A Letter to Our Fans [from Mike O'Brien] - Guild Wars Forums

Regina Buenaobra · Feb 16, 2009, 07:41 PM

We just posted this to our website:

Quote:

A Letter to Our Fans

To our fans,

There have been some published rumors over the past few days about Guild Wars 2 delays, and I'm writing you today to set the record straight.

You've all seen announcements about restructuring at NCsoft West, and it's natural to wonder whether that restructuring impacts ArenaNet's Guild Wars 2 development. In fact, the reason NCsoft West is restructuring itself is so that the company can put all of its focus into its top-tier games like Guild Wars 2. Our team continues to grow, and has the strong support and financial backing we need to achieve our goal of making Guild Wars 2 the best online role-playing game ever created.

On Friday, NCsoft released investor materials that showed a very broad release window for Guild Wars 2, with the explanation that release timing is still "to be announced." ArenaNet has never given a release date for Guild Wars 2 other than "when it's done." NCsoft's investor materials are a reflection of that philosophy.

I know some fans had hoped for a smaller gap between the launch of Guild Wars: Eye of the North and the start of beta testing for Guild Wars 2, but we communicated last summer that it would be some time before we could commit to any beta or launch dates. Guild Wars 2 is a large and ambitious game, and we're going to take the time to do it right.

I'm immensely proud of what our team has accomplished and continues to accomplish with the development of Guild Wars 2. We'll have a lot more to say when we're closer to release. Until then, we thank you for your continued interest and ask you to stay tuned.

Mike O'Brien

fog_of_redoubt · Feb 16, 2009, 07:53 PM

Sounds like 2011 is now confirmed

At least they finally broke the silence.

*Kattar* · Feb 16, 2009, 07:55 PM

I wonder what they think is going to keep people interested until 2010/11?

Thanks for posting, Regina. I probably would have missed this otherwise.

Gun Pierson · Feb 16, 2009, 07:58 PM

'When it's done'

You guys learned that from Blizzard didn't you?

Anyway, thanks for the communication.

pumpkin pie · Feb 16, 2009, 08:06 PM

hrmz this does not help at all actually. It actually confirms that Anet is unsure of when they will be able to release the game, since they tell their investor that the launch will be much later then anticipated, hence the word "delay" I was quite comfortable not knowing anything, this actually shaken my believe just a little bit lol. oh well.

Arkantos · Feb 16, 2009, 08:07 PM

So the game is most likely going to be released in 2011, and we're not going to get any information until at least 2010? I really don't understand this business plan. Announce game in 2007, no good information until at least 2010, and nothing to keep players interested?

Oh well, at least Blizzard will be able to keep me entertained until then.

snaek · Feb 16, 2009, 08:16 PM

thx mr. gw person! ^__^

i wonder if the live team was created because of this
or if that was an entirely separate thought process...i.e. they mite consider doin sumptin additional on top of the live team?

Dr.Jones · Feb 16, 2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

'When it's done'

You guys learned that from Blizzard didn't you?

Anyway, thanks for the communication.

i think that is blizzards exact words. i wish they would do some | other things like blizzard......

ajc2123 · Feb 16, 2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsumi

I wonder what they think is going to keep people interested until 2010/11?

Thanks for posting, Regina. I probably would have missed this otherwise.

Life

Other games

School

Friends

Titles

I practically quit GW 1 except to sign on and talk to my guildies. Still gonna check out GW2 though.

SerenitySilverstar · Feb 16, 2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt

Sounds like 2011 is now confirmed

At least they finally broke the silence.

Enough with the trying to read between the lines and putting words in their mouth. Why do people have problems with honesty? They're being as honest as they can be within their NDA.

Good on them for saying "O hai". They didn't have to waste time quelling the chuntering of the vocal minority.

Apollo Smile · Feb 16, 2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkantos

So the game is most likely going to be released in 2011, and we're not going to get any information until at least 2010? I really don't understand this business plan. Announce game in 2007, no good information until at least 2010, and nothing to keep players interested?

