stations from your bank inventory.

If you want to craft, you have to have all your ingredients on your person. That makes sense using real world logic, but this isn’t the real world, and you can access your bank account from any crafting station, including the “collections” tab that stores all your crafting loot. Why can’t the crafting tables tap your banked collection? Having to transfer this stuff just seems punitive, and for no sensible game-related reason.

Response: This does make sense when you think about it and we have seen other MMOs pull the same solution for crafters. Having access to your bank without having to pull out the items every time removes that annoyance we as crafters have to deal with in the game.

3. Giant freaky-looking birds drop chainmail shirts.

Response: This is where I disagree because if logic has been removed for bank inventory then the same can be said for a giant moa dropping chainmail vest. The one I have been looking for by the way.

4. If a combat-related world event starts without you, the story gets lost in the muddle.

Response: While it does hurt the immersion of the game when you do not get the why of the situation, it really is a side effect of coming in late to the party.

Yes ArenaNet could have npcs shout out why this is happening but you run the chance of this tearing on player’s nerves if they have to listen to the reason every time a new player joins the event.

5. Some of the work isn’t very dignified, and it’s all inherently itinerant.

In Guild Wars 2, you’re essentially a vagrant, dropping by farms to shovel up weeds, drop grub repellant on goo-spitting bugs, set traps, remove traps, smash supplies, herd cattle, haul kegs and so forth. You’re also dependably ineffective, momentarily rectifying a problem, only for it to reappear, moments if not seconds later. I’ve read complaints about the logic-snapping, immersion-killing downsides of certain story-related moral choices (just a few — not all), but the area and dynamic world event system has that beat, in terms of making you aware you’re just playing a game, by a long shot.

Response: There is a valid point to this but to ensure players get the chance to experience an event without having to wait longer than 30 to 40 minutes at a time, this becomes a necessary mechanic in a game like Guild Wars 2.

If events did last longer, players would either miss them entirely never knowing they existed or feel like there isn’t enough events in an area for leveling or fun.

6. Why can’t I see my queue time for World vs. World?

Response: A visible timer for WvW would be great at least one that would give an estimate.

7. Is it possible to see your daily timeframe cycle?

Response: As most know this is midnight each night, or 5 PM PST.

8. Skill challenges range from riveting to so-so to “That’s it? Really?”

Response: While I would love to have every skill challenge blasting my senses to the outer rim, I find myself thinking that there is really no way to overcome this.

Not giving excuses to the lack of interesting skill challenges but thinking time management is something any developer has to deal with.

Hopefully from here on out ArenaNet will spend more time focusing on more elaborate/interesting skill challenges from now on.

9. We need a better interaction system than “F.”

Response: If it is a matter of loot, having auto aoe loot all would be great but if it’s just talking to an npc, you can always right click.

10. Can we get a player achievement comparison option?

It’s one thing to see you’ve accrued 300 achievement points while your friend has 276 or 324 or whatever, but it’d be really nice to know where those achievements point are allocated.

Response: Matt makes a valid point and one I am personally waiting for ArenaNet to follow with. The game is meant to be social so then having a little friendly competition will further this by seeing where my friend’s achievements are placed and where I need to work on mine

11.  The game has close-quarters camera problems.

Response: I think we all can agree the camera needs work in this area. I constantly find myself getting the camera stuck in areas when I am exploring or doing vistas or even just simple fighting.

Check out the full article and let us know in the forums if you agree or disagree with these points.