Unless there is something pressing this site will no longer be updated. Comments may be checked once per week.
The contest was won by Stacy, she can be reached on a character named Jili if you wish to confirm that the contest was paid out.
The information will remain up for anyone who finds value in it.
See you in game.
The One Day Head Start begins today and I want to ensure that everyone who is trying to participate in the contest is able to. If you’ve had issue mailing me in game (again mail Syrden Alexan) you can contact me via whisper using shokenaw.1987 to add to your friends list.
Also, there are only approx a dozen entries so far. This means your chances of winning are great!
One further thing: The 50 dollars worth of gems WILL be converted to gold to make the exchange as gems are unable to be traded in game. I knew this when creating the contest and intended to explain this clearly and failed to do so. All of the exchanges will be screenshot and used as proof that the gems exchanged for whatever the value is at that time.
Sorry if this caused any confusion.
Again thanks for your interest everyone, and good luck!
I understand today’s mail issue may be preventing some of you from contacting me as requested. At this point I would like to give Arenanet a little more time to resolve this issue before changing tactics. I do have a back up plan in place, but I feel it would be hasty to change everything before Arenanet is given the chance to correct this issue.
Again, if you have any concerns please feel free to contact me in game (you can send a tell to Syrden Alexan)and I will assist you if I am online and not currently busy. Please note: I may be afk so you may need to try a few times.
Thank you for your patience and interest. I will keep this post updated if something changes.
Ladies and Gentleman, there is less than 24 hours until Head Start breaks open the servers and millions of players world wide bathe Tyria with bloodshed and, if the Norn have any say in it, mead. We here at GuildWars2Epoch have something special for fans of the site as well as the game to commemorate this day in history.
Launch Party Contest!
The rules are simple. On this website ¤¤ there is a secret phrase, find it and then when the servers go live send me an in game mail with your account id (mine is shokenaw.1987), email address and what the secret phrase is. My character name will be Syrden Alexan but use my ID to add me to friends just in case something happens and I cannot get that name. Just for doing that little tiny thing you will be entered into the draw. The winner will be chosen by Random Number Generator on September 1st 2012.
I know, I know, you all want to know what you could win. Well before I get to that I want to let you know the contest will be running:
August 25th 3:00 AM EST to August 31st 11:59 PM EST
So, I figure you’ve read enough words by now and you’re super excited to know what the big prize is if you win. Well, there will be only one winner of:
$50.00 Worth of In Game Gems!
Steps to Victory!
Find the secret phrase ¤¤
Check the site frequently for updates on how many entries there are.
Check the website on September 1st for the winner.
Failure to follow these steps may lead to your entry not being valid.
UPDATE: Syrden Alexan IS the character name.
Written by Shaiel (Original Source) Editted by Shokenaw.1987
Now, a naming convention is just that. It is not a hard and fast rule that must always be obeyed, it’s not a law, it’s a general standard that most names follow, or by which they are measured. In the West, in the real world, the standard naming convention is . Not all people who live in the West, however, have names that follow that convention, either because they come from a cultural background with a different convention, or because they’ve changed it for some reason. Or, of course, they may have a name that follows the convention, but may instead be known by a nickname, a title, or some other name that doesn’t meet the convention.
The fact that some, or even many, names don’t meet the convention doesn’t mean that there isn’t one. For the record, my names don’t always follow the convention, but if they don’t there’s usually a reason or back story behind it.
The various races and (amongst Humans) ethnic groups draw from particular real world cultures and languages. So to name your characters appropriately, if you wish to do so, you just have to know the naming conventions for that particular race.
Charr
They are given a name to claim, which the cubs within a single warband derive their surnames, such as Fierceshot or Doomclaw.
This warband serves as the primary social group–and the only family–that a young Charr will ever know. Although cubs are aware of their lineage and their parents, adults have neither an interest nor a hand in the education, rearing, or growth of a young cub once delivered to the legion’s Fahrar. The legion (and the cub’s new warband as a part of that legion) comes before any blood ties.
The primus warband of any legion carries the name of that legion–Ash, Blood, Iron and in the case of the Gold Legion, Flame. This singular legion is hereditary, but the leader must claim the name through blood challenge–a fight between descendants of the Khan-Ur for supremacy within the legion.
Occasionally, non-descendants of the Khan-Ur join the Primus Warband, taking the name of their leader as their own, as is Charr tradition. But the leader of the Primus is always a descendant of the Khan-Ur, the foremost heir of the Legion and their rightful inheritor of the crown of leadership among the Charr.
It is also possible for Charr to leave the Warband of their youth, either due to a promotion or to perform a specific duty, or even because the Charr cannot fulfill assigned duties. A Charr moved from her original warband still holds loyalties to that first “family” (and therefore, such movements are unusual), however, that Charr must change her name and quickly learn to fit in with new companions or she will be nothing more than meat on the battlefield.
