Demajen over at his blog has an interesting article discussing the "sense of hitting" and uses videos from The Secret World and Guild Wars 2 to demonstrate his point. I'm unsure from when in TSW's development cycle the videos are taken, but boy does it look rough compared to Guild Wars 2. I think the feeling of hitting an opponent in Guild Wars 2 is the best I've ever come across, especially now that critical hits have the blood splash.
Feral Engineer have two interesting articles this week from Feral and Yahikodrg, his new accomplice. Both raise points about the current state of the Engineer as well as discussing its turrets while suggesting several changes. I'm looking forward to the next beta weekend to see what has changed.
Trigger Sad has an excellent article at Talk Tyria titled: Dying From The Colours. The editorial explores the current dye system and makes some comparisons to Guild Wars 1. The only concern I have with the dye system at the moment is the fact I couldn't open those I found, to actually identify them, so one character in particular has dozens I simply cannot use. What are your thoughts on Guild Wars 2's dye system?
Still with Talk Tyria, there is also a brilliant piece from ValerieAnnC that explores New Krytan: The Language of Tyria. Definitely worth reading.
RPGamer have a brilliant interview with producer Chris Whiteside and Lead Game Designer Eric Flannum.
Kekai Kotaki this week announced his departure from ArenaNet. I've linked this article for nothing more than an excuse for you to all go and look at his amazing artwork. What I find most interesting is the fact his art style shares so many similarities with Daniel Dociu though that is something I'm not sure could ever be considered a negative. I really love Kekai's work simply because its always pure fantasy.
Over at Hunter's Insight, they have an article giving a very brief first impression of each Profession. Isn't it amazing how we all react differently to each one? His impressions of the Mesmer I found particularly amusing.
Distilled Will has published the second part of his Philosophy and Religion in the New Tyria.
Over on Reddit, they've published survey results put together by JimmyBisMe, from a sample size of around 3,700 people. The survey covered an array of topics, but it isn't surprising to see the Engineer was the least played profession. Make sure you hit the image link to see the graphs.
Lastly, Nerdy Bookahs have a huge screenshot gallery of Hoelbrak. I've barely visited the location as I intended to save most of it for launch. I'm praying that AreanNet make use of snow and weather effects in a future sPvP map. Snow makes everything look amazing.
If you have any news, editorials or community work you feel warrants our attention, make sure you let me know by dropping me an email at lewisb@tentonhammer.com or Tweet me @PersistentWorld
Comments
sounds great ^^
I am so looking forward to finally play GW2 - bought it a while ago at this site http://tinyurl.com/ccm4m86
and played one of the last BWE ;)
Hopefully I can actually see and play Wednesday being a stress and all. It's not very long either.
Its a simple world for complicated people
I was very disappointed with the articles on the engineer profession... essentially complaining, "I can't fit this square peg into this round hole!"
There are PvE builds and PvP builds for EVERY profession. As for the "claims" that the engineer profession isn't capable in PvP, well... somebody REALLY needs to let this guy know that, because he's pretty much running around smashing face with 3 or 4 different engineer builds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAFoxfLl34&feature=relmfu
I'm sure all of the poor warriors, mesmers, etc who are on the receiving end of the beat downs will be happy to hear that the engineer profession is broken and useless.
The point being, the reports of the engineer's demise have been GREATLY exaggerated (by folks who lack the skill or imagination to make use of the profession's capabilities.)
I apologize if that comes off as argumentative or even abusive, but I'm really starting to get my back up about all these folks making false claims of weakness about the profession. If you don't like, or it doesn't fit your particular play style fine... pick a different one. Trying to use skills that are basically some of the profession's "PvE" repretoire in a PvP setting and then claiming the profession is broken simply doesn't fly with me.
I have personally played 7 of the 8 professions over the course of the first two BWEs, and they are ALL more than capable in EVERY part of the game. Some have playstyles that don't particularly suit me personally, but that in no way means the profession is "broken" or needs fixing. It simply means that profession is not the one for me.
I've seen some credible critiques of professions, but this whinging about "His numbers are bigger than mine!" is a load of crap. I could have sympathy for their so called plight if there was even a whiff of veracity to their claims, but there is not.
TL:DR version: Learn how to play noobs!
You know, I think you're absolutely right Archer. I've made suggestions in relation to the Engineer many a time, especially in my article Black Sheep, but all that aside the profession is incredibly powerful.
I couldn't agree more about this being a square peg/round hole scenario; it's as if people are forcing the profession into something they want it to be, rather than what it is. I've played the Engineer a great deal and even in my infancy with GW2 (my Engineer PvP video) I still feel I did exceptionally well. Now, I can merrily take on two players at once and win almost every time.
The only issues I have remaining are a couple of traits, the mine kit (though the standard boon removal now makes it awesome) and a explode turrets being on the skill bar rather than Toolbelt. Other than that, it really does melt faces especially if you actually specialize in condition damage.
I'm hoping to get a new Engineer video up from tomorrows test to demonstrate it.
Has the boon removal for the mine kit been confirmed? If so, that is definitely something I will enjoy using from this incredibly versatile profession too.
As far as whether the profession performs best in PvP with condition damage or direct damage (as we've seen quite a few folks complain about) my only answer to that is; "Dead is dead..." If I can achieve victory over an opponent with condition damage as fast, or even faster, than I can with direct damage then sign me up for the condition damage! They can keep the "big numbers" as long as I'm winning the fights. ;)
Regarding the suggested switch of the "overcharge" skills and the "explode turret" skills; I certainly can't make any good argument against it, and I think the point you made about the "Ingenuity" attribute from the Tools trait line being applied to the overcharge skills instead is spot on.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the profession evolves between now and launch, but I know it will be in my personal top 2 favorites (with necro natch ;))
I prefer the term "partner in crime"
Yup, I do indeed prefer that.
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