Oh well, at least Blizzard will be able to keep me entertained until then.

Nothing in that letter said that. Again, assumptions.

Nomme Moon · Feb 16, 2009, 08:51 PM

Not to be negative, but I'm glad to hear you're proud of what your team has accomplished GW2 wise, because none of your players are.

"We'll have a lot more to say when we're closer to release."

So, we'll finally hear about what GW2 is and if it even exists in 2010 or 2011? "closer to release" is a pretty broad statement this far out. Seriously, if you even had the slightest doubt that the game wouldn't have any information released until 2010 at the earliest (which is what this statement implies,) why in the bluest of all hells did you announce the game in 2007? That's absurd.

This entire past week has justified my subscription to WoW more and more, while also confirming my suspicions that all you guys had completed at the time that you announced GW2 was a long egotistic press release and a fancy high def logo for the game.

Starsky-sama · Feb 16, 2009, 08:55 PM

Really liked the start of the letter, right at the point of "to set the record straight."

but then nothing after that...I thought "here it comes a date or something:....nothing.

I havent played anything since I took my break, and havent posted here since this "new letter".

So, I guess take your time and make it rreeeaalll good then.

cheers. (Ill be waiting

)

Arkantos · Feb 16, 2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo Smile

Nothing in that letter said that. Again, assumptions.

Yes, I'm giving my opinion and making assumptions. Welcome to discussion forums.

Quote:

So, we'll finally hear about what GW2 is and if it even exists in 2010 or 2011? "closer to release" is a pretty broad statement this far out. Seriously, if you even had the slightest doubt that the game wouldn't have any information released until 2010 at the earliest (which is what this statement implies,) why in the bluest of all hells did you announce the game in 2007? That's absurd.

They had to explain why Guild Wars wasn't getting any new campaigns.

Professor K · Feb 16, 2009, 09:08 PM

All conspiracy theories aside, I am glad to see that Mr. O'Brien took the time to make a statement of sorts. I believe it was Shigeru Miyamoto who once said, " A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever". If ArenaNet wants to make the best MMORPG ever, it will take time. Even if it isn't the "best MMORPG ever", I would prefer that one of my favorite developers set their sights so high.

Skyy High · Feb 16, 2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomme Moon

Seriously, if you even had the slightest doubt that the game wouldn't have any information released until 2010 at the earliest (which is what this statement implies,) why in the bluest of all hells did you announce the game in 2007? That's absurd.

Hasn't this lame protest been shot down a hundred times already on this forum? What else should they have done, not announce that they were making a sequel and leave us all wondering why the heck we aren't getting any more expansions?

pamelf · Feb 16, 2009, 09:18 PM

There was no "setting the record straight" in that whole thing at all. It was just more PR crap which told us next to nothing except to basically warn us that nothing will be heard of or seen for a very, very long time.

masterjer1 · Feb 16, 2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

'When it's done'

You guys learned that from Blizzard didn't you?

Many of the original programmers came from Blizzard, so it is not really a surprise there. I for one, would much rather have a well polished game than one that is rushed out and doesn't meet expectations. I can wait, at least I won't be spending $15 a month to play a game that I already bought.

Fates · Feb 16, 2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike O'Brien

There have been some published rumors over the past few days about Guild Wars 2 delays, and I'm writing you today to set the record straight...

You forgot the "set the record straight" part. God that's a useless letter.

Scarlett Romanov · Feb 16, 2009, 09:25 PM

We all know they'll release the game when they're ready. Release dates are always like this with ever game. Its certainly not news to anyone who plays video games.

I just they'd share some information about the game in the meantime. The lack of information about the game is why people are so pissy about GW 2. Again, I suppose we shouldn't be so angry since all games go through similar development cycles.

Right now, I'd be satisfied with concept art. I would promise to be a very good girl the rest of the year if ArenaNet decided to bestoy such a gift upon the rest of the GW community and myself.