[Where's the official response to the download/launcher being utterly broken issue?]

Welp, no it didn't.

[Where's the official response to the download/launcher being utterly broken issue?]

@Healix.5819 said:

show previous quotesLaunch GW2, confirm it's stuck, then exit and launch with:

-log -image -assetsrv 54.84.216.160 -patchconnections 1

(see the wiki for how to launch from the terminal)

If it's not stuck, let it download a few files, then exit and launch normally; repeat if necessary.

If it's stuck, let it download for about 5 minutes, then exit. Post Gw2.log (~/Library/Application Support/Guild Wars 2/Gw2.log)

If you have an alternative connection, also try that. For example, if you're using wireless, try wired, or connecting through another device or a VPN.

This just worked for me so far. I'll update if I get the download completed.