[A Proposal for a Subscription Model in Guild Wars 2]

On 8/23/2024 at 10:51 PM, Drew The Geek.9613 said:

As a long-time MMO player since the 1990s, I've witnessed the evolution of the genre, from the early days of World of Warcraft to the more recent years with Guild Wars 2. Over the years, I've seen many games come and go, but Guild Wars 2 stands out to me as a game crafted with genuine passion. The development team has consistently shown their commitment to making the game the best it can be—squashing bugs, addressing issues, and continually adding new content. They do all this while managing a budget dependent on the community's support through in-game purchases. It's evident that Guild Wars 2 has grown and evolved over the years, thanks to a dedicated team that never gives up. My following thoughts are not a criticism but rather a suggestion to help further support this incredible game.

**Why a Subscription Model Makes Sense**

I’ve never been one to purchase virtual items frequently. For me, it’s only worth it if it enhances my game-play experience. I’m more interested in storage, gear, and overall enjoyment rather than how my character looks. However, I've noticed some challenges in these areas that could be alleviated with a subscription model.

**Storage Concerns**

In Guild Wars 2, storage is a significant concern. Ironically, it's often cheaper to buy another character slot and use that character for storage rather than upgrading storage areas. I've even created a guild for the sole purpose of accessing a guild vault, only to realize the extensive effort required to get one. Additionally, storage upgrades can be frustrating. For example, purchasing a stack upgrade to store 750 items instead of 250 only applies to the material vault, not to the bank or personal bags. These limitations can be frustrating and detract from the overall experience.

**Gear Frustrations**

When it comes to gear, I’m less concerned with appearance and more with functionality. While I appreciate the freedom that legendary gear offers in allowing players to switch stats, the process of crafting legendary items is incredibly long and complex. It wasn't until I found a third-party website that I was able to craft a few pieces. I’ve always believed that crafted items should either be superior to or at least more cost-effective than those available for purchase. The introduction of Secrets of the Obscure has been a step in the right direction, offering legendary components more accessible to players. However, the current system still favors those willing to spend money, which, while understandable, creates a barrier for players like me who prefer to earn their way.

**The Case for a Subscription Model**

Given these challenges, I propose that Guild Wars 2 considers introducing a subscription model. I’m aware that the topic of subscriptions can be divisive, and I’m sure the Guild Wars 2 team has weighed this option before. However, I believe a well-balanced subscription model could enhance the game’s experience for players while providing a more stable revenue stream for the developers.

Here’s what I propose for a $15.00/month subscription:

1. **All Storage Unlocked for All Characters**: This would immediately solve the storage limitations many players face and make the game more enjoyable.

2. **Unlimited Character Slots**: Players could experiment with different builds and professions without worrying about the cost of additional slots.

3. **$5.00 Worth of Gems Per Month**: A small but meaningful bonus that allows players to purchase in-game items without needing to spend extra money.

4. **Access to All Expansion Content**: This would ensure that all players can enjoy the full scope of what Guild Wars 2 has to offer, regardless of their financial situation.

**What Happens if the Subscription Expires?**

If a player lets their subscription expire or cancels, they would lose access to the features unlocked by the subscription. However, I propose that certain unlocks, like character slots, be available at a discounted rate during the subscription period. This way, players who value permanent unlocks can still benefit from the subscription without feeling penalized for unsubscribing. Additionally, players would retain any unspent gems and would lose access to any expansion content they hadn’t purchased outright.

**Balancing Revenue Streams**

I understand that introducing a subscription model could potentially reduce revenue from gem sales. However, I believe that many players who are hesitant to invest in digital items might see a subscription as a more valuable option, potentially offsetting any loss in gem sales. The subscription model would also provide a more predictable and steady revenue stream, which could be beneficial for planning and development. Offering multiple subscription tiers (An example would be: month-to-month for $20.00/month, six months at $108, or one year at $180) could also encourage longer-term commitments and boost revenue.

**Conclusion**

Guild Wars 2 has thrived thanks to a dedicated team and a passionate community. Introducing a subscription model could provide the game with a more consistent revenue stream, allowing the developers to continue enhancing and expanding the game we all love. It would also offer players like me a way to support the game while gaining meaningful benefits that improve the overall experience. With the right balance, a subscription model could be a win-win for both the developers and the players.

Thank you for considering this proposal, and I hope it sparks a conversation about how we can continue to support the future of Guild Wars 2.

no.

[Achievment unlocked: BUTCHERING Spear]

On 8/27/2024 at 2:39 PM, Lithril Ashwalker.6230 said:

its not infinite

lol. Did you even play pre-nerf spear ? SA was more than enough to keep stealthing over and over and over and over. Combined with daredevils other 50000000000 tools to avoid damage it was impossible to actually damage a staff thief.

[Woad Armor]

Just play WvW. It's not hard.

[Your Top 5 Problems or Concerns of WvW]

Boonball. That's it.

