Guild Wars 2 Coming To Smartphones

[JohnnyV]

We've come a long way in the gaming world. What was once a console/PC experience has now integrated itself into almost every facet of our lives. For the best example, one only need look at their cell phones.

Arenanet is banking on the latest surge of iPhone/Android based games and apps, as they've announced many of their plans regarding Guild Wars 2 apps for smartphones.

Check it out.

---------------------

Gaming Outside the Game: Rick Ellis Talks The Guild Wars 2 Extended Experience



- Ellis is a tech director at Arenanet. His charge is to develop extensions for Guild Wars 2 outside of the game itself.

- His team is looking for interesting ways of taking the experience of the PC game, and providing it through mobile means. Mostly the communication/social aspect of the game.

- While other games have one way systems which pull data from the game and present on a website or app, A-Net wants their apps to be able to work both ways.

- One app they showed off at PAX was one where players could open up a map of the game world. They could then follow their friends and see what they were doing in game. This would also allow for in-game communication, so you will be able to chat with people on your friend list.

- Some other features A-Net has mentioned is the ability to help in-game friends locate items, and to access wiki content while having the game window open.

Common Questions
--------------

Q: When you say “mobile,” what exactly does that mean?

A: Initially, we will be offering applications that will run on iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Android smart phones.

Q: I don’t have a smart phone; will we have the same functionality on the web?

A: Yes, we will provide similar functionality for web users.

Q: Does this mean I can play Guild Wars 2 on an iPad?

A: Well, I’ll never say never. However, the iPad is certainly not the same caliber of gaming machine as a PC…yet. Having said that, there are certainly aspects of gameplay, not far from the experience on the PC, that a mobile user might be able to enjoy.

Q: All this social stuff sounds cool, but what if I don’t want my guild messaging me at work?

A: Rest assured, we will not be doing anything that allows personal or private information to be shared, and we will provide functionality that allows you to determine who can contact you and when.

http://www.arena.net/blog/gaming-outside-the-game-rick-ellis-talks-the-guild-wars-2-extended-experience

[Izari]

I'm pretty excited about the GW2:X idea (Although I worry about if all this will be free. I have a feeling some of that might be pay-for-content.)
Still, though, as much as we hate to credit social games like Farmville with anything, we have to give them some credit for bringing about this revolution.

So much in online games now is social, even in MMORPGs. Anet knows damn well that keeping players connected when they can't be traditionally connected also keeps them hooked.

This is both exciting a little scary to think about!

[JohnnyV]

Yes, I foresee a mix of both paid/free apps. The more extensive, and gameplay related, the more we will probably have to pay.

And it's kind of scary to think that we never will leave the game experience. I can just see myself at the supermarket, grocery shopping while helping guildies finding where a boss is on my Android phone. Yikes.

[Ruse]

Yeesh. This sounds "Big Brother"-ish.

Venn: (from work) Whatcha doing?
Ruse: Oh, uh. Just, um, farming materials. *nervous laugh* Yep, farming mats.
Venn: Oh yeah? Well I see you on the map in Divinity's Reach. You're visiting Logan Thackary again aren't you? Aren't you?
Ruse: Sorry, you're breaking up! Call you later. Aheeh...hehe...eeeh....


On a serious note, I am in desperate need of a new phone (mine's becoming increasingly more eccentric). This sort of makes me want to look into a smart phone even though I always thought they were pointless before.

[Izzy]

This makes me want an iPhone or Android just for this app!

[Venn]

iphone 4 has limited charges. So keep that in mind when choosing a smartphone.

[Mrfoot]

iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Android smart phones.!!! WOW GW2 for Ipod would be sick! or PSP in a hack n slash style GW2 omg! that would be epic!