Feature Request: Library

With all of the lore books coming that we find in the game and collect now, I feel it's time to add in a proper library feature where we can peruse at our leisure without worrying about clogging our inventories with items that have zero gameplay impact.

My proposal is this: Add a library either in our home instance or accessible through the Hero panel (or both) that holds all discovered pages of lore. Much like the wardrobe, obtaining a new book permanently adds its contents to this library, ideally sorted by story chapter it was found in (i.e., Icebrood Saga, subsection chapter 1) or the map it was found in (i.e., Jahai Bluffs). Personally, I prefer it divided by story chapter, as that allows things like multi-map collections to be collected into one place for quick reference.

A script should be capable of being run to obtain books already discovered by checking against the various collections and achievements tied to most of them. Those already found in this way could be automatically added to the library. I don't personally know if this will end up catching every book found, but it will be most of them.

This idea will allow players who want to be able to go back and read the lore to do so without stuffing dozens of books into their bank or inventory, allow easier locating of desired writing, and possibly get more players interested in the lore since they can look up what they already found without leaving the game.

EDIT: Udolpho.1209 had a great idea of the Durmand Priory being another possible location that this library could be located.

Of course if it’s done it will be for between 500-2000 gems right?

@Strider Pj.2193 said:Of course if it’s done it will be for between 500-2000 gems right?

Really shouldn't be. This is more akin to the story panel.

@"Strider Pj.2193" said:Of course if it’s done it will be for between 500-2000 gems right?

Nah, you will be able to get a basic bookshelf from a short collection in game. It will have 5 slots for books.

Any additional shelves are sold on the gemshop for 300gems per 5 slots of shelf space. There will be "legendary" shelves featuring a special skin and 3 extra slots for 1600 gems as well as a literature teleportation device(800gems) that will let you read anywhere you like.

Throwing this idea out there:It would be cool if there was an instanced (?) library room in the Durmand Priory with a named Librarian NPC/s and you donated the books you found completed to their collection -- like, a room & book collection named after the Commander. The walls and shelves are bare, and as you find each book they go up on the shelf, which you can then go back later to and browse or read again (though I also like the idea you can access in the hero panel, like browsing the catalogue and finding the ebook version). Maybe they could be like quests, where you got a reward for donating the book to the Priory. More book shelves appear as needed. Of course they would be shelved in a system that makes sense, it's a library, that's what they do. You could even see missing gaps in the collection that might prompt you to go looking for that book. And you wouldn't need to be a member of the order to donate books and read your own collection...

I think it would be more fun as a real in-game thing than something in your home instance or bought from the gemstore.Maybe there's a magic object in your home instance that will take you directly to the Commander's library room if you touch it...

Also you could gain titles based on your donations, like Librarian -- or Book Shelver, Library Page, Library Assistant, Library Technician, Librarian, Information Specialist, Research Librarian, Archivist, Head Librarian, Dean of Libraries...

@Drarnor Kunoram.5180 said:

@Strider Pj.2193 said:Of course if it’s done it will be for between 500-2000 gems right?

You effectively asked for what amounts to another storage panel.

Bank slot: 600 gemsBag slot: 400 gems.

So yeah, they are gonna monetize it.

I'd like some place to store my books.But I also think Arenanet would monetize it hard.

@Strider Pj.2193 said:

@Drarnor Kunoram.5180 said:

@Strider Pj.2193 said:Of course if it’s done it will be for between 500-2000 gems right?

I'd be really iffy on them monetizing it. Yeah, some people would pay, but these are for items that A: many people have destroyed/sold or B: never actually went into the inventory in the first place (see all of the books collected for Sun's Refuge). There is no gameplay value to the items themselves, unlike storage space options currently available.

It's also possible, depending on implementation, for ANet to slip extra tidbits in for those who check on their library frequently. If, say, the library was in the Priory, maybe some researcher slips another book onto the shelf in an update, giving a fun little extra for people who like re-reading lore they found. It could even be worked into a future story episode just to let players know exactly where to find it.

@Drarnor Kunoram.5180 said:

It's also possible, depending on implementation, for ANet to slip extra tidbits in for those who check on their library frequently. If, say, the library was in the Priory, maybe some researcher slips another book onto the shelf in an update, giving a fun little extra for people who like re-reading lore they found. It could even be worked into a future story episode just to let players know exactly where to find it.

I like the idea actually.Though, think you should suggest it in QoL thread.

@Drarnor Kunoram.5180 said:[...] or B: never actually went into the inventory in the first place (see all of the books collected for Sun's Refuge).

Those books do go into the inventory, you just don't have to save them as they are also automatically added to a bookshelf.

It is definitely not a good idea to monetize a "personal library". This is a feature that, if introduced, should be part of whatever "base" the player chooses - such as their Home, their Order HQ, the Sun's Refuge, or whatever as long as it's a specific location.

Instead, monetize easy access to these areas/instances, similar to the Home Portal Stone or the Mystic Forge Node. Sell convenience, not the feature.

Add it please, even if you monetize it. Just make it a one time purchase for a reasonable price and not like 5 slots basic for free and absurd amount for every expansion. I just can't destroy books even if I never read them.