 

They have way too much sustain, I'm fine with the damage a boonball can pump out, it should be a lot of damage with a lot of players.

 

But to have infinite access to stab, prot, resolution and aegis every 5 seconds is just not okay.

[Achievment unlocked: BUTCHERING Spear]

Oh no, I can no longer abuse spear 3 to stealth infinitely with like 0 initiative cost. 

[Let Loose nerf.]

3 hours ago, Leo.5829 said:

No, no, Ranger had to be nerfed it was way too strong. The nerf was a good thing. It was so strong you couldn't join a squad in WvW unless you played damage Soulbeast or damage Untamed. You just got kicked unless you played those. They were too strong. They were top damage, top strips, top cc and top utility. Game breakingly strong. It made all the other classes futile. And don't forget in roaming it just was unkillable and defeated every other class together in a 1 v 8.

So true honestly. 🙏

[Let Loose nerf.]

15 hours ago, HawaiianDreads.5473 said:

Don't even want to imagine how WvW is now as a untamed. >.<

Oh it's great as celestial, seems its the only thing Anet wants roamers to play.

 

Charr forbid you get useful power builds...

[Let Loose nerf.]

I mean if they want us to play Cele there are builds that rangers can run that gives no one fun, even worse than cele harb, but if anets wants us to play that, then fine.

[Let Loose nerf.]

2 minutes ago, DanAlcedo.3281 said:

In what game mode? 

Because it got quite the nerf in PvP. 

In WvW, its overperforming and disgusting there.

[Let Loose nerf.]

Bladesworn untouched. 

Mirage dagger untouched

Harb untouched.

 

Untamed nerfed. What ?

[Let Loose nerf.]

Not only that but power bladesworn is STILL not nerfed ?

[Let Loose nerf.]

WHY Anet, why are you nerfing this trait so badly ? Untamed was already bad for roaming, with let loose barely making it playable, and now you remove fury from Let Loose ? What the actual kitten ? This entirely removes it giving us opening strike, which cuts a huge deal of our damage.

 

NOT ONLY THAT, but you nerf OWP in THE SAME patch ?!

 

Do you want us rangers to only play cele or something ? 

 

Absolutely so let down by the changes.

[Celestial IS balanced.]

On 7/24/2023 at 6:04 PM, ilMasa.2546 said:

He's using reverse psychology: if something doesn't work Anet does nothing. BUT on the other hand if you say that it is working perfectly Anet will surely get their hands on it.

No this is very serious, I mean it.

[Celestial IS balanced.]

I said it, it had to be said, I'm sorry, but celestial gear is balanced, your stats doesn't reach as big as three or four stat sets, I think the issue no one wants to learn how to play and counter builds that uses celestial, if it wasn't balanced then no one would run anything but celestial. It's balanced, people just need to learn to play around it.

 

I have died several times on celestial harbinger, and people say celestial is unkillable, people just need to stop overreacting.

[Just put the Skyscale in the shop [Merged]]

14 hours ago, Okhu.7948 said:

It would spit in the face of people who worked on it when it was difficult. Earn it like everyone else.

Eh, it was never really difficult, just took a bit o’ time, that’s all.

[What will EoD be remembered for?]

On 5/26/2022 at 8:50 AM, DanAlcedo.3281 said:

WvW Players: Did something happen?

I wanna say you're wrong out of copium but.. You're right. 😔

[Celestial Harbinger]

On 4/20/2022 at 10:44 AM, bluberblasen.9684 said:

Harbinger and specter need big nerfs in wvw.

No, neither does tbh, Have you ever tried power harb or power spectre ? 

 

Both are miserable compared to the condition versions.

[WvW roaming builds for untamed?]

Good build for untamed ? Soulbeast builds !

[Please give us a longcat tonic]

Give us longcaaaaaat

[Please give us a longcat tonic]

I agree 100%

["Why the long face?" "Why the long cat?"]

Please Arenanet do not remove this, make it a feature for the open world, this is 1 bug I do NOT want fixed.

[Catalyst Feedback Thread]

2 minutes ago, ArjukKagrim.6049 said:

Today's patch hardly fixed the crushing blow of last patch. The dps still is trash compared to all other classes. That compared with the nonexisting utility is the final nail in the coffin and the spec won't be use for any instanced pve-content...

Catalyst is fine, just because it's not overperforming anymore doesn't mean it's bad.

[March 29 Game Update Preview]

23 hours ago, Aetheldrake.6395 said:

maybe it won't be a dead profession anymore!

It was never a dead profession in PvE. 

 

Ele mains..

[World Linking 3/25/2022]

Does Northern Shiverpeaks even have any players on it ?

[Relinks this week! Friday March 25th]

On 3/22/2022 at 6:53 PM, Xenesis.6389 said:

Shockingly Eredon Terrace has switched population rank places with SBI from medium to high! will they stay with TC for the 3rd straight relink and finally get the ppt boost to t1 again? (nope!)

 

I hope not, nothing against ET players but I do not want to play with them for a 3rd time in a row.