For those of you who were wondering how seriously ArenaNet were taking Guild Wars 2 as an e-sport, here’s another hint: E-sports casting legend djWHEAT (of Counter Strike, Quake, and Starcraft 2 fame) will be at the PAX Alienware booth casting some of the Guild Wars 2 PvP action!
We’ve talked a lot about the importance of potential e-sports being spectator friendly, and the important role of commentators and casters like djWHEAT, so this is huge news. Having such a big name in e-sports being brought in at the premiere of the format, the very first time the public will see it, is a very promising sign.
Keep checking back here for more details as they are announced. We’re still trying to find how if the matches will be streamed live, or recorded for release later.
Being a huge fan of the upcoming release of gw2 and djWHEAT , I am so excited to see this.
Holy F... I am ecstatic! I can't wait for GW2 and djWHEAT casting it definitely speaks volumes about how serious they are about making it into an esport.
I wonder how much DJWheat knows about Guild Wars. Anyone know if he played the first one? And they were right about the 'big name in e-sports,' I'm much more likely to watch now even though I'm not planning on buying GW2.
The joke about this whole "taking esports seriously" thing for GW2, however, is the fact that they aren't even inviting top GW1 guilds to these events. At Gamescom for example, they're inviting an Aion guild to play their PvP instead of anyone involved with GW1.
Still hoping that it'll actually be competitive though. GW1 was a highly competitive game at the highest level of GvG, but it never grew/got better and became neglected in favor of PvE content for the same reason it was good to begin with, ArenaNet. So, I'll believe it when I see it for GW2.
I'm so glad we are sending one of our best representatives for the SC2 community to PAX Prime.. with MLG the same weekend the fear was we'd be lacking a strong SC2 presence at such an important convention.. wheat is a hero <3
I don't really have high hopes for this one given ArenaNet's terrible NERF EVERYTHING CHANGE EVERYTHING approach to balance, but maybe I will be surprised.
On August 13 2011 10:20 Angra wrote: The joke about this whole "taking esports seriously" thing for GW2, however, is the fact that they aren't even inviting top GW1 guilds to some other events. At Gamescom for example, they're inviting an Aion guild to play their PvP instead of anyone involved with GW1.
It comes down to trust. BOON Control obviously has some relationship with NCSoft, and ArenaNet knew they could be trusted to keep their mouths shut. I'm assuming that they've been practicing on the demo build for a little while now, at least.
The high level Guild Wars players, such as those on the balance forum, demonstrated that they didn't really respect confidentiality.
So thats why he went to PaX guild wars 2 :D. I did NOT KNOW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE PVP O.O. MUST WATCH THIS. GW1s was the best pvp experience ever, GvGs and HoH <33333333333333333333333333333333333333333
On August 13 2011 10:19 Natsumar wrote: I wonder how much DJWheat knows about Guild Wars. Anyone know if he played the first one? And they were right about the 'big name in e-sports,' I'm much more likely to watch now even though I'm not planning on buying GW2.
I played the shit out of GW1. VXIX was a top 15 guild in Vanilla. I am the reason why they added UAX to GW1 (after relentless bitching week after week on the original Weapon of Choice). I always felt like GW GvG had a lot of potential as a bigger eSport game but there were some early realizations by ArenaNet that really stunted their ability to make it happen. They did make the right steps (obs, UAX, etc, but GW1 was certainly a stepping stone for them and I just hope things shape up properly.
From my understanding they are going to have some ArenaNet folks actually playing and helping teams build comps. I really hope some old school GW1 guilds do make it out there.
Been starting to wonder if you've even been thinking of GW2, Wheat, given how you've been taken so heavily by Starcraft lately that you didn't cast Quakecon last weekend and such. I don't really have time to watch your shows that often anymore so maybe you've mentioned it and I just had no idea. Glad to see you're keeping an eye out, though.
Wish I could go. PAX Prime is on my list of things I want to attend before I die I still want to go, but its sold out. blargh
edit: that said, if someone happens to have some way of acquiring a 3-day pass... let me know ^^
On August 13 2011 10:19 Natsumar wrote: I wonder how much DJWheat knows about Guild Wars. Anyone know if he played the first one? And they were right about the 'big name in e-sports,' I'm much more likely to watch now even though I'm not planning on buying GW2.
