MMAI.5892

I have to wonder if home instance nodes, unlimited gathering tools, and other such utility items will be included in this umbrella since it can be argued that they ease progression through certain in game goals (crafting legendaries/collection completion/crafting in general)

Per the initial question: What do I think will happen (in the U.S.) ? Short version - Not much at this point. Might see some traction in 1-2 years, but I doubt it will go far. Slightly longer version - There will be token bills put forth at the federal level. One of such bills might eventually pass but the real test will be in the final regulations determined by the body(s) given that authority. States probably have a better chance at passing these laws. The main driver for both will be money and whether or not any of them think their voters care enough about this issue to get a boost in the polls. On the state side, the regulations stand a good chance of being largely ignorable due to either a lack of teeth in the law itself or a lack of enforcement. (Same could happen at the federal level, but at a slightly lower chance.) Even if they do pass, it won't take long for the industry to find loopholes to skirt around. All the while kids will still lie about their age and check the "Are you 18 years of age?" in games meant for 'adults'.

This is probably my largest concern. Right now, it's 30 skins. But I could see that any 'basic' skin gets added to this pool along with the occasional 'shiny' skin. Any stand-alone skin(s) would be like the Warforged and be much higher in price.

It's the nature of conversation, perhaps especially on the internet. Overall, I don't have a strong feeling, but I also don't have a high investment in either the game or the company. I enjoy GW2 and would rather pursue skins either in game or for around 400 gems without any RNG. Anything other than that, I just won't get. If the game slants to 'everything interesting is in the gem store with RNG or costs 2K gems' and it's clear that other content in the game in form of story and rewards is mediocre in order to fill the gem store, then I'll move on. My overall guess is that Anet - or whoever made this decision - knew there would be blowback and it's mostly a test to see where the breaking point is for most of the player base. They won't respond inside of a week or two because part of it will be seeing where we're willing to pay for RNG and/or how much more we're willing to pay to not have it. And honestly, if someone(s) are truly being that mercenary about it, then letting the debate rage for a while will push the boundary of "acceptable compromise" higher in Anet's favor.

a.) Nothing. Initial outrage will die down, Wintersday will be upon us, sales of the licenses high enough that it won't matter. The big teller here will be if they really sold out long term success for short term gain.b.) A 'we here you'. In which numbers will be moved around: licenses will be cheaper, mount selectable option, higher prices in gem store to get the exact one you want, or some combination. The cynical part of me will wonder if this wasn't the plan all along as people will praise Anet for 'responding to customers' and 'honoring their players' with an "acceptable" compromise. They will then continue to increase the pressure on lootboxes as time goes on.c.) An 'okay we stepped in it'. In which it's rolled back entirely in as much as possible. I'm banking on A, wouldn't be surprised with B, would be decently surprised with C.

There are a some different factors here that I think deviates this issue (for a lot of people) from BLCs Most of the BLC items that people want are also tradeable on the TP which gives at the very least an alternative method of acquiring them. BLC keys can be earned in game.The price difference - 1BLC Key is 125 gems vs 400 for a shot at the mount roulette wheel. True, the mount roulette wheel isn't going to give you another bank access, but if you dislike the skin, then that difference will be almost meaningless. (TBF, I personally think the BLC keys are way over priced for the odds)There was quite a bit of anger with BLC 'exclusives' - meaning things that could only be gotten through a drop, or BLC skins that weren't tradeable on the TPThere are no other mount skins available in game and the only other mount skin available is significantly higher in cost in the gem storeThe base mount skins only come with 1 dye channel and this does feel like a decision that was made to push people to the cash store. I remember a lot of comments about the spooky mounts of people buying them specifically to get the dye channels and then playing around with dyes to get the best look while 'hiding' the bones. There is a diminishing return with mount skins. Sure you get a new one each time, but how feasible is it that people will use all 30 skins? or even 20? If you luck out and get the skins you really want in relatively few rolls, it will feel like a good investment. If you don't, then it won't.The gaming industry on the whole is generating a lot of ill will with lootboxes, especially in games that you buy and then have to pay extra to get the boxes/keys/whatever. Even though the skins are not required for gameplay, it's been pointed out and I think has some merit, that a significant portion of GW2 endgame is Fashion Wars and mounts are the hot, new fashion accessory. People just bought PoF less than two months ago, this particular loot box package at $100+ dollars feel even more like a cash grab when a lot people just forked over $30 and up to Anet.The general feel (which may be somewhat subjective) that the best skins - weapons, armor, gliders, and now mounts - are only available via the gem store, leaving in game rewards anemic and/or little more than 'farm gold to buy gems to trade in to get what you want'.

While you are not incorrect, I do think it is strange to foist potentially bad business decisions on customers in the form of expecting them to accept and/or cheer business practices they don't like in order to keep the doors open. To put it simply, if Anet, NCSoft or whoever, oversold ROI expectations to investors, or decided to set up additional RNG cash shop items as a means of increasing revenue and profits, that's not my problem. It's theirs. I'm no more obligated as a customer to fret over their profit models than they're required to offer everything with a $1 price to tag to make sure everyone can afford it. I won't go so far as to say I think it unethical. The price and the RNG concept (except for the drop rates) are right in front nor are the skins required for gameplay, but that doesn't mean that I, or anyone, as consumers have to like the model or buy into it. At the end of the day, if the only way Anet can keep the doors open is to push more and more items through the cash shop at either high prices or RNG, there's a chance I'll lose the game anyway because I'll either simply stop playing or only come back for updates that interest me at best.

Another vote for both. I'll always love DH - solid power build and easy to integrate suitability if you solo a lot. The traps were always fun - especially when standing inside of a large hitbox and unleashing GS spin as well. Firebrand adds a condi spec that can also be crafted for a more supporting role. Melting things with ToJ feels just as good as traps. Resolve and Courage tomes seems a bit less useful if your solo'ing, but aren't aweful. Not a huge fan of the heal skill outside of the quickness. Firebrand seems to have a bit more versatility than DH, but I still play DH when I need to bring more CC to the party. The true travesty will always be the nerf to the Loot Stick - I mean staff.

Also, for Guardians - Shield #5 works really well on his first defiance bar. It's pretty much instant and takes his defiance bar all the way down (or did for me). Edit to add: It's Cooldown time will mean it's unavailable for the next string of heal attacks when he does them.