Mark of a good game: how much there is to talk about

[Dharus]

I do think chatter helps drum up interest and keep it drummed up. To generate chatter, you need a dynamic environment that's not TOO dynamic. Enough impactful change to discuss, but slow enough to give us time to discuss it.

I agree. A lot of it depends on the mechanics. Once a playerbase figures out the mechanics and situations become more scripted then a game becomes boring. Even PotBS port battle tactics became fairly static and then it was all about who was there and which ships they were in which became another issue.

So, I think a mark of a good game is that there are mechanics in place that hit that sweet spot of player chatter/interest. Even if those mechanics are good, additional development must take place to promote more talk. If PotBS had new port battle maps added every 6 months to a year, then that aspect of the game would still be interesting. If WW2 online added new historical equipment ever 6-12 months, then the feel of the game in battles would change over the static map. Instead a lot of games get bogged down in the other mechanics (usually balance) to even bother with new development to generate chatter.

My prediction is that GW2 chatter will slowly fade once the servers settle down into a more routine WvW similar to what happened in PotBS RvR strategy and port battle strategy. Then I fear that the development for GW2 will be more geared to get people to purchase from the store vs actually developing the game itself. Personally, I think the DDO (a niche game) F2P concept is the best out there. Pay for new experience or play your life away to get it for free.