Black Raven Dragoons

[Grimblast]

Last night I finally got my video editing software reinstalled since my last computer upgrade and ran some tests to find the settings I used to use. I realized that after almost a year, I hadn't posted the video of us doing the Mad King as well as the karka invasion finale some of us managed to take part in. Today or tomorrow, I'll try to get those videos posted for our and others enjoyment.

Also, I'm going to start recording more in game stuff such as boss strategies that we've been using. I've noticed a shortage in such explanation/walkthrough's for Guild Wars 2 so I'm going to be "That Guy" and start posting that kind of information online. After a full year, the boss strategies haven't changed so I'm certain the strategies Elade has shown us aren't changing anytime soon. I should soon have a mic for recording so I'll actually have some voice explanation since again, what videos that do exist out there, lack narration to help guide people through encounters or jump puzzles, etc.

If you recall from back in our WOW days, I did a bunch of video recording of us doing our silly stuff as well as dungeon boss fights and I'd like to get back into that mode again for Guild Wars 2.

[Elade]

I think the reason we don't see a lot of walkthroughs (and many that are posted don't explain their tactics on purpose) is cause people don't want to be Anerfed (somebody copyright that, stat!)

Also, it's kinda entertaining to watch all these people on the forums whip themselves into a frenzy about whether players are morally obligated to play the content as intended. Who wants to fight malaria or world hunger when we can argue the ethics of computer games?

[Zancarius]

Also, it's kinda entertaining to watch all these people on the forums whip themselves into a frenzy about whether players are morally obligated to play the content as intended.

I think that's pretty hilarious, personally. Half of the fun of playing a game is to play it in a way that wasn't intended. The other half is using game mechanics in new, creative ways. Is it really an exploit if you're using a game mechanic the way it was designed?

In my opinion as a developer, exploits are--at their core--bugs. Glitching through a wall would be an exploit, whereas avoiding a scripted fight by using game mechanics (mesmer portal, standing out of aggro distance) is not. I can't help but think that part of Arenanet's motivation with nerfing various strategies is in part because of the elitists who, as you suggested, feel "morally obligated to play the content as intended." Arenanet is no moral authority, and I don't remember Blizzard being quite this obnoxious about nerfing shortcuts. I'm sure they did on occasion, but they never went to the extent of making you clear the entire raid to complete it (and in fact, I have to wonder if their motivation often was to include extra mobs for those who wanted to rep grind).

It'd be nice if they realized that, perhaps, the reason players skip content is because the dungeon is obnoxiously long to begin with. If you've already done the content once, you're going to be inclined to take the path of least resistance, which is to do it as quickly as possible. Besides, if they're that concerned about making certain people "enjoy the content," why don't they remove the "skip to end" button in the cutscenes? In some ways, it's little different from skipping scripted content or mobs...

[Elade]

Well, given Arenanet's propensity to take money out of EVERYONE'S hands, it makes sense to ensure that the game's best way of making money is as long and grueling as intended.