I played the shit out of GW1. VXIX was a top 15 guild in Vanilla. I am the reason why they added UAX to GW1 (after relentless bitching week after week on the original Weapon of Choice). I always felt like GW GvG had a lot of potential as a bigger eSport game but there were some early realizations by ArenaNet that really stunted their ability to make it happen. They did make the right steps (obs, UAX, etc, but GW1 was certainly a stepping stone for them and I just hope things shape up properly.
From my understanding they are going to have some ArenaNet folks actually playing and helping teams build comps. I really hope some old school GW1 guilds do make it out there.
Just wondering class you played in GvGs? Plz dont say flag running cause that has to be one of the most boring things ever, I don't understand how people wanted to play it oO.
well this is interesting. I will tune in for sure, please tweet before it goes live coz i will probably be watching mlg aswell. Also, if you happen to get any spare beta keys, wheat, be sure to send one my way <3 ^_^
On August 13 2011 10:19 Natsumar wrote: I wonder how much DJWheat knows about Guild Wars. Anyone know if he played the first one? And they were right about the 'big name in e-sports,' I'm much more likely to watch now even though I'm not planning on buying GW2.
I played the shit out of GW1. VXIX was a top 15 guild in Vanilla. I am the reason why they added UAX to GW1 (after relentless bitching week after week on the original Weapon of Choice). I always felt like GW GvG had a lot of potential as a bigger eSport game but there were some early realizations by ArenaNet that really stunted their ability to make it happen. They did make the right steps (obs, UAX, etc, but GW1 was certainly a stepping stone for them and I just hope things shape up properly.
From my understanding they are going to have some ArenaNet folks actually playing and helping teams build comps. I really hope some old school GW1 guilds do make it out there.
Just wondering class you played in GvGs? Plz dont say flag running cause that has to be one of the most boring things ever, I don't understand how people wanted to play it oO.
On August 17 2011 02:55 tGFuRy wrote: why wheat why... Why did you have to do this to me... The ONE MLG I go to and you're not there. DEEP SIGH: Anyways good luck have fun.
If it makes you feel any better, I had agreed to do PAX well before MLG released their dates. Trust me if I had to choose one over the other, I would have gone with MLG just to keep the continuity flowing! But I can't be TOOOOOO upset cause I get to play GW2 PvP
On August 17 2011 02:55 tGFuRy wrote: why wheat why... Why did you have to do this to me... The ONE MLG I go to and you're not there. DEEP SIGH: Anyways good luck have fun.
If it makes you feel any better, I had agreed to do PAX well before MLG released their dates. Trust me if I had to choose one over the other, I would have gone with MLG just to keep the continuity flowing! But I can't be TOOOOOO upset cause I get to play GW2 PvP
The entire guild hates you and loves you at same time. How is this possible?
Ok, so it's confirmed, in Guild Wars 2 you'll be able to log in and take your level 1 character to PvP, it will scale you up to level 80, your gear doesn't matter, you’ll be just at a small disadvantage.
At 12th minute in:
In a different video I heard observer mode won't be there at launch (probably manpower issue) but they'll try to figure out a good way for people to observe/rewatch matches.
And the WvWvW PvP is being alpha tested now, I've heard something about 4 maps, 500 players each. Close beta expected this year, release date “when it’s ready”.
On August 13 2011 09:40 Mifec wrote: Holy F... I am ecstatic! I can't wait for GW2 and djWHEAT casting it definitely speaks volumes about how serious they are about making it into an esport.
Don't jump into false conclusions. They never wanted to make in an esport out of gw2 and they probably won't.
I highly doubt that djWheat will have his fun with commentating the game, it's just button smashing all over the place... No comparison to other high level pvp games... It will be a nice PvE game with a fun pvp mode, but it won't be esports at all. That was never their intention.
On August 13 2011 09:40 Mifec wrote: Holy F... I am ecstatic! I can't wait for GW2 and djWHEAT casting it definitely speaks volumes about how serious they are about making it into an esport.
