Guild Wars 2 Server Choice

[Amaretta]

As Xaja stated it looks as if TEG and Heet are joining the Stormbluff Server.
It seems that GOD, Krzy, and Dei are going to Jade Quarry.

Please cast your vote and let us know which Server you have a preference for in GW2 or if you don't want to stay in BGN that is ok also, but either way let us know what YOUR opinion is

This poll will close in about a weeks time so that we may tally the votes, until that time you can change your mind

[Quintare]

For those that haven't been to the GoD forum lately, it looks like the jury is still out over there. Currently they are split 46% to 46% between Stormbluff Isle and Jade Quarry, though from the tone of a couple of older posts it may be that a couple of guilds there are going to Jade Quarry regardless of the poll.

Can't fault them for that as TeG is going to Stormbluff regardless of the poll. At least with the new system you can join multiple guilds if you like. I'm happy to invite any of the old alliance to join us whether you choose to represent or not. At least for the time being the membership cap is a non-issue for us. So, I hope you choose to make your home nearby, but failing that I hope you will stay in touch and come guest with us at the least.

Oh, and I voted for Stormbluff so I could see the poll results. No hard feelings if you want to invalidate that vote.

[Asya]

Seeing as how PvP depends on the home world, and that I'll be PvP'ing with the members of LOV (as hardly anyone in BGN PvPs), my home world will be on Jade Quarry.

~Asya

[Quintare]

So, you're saying I have to lure Karl to Stormbluff then? Hmm... challenge accepted!

[RedArrow]

So, in the long run, what do you all think about this multi server business? I don't quite understand why ANET couldn't stay with what we had... is it a money thing? (Charges to move around?) Are we going to have to deal with server down times as in Aion and EVE? I really hate that.
I will no doubt buy a second account around release time so I may split them. I want to get more PvP involved but I also want to be a crafter which I have picked on while playing Aion Maybe an Uber bow crafter... what else lol.
Anyway sorry for sounding like such a noob but I really just haven't had the time to keep up.

[Aerynrox]

If you're a noob, then I'm an uber noob.
I have no idea what's going on! I'd like to end up on the same server with BGN and alliance folks who like to PvE. Not sure how much PvE will be affected by the choice. It sounds like PvP is more at issue.

[Quintare]

Kind of a primer on this server issue as I understand it:

I think the point of the server division is so they can have a meaningful World vs World game. Because it's competitive with real benefits as a reward, the system WILL get gamed by people looking for exploits to compensate for their lack of skill. Making the server choice global and permanent for the players will prevent hordes of people from switching to whatever server happens to be winning and skewing the competition as a result (either deliberately or not). This is also why you cannot play WvW as a guest on another server.

On the other hand, complete lack of mobility is bad for players in the long run because communities change and people need to be able to congregate with their friends. So they make it cost something, and they limit switching to once per 7 days to make it meaningful even to those who don't care about the expense. Remember you can buy gems with in-game gold so it's not entirely a cash-grab by the developers. It's a way of making the server choice significant.

Along this line of thinking, in GW2 you can join multiple guilds and you don't have to be on the same server to do so. In the first beta I created an Ethereal Guard on the Darkhaven server, and Uchi created an Ethereal Guard on whichever server he selected. They were independant of each other, and yet we both joined the other guild. You choose which guild to 'represent' in your guild management screen, so if you end up on a different server than your friends you can still join their guild, chat with them as usual and participate in their guild. You just can't be in the same virtual space as them unless you 'guest' on their server. However as a guest you cannot compete in World vs World as that has a server-wide impact on the game.

Hopefully that covers it without being TL:DR, but if you have questions I'll do my best to answer them.

[Fester]

I'll go wherever the majority of the guild goes, but I voted for Stormbluff.

[Chay Darkhaven]

Where the *is* Karl? He posted a "Hi!" on our new site Shoutbox but didn't register or come back...*sob*

[Amaretta]

Just an update. It seems as if those whom have voted, majority is Stormbluff for BGN.
It also looks as if TeG and Dei will also try and join Stormbluff Server upon launch.
The votes on the GoD forum seems to be in favor of Stormbluff.
Heet however, according to Chandris has indicated that they may or may not go to Stormbluff but will decide just prior to the headstart event.
So unless votes or opinions change, it looks as if BGN will be looking to start GW2 in Stormbluff Server.
Now, if Arena net does not change all the server name we as a group at least have an idea as to where we will be starting.
Thank you all for your votes on this matter.