Like to use nicknames such as Pyre, Swift, Rend, Ember. The first half of the ‘surname’ is the name of the warband, and the second half is some attribute of that particular Charr. This is why in GW1, you had Pyre Fierceshot (ranger), Swift Fiercejustice (monk), Bonwor Fierceblade (warrior), Seer Fiercereign (ritualist), Gron Fierceclaw (assassin), etc; they were all members of the Fierce Warband. Given names (with only a few possible exceptions) are not from real world cultures. Related real world cultures (but not for naming, as above): the ancient Mongols, the Roman Empire. They also draw from the Industrial Age, which is not, of course, a ‘culture’.
Note: in GW2, Charr names have evolved somewhat and now draw more heavily on Latin/Roman influences.
Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda of Anet said the following on the Anet blog:
‘One of the lore elements of the game that I find the most fascinating is the cultural evolution of Charr names. In the original Guild Wars, the Charr were brutish, savage zealots, and their names reflected this, echoing growls and roars—“Maim Deathrain” “Slaug Firehide” “Kaargoth Bloodclaw” and the like. 250 years later, the Charr are the most technologically advanced race on Tyria, and their legions (though competitive as always) have fortified themselves into a far more organized and ranked force. Though the classic names are not wholly gone, most Charr names have echoed this cultural change, drawing exhaustively from classic Roman influences—and not just classical names, such as Aestiva and Gracchus, but military sources as well! A ballista is a large siege weapon that was used by ancient Roman forces—but it’s also got a fantastic ring for a Charr moniker.’
Human
However, not all human names, even in GW1, fit that convention and I’m sure that those in GW2 won’t either. There were quite a lot of single name human NPCs in GW1, as well as those who used other patterns as well, such as Lady Engelram and her husband Lord Engelram, Jamora the Wise, Beldon the Blade, Sarah, Gwen, and Gwynn.
So, although the human naming convention is for multiple names, with the different human cultures using different conventions and drawing from different cultures, it is by no means unusual for single names, typical fantasy names, or descriptive names to occur. And they are all still lore-friendly. So I officially withdraw my only half-joking comments on a single name human. I guess I hadn’t really stopped to think all that out bit by bit.
With humans, you just use the appropriate cultural human naming conventions. Although everyone is now in Kryta, many of those living there now are the descendants of refugees from the other continents and nations, who fled to Kryta. So what we have is a cultural melting pot, with the people coming from a number of different national/ethnic backgrounds.
Ascalonian: English, with some other northern European names thrown in.
Kurzick: German Gothic.
Luxon: Mediterranean, mostly Greek.
Canthan: Asian, mostly Chinese, but some Japanese, Korean, etc.
Orrian: Arabian, Hebrew, Farsi (Persian).
Krytan: overall European, primarily southern/southwestern/western Europe.
Vabbian: Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi.
Istan: North African.
Kournan: Eastern and sub-Saharan Africa.
Asura
I did find a quote where they talked about the Asuran naming convention of one name – and compared it to the human convention and how some Asura used more than one name in order to fit in with human naming conventions [included below]. This does, at least, show by implication that the convention is for humans to use more than one name.
Posted 16 February 2010 – 10:53 PM
This is what our lore masters, Jeff Grubb and Ree Soesbee, had to say about Asuran naming conventions:
Jeff:
“The Asura do not have last names or surnames. They may take on honorifics (“The Mighty”) or titles (“Councilor”), but the nature of family is different among them (as seen by Vekk and Gadd). Their names tend to sound like a SFX from Mad Magaine (Ker-Flunk!). Male names tend to end in a consonant. Female names tend to end in a vowel.”
Ree:
“The Asura are ‘not from around here,’ so their names do sound a little odd to human ears. Usually, their names consist of a short, sharp first name of one or two syllables (‘Vekk’). Those with two-syllable first names, particularly if the second syllable being a -a or -i (Vekka, Vekki) tend to be female – or get teased horribly in Asuran primary studies schools.
In social usage, Asurans follow the human tradition of Jobname Name (‘Crew Leader Zeen’) rather than having a last name as humans would identify it. To the Asurans, their job title and their krewe are the most important distinctors that one can have. It’s typical for an Asura to use his krewe’s name as a last name when dealing with humans, although this can also sound funny to those used to Krytan conventions – Fivv of Universal Necrotics, or Blira of Hyperthetical Industries.
There are a few instances in the two hundred plus years between GW1 and GW2 where unconventional Asura have taken on a more ‘human’ naming pattern in order to better socialize with their targets… er… friends. Those instances are rare and fairly uncommon, and other Asura make a habit of conveniently ‘forgetting’ about their friend’s embarrassing eccentricity.”
Often use double letters, particularly consonants.
Female names end in a vowel, especially ‘a’ or ‘i’. Male names end in a consonant.