Don't jump into false conclusions. They never wanted to make in an esport out of gw2 and they probably won't.
I highly doubt that djWheat will have his fun with commentating the game, it's just button smashing all over the place... No comparison to other high level pvp games... It will be a nice PvE game with a fun pvp mode, but it won't be esports at all. That was never their intention.
I thought gw2 is a lot more pvp focused. Where are u getting that info from? Its true gw1 is mostly pve. But gw2 isn't right right??
For a second, I though PvP meant Protoss vs Protoss, not Player vs Player. Too much Starcraft for me, lol.
Anyways, I very much look forward to Wheat's cast of Guild Wars 2. From what I've seen and read so far, GW2 is a winning product that will be absolutely amazing (and with no subscription fee too).
If the PvP is even half as good as the rest of the game, then I will be impressed.
On August 22 2011 23:18 KeksX wrote: Don't jump into false conclusions. They never wanted to make in an esport out of gw2 and they probably won't.
You're absolutely wrong. The developers have repeated several times that their goal with the GW2 PvP is making it a successful e-sport.
They say that, but whenever they are asked a question about the competitiveness of 5v5, and what happened to GvG, they end up diverting it to WvWvW somehow. Also, the fact that they spend so much more time showing the PvE, and the fact that they chose "conquest" mode as their organized PvP of choice says otherwise. On top of that, they don't seem to have much connection to top GW1 guilds, instead opting to bring in random EU guilds from other games that did not have as competitive PvP.
On August 13 2011 09:40 Mifec wrote: Holy F... I am ecstatic! I can't wait for GW2 and djWHEAT casting it definitely speaks volumes about how serious they are about making it into an esport.
Don't jump into false conclusions. They never wanted to make in an esport out of gw2 and they probably won't.
I highly doubt that djWheat will have his fun with commentating the game, it's just button smashing all over the place... No comparison to other high level pvp games... It will be a nice PvE game with a fun pvp mode, but it won't be esports at all. That was never their intention.
I thought gw2 is a lot more pvp focused. Where are u getting that info from? Its true gw1 is mostly pve. But gw2 isn't right right??
You have it the wrong way around. In its prime, GW1 was the place to be for MMO PvP. When the game started dying is when the focus switched to PvE.
That being said, I hope that with someone like DJWheat casting, and maybe some better players, that I can be proven wrong. I've been extremely excited about GW2 since they announced it in what, 2007 ( -_- )? I'd rather my wait not be all for naught.
On August 23 2011 04:55 Disciple7 wrote: They say that, but whenever they are asked a question about the competitiveness of 5v5, and what happened to GvG, they end up diverting it to WvWvW somehow.
Not really?
They clearly said there will be no GvG, and they clearly said the reason why 5v5 conquest is the new GvG is because that's what works best with the new game (they did say they tried different game modes for competitive play, and they ended up with conquest).
I don't get why the fact it isn't GvG nor Arena automactically makes it unable of being an esport. WoW is/was an esport yet it wasn't very skill-based (beastcleave global in MLG anyone?). As long as the game is balanced I can't see why not, 5v5 conquest is still something that requires a lot of coordination.
Technically, there's a "hidden" advantage folks gain with the switch from 8v8 to 5v5. IF, and that's a big IF, the game does manage to find a spot in the competitive gaming world, it makes sense to travel around a team of 5, versus a team of 8. This was one of the reasons why Battlefield LAN's were actually quite limited (mostly locally) because not too many teams had the chops or the backing to be sending 8 (and possibly 9 with a coach) people around the world to compete. Especially if the prize money is "low".
And don't forget, in the grand scheme of DEVELOPERS SUPPORTING ESPORTS. It was ArenaNet who first put together the GW Championships and awarded $100k. Before LoL, before DotA2, etc... it was GW who set that standard.
They don't seem to have enough servers (a lot of people - slow loading) but the first part from the Alienware booth is up. It starts with a Battlefield 3 interview followed by 2 GW2 interviews and a few 5v5 matches, all with djWHEAT .
EPT
I still want to go, but its sold out. blargh