[Quintare]

Yes, there has been some debate at the Stormbluff Isles Alliance forums on what server to roll out on. Most of which seems pretty pointless to me as there are only 42 servers worldwide to handle well over 3 million players. There are some who seem to think that some miraculous revelation at the last minute will make everyone regret the choice of Stormbluff, but I can't see how it will turn out to be anything more than a case of the grass being greener on that side of the fence.

It does appear right now that calmer heads are prevailing, even Izzy has stepped into the fray to say switching servers this late in the game is unwise and pointless, so I will be surprised (and a bit horrified) if there is a last minute change.

However, if there is Chandris will post it on their site, we'll have it posted on our site and in our Facebook group. I will try to get over here to post as well, but lets be honest, I'll be juggling a lot of balls for the first couple hours of launch so I don't want to make any solid promises.

[Aerynrox]

Thanks, Quintare, for explaining why this choice is important. Sounds like it's going to be Stormbluff!

[Chay Darkhaven]

SQUEEEEEE!!!!

[Fate]

I will go wherever BGN goes. Not sure how much time i'll get to play because of IRL though.

[Aerynrox]

It's the same for me, Fate. Limited time to play, but I'm still really interested to see what GW2 is like and to do it with friends.

[Xaja]

Just an FYI for everyone Ellla Pm'd me on Facebook and informed me that GoD has chosen to go with Stormbluff Isle. Louden stated on the alliance forums that Dei will be joining them on Stormbluff Isle as well. So in my opinion the decision seems to be settled, everybody has chosen Stormbluff and will be there. Guild Wars 2 here we go, Stormbluff Isle, he were come!

[angelspassion]

Thank your for the update....Stormbluff Isles, right around the corner. I believe the intensity of my addiction to Guild Wars will lessen with GWs 2, but I really want to get into the new world with familiar Guild and Alliance names.

[Chay Darkhaven]

SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!
soon as I get my official asura dance, I will do the asura Chaychay happy dance!

[karl]

Hi,,,,,,,,,

Zee LOV shack will be running around naked on Storm Bluff Isle world.

10 days and counting..........................

[Quintare]

And just in case someone doesn't get the message in time:

"First of all, players will be able to move servers at will for a while after release so that they can play with their friends. Since the game is launching with the ability to switch servers, it should come as no surprise that, in the event that ANet needs to open new servers, players will immediately be able to transfer servers (for free if you're coming from select crowded realms)."

massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/guild-wars-2-chat-with-game-designer-mike-zadorojny/

[Asya]

Looks like guesting on other servers will NOT be available at launch.

huntersinsight.com/2012/08/17/it-aint-all-golden/

Everyone said that Anet would "release the game when it is ready"...

[Quintare]

I'm sorry Asya, but this guy is digging really deep to find stuff to be outraged about. The statement ANet made about guesting was vague at best, spin it how you want to, but his issue seems to be more about how you can't be a 'guest' if you don't have 'friends'. Well... umm yeah, you need an invitation to be a guest. The other two things he simply doesn't know what he's talking about because we have only seen a small portion of the content that's ready to go.

[Yoko Nishi]

So Stormbluff for launch? I'm not following all the Alliance stuff on other sites, so be sure and post if something changes.

[slingblade]

Stormbluff is fine with me. No better reason to go anywhere else. I think LOV is leaning that way, too.

[Xaja]

Stormbluff is the final server decision I think. Of course anybody is welcome to go anywhere and guest as they please.

[Quintare]

I've been trying to keep up with everyone, and it seems stormbluff is far and away the leader in the debates. TeG, HeEt and LOV are certain to go there. Nearly all of the GOD alliance have decided to go there as well, though there might be some hold outs for Jade Quarry.

Changing of servers will be free for the first week or so, and guesting will be available at some point as yet not announced. However, choosing Stormbluff is the 'safe' option if you are undecided.

[Julie Sturbridge]

Just did the d/l and am heading to Stormbluff!