(They)Don’t have family names (surnames), but they may use honorifics (The Mighty) or titles (Councillor), or a pattern of Jobname Name (Krewe Leader Zeen), or use their krewe’s name (Fivv of Universal Necrotics, Blira of Hyperthetical Industries).
They may take a more human naming pattern ‘in order to better socialize with their targets … err … friends’. In cases such as this, which are rare, other Asura tend to ignore the Human surname, which is seen as an embarrassing eccentricity. Are usually a ‘short, sharp first name of one or two syllables’.
Norn
Related real world cultures: Norse, Viking, 9th Century Germanic.
May have a ‘title-like’ surname such as ‘the Guardian’
May have a typical fantasy surname such as Truthseeker, Poundfist, Shadowhunter.
May use a patronymic – the father’s given name + either ‘son’ or ‘dottir’.
Sylvari
Have only one name – no surname.
Related real world cultures: Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic.
Use plant names as well as Celtic/Gaelic names.
Name Ideas for All Races: http://forums.ashenfold.com/showthread.php?tid=486&pid=2491#pid2491
Guild Wars 2 Guru Thread: http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/11186-gw2-character-naming-resources/
Immersion: What the Heck Is It? (Written By Vayne: Vayne’s Blog )
When reading game reviews, it’s not all that unusual to see the word immersion bandied about. Many games, of course, are immersive. You can get immersed in anything. You can become immersed in Tetris, for example, or even sweeping the floor. You just get into something. That’s immersion. However, when applied to the RPG genre, including MMORPGs, immersion means something slightly different.
Yet trying to describe it has been a problem I’ve been bashing my head against for several years now. Here’s why. When a person is a raider, they generally know it, because they raid. When a person identifies themselves as a PVPer, they know it too. Yet those who play MMOs who consider themselves raiders and PVPers are actually a very small percentage of the population. Same with role-players, who are close cousins of immersion players like me…with some noticeable differences.
One thing that seems to crop up on forums over and over, are people who want to play an MMO solo. This infuriates people who don’t get it, and ask, repeatedly, why are you even playing an MMO? I’ll be answering that shortly, but first, I’d like to give you the first version of my immersion definition that I’d painstakingly worked out over a long period of time.
We don’t want to play a game. We want to experience an alternate reality. We want to feel the world, not just see it…the sun on our brow, the wind on our cheek. We don’t need realism, but we demand plausibility. Good graphics are a plus, but good aesthetics are essential. Sounds should orient us, and help set the mood. Music should reach into our souls. We’re looking for atmosphere, not just action. When we’re victorious, we want to be able to roar and when we’re defeated, we want to savor the pain of it. We want to feel as if our time in your world is meaningful…that we’ve accomplished something. We want the world to come alive for us.
I was quite satisfied with this definition, until I met Temper (a guild mate of mine from Age of Retribution, a Guild Wars 2 guild I’m in) and she summed up, not only the definition of immersion play in one sentence, but also how it differed from role-playing. Note that Temper was able to do in one minute (with one sentence no less) something I was unable to do in years. This is what she said.
A role-player plays a role in an RPG with other people, where as an immersion player plays a role in a world, but the “other player” is the world itself. She also pointed out that Guild Wars 2 is going to be much better than the original Guild Wars for immersion, because you get to play underwater. She should have quit while she was ahead.
The point is, this is quite true. The people who are playing MMOs as solo players (and there are a lot of them), are looking for an immersive experience that most games can’t give you. They want a changing world, such as the world Anet claims it will be offering in Guild Wars 2. A world where your actions have consequence. We’re the players of single player games, who want a “bigger” experience, not something over in 20 hours or 50 hours, yet something that immerses us in world and lore and story. We want to live on that world, not just play a game.
Role-players, by contrast, are making their OWN stories, rather than depending on the world to provide stories. It’s a subtle difference, but not one that can be overlooked.
I should also point out, you can play immersively with other people and in fact, you can be an immersion role-player. These ideas aren’t mutually exclusive.
I firmly believe Guild Wars 2 is going to be the most immersive MMO, if not the most immersive game in gaming history. If nothing else, Arena Net seems to understand exactly what an immersion player craves, and is going out of their way to provide it.
World versus World pits 3 different Worlds (servers) against each other for two week periods. During this time players will compete to hold and upgrade towers and keeps with siege weaponry and using supply camps to gain resources. The World Vs World map does not exist in the over-world of Tyria, instead it takes place in the Mists which is the place in between worlds, the fabric that holds the multiverse together. (Map pictured above)
To enter World Vs World you can press B and select the world you’d like to enter near the top of the window or access it though your Hero Panel. You can immediately access WVW after you’ve completed the tutorial mission upon starting the game. However, keep in mind that you will be leveled up to 80 (max level) but you will keep the skills you have unlocked and the ones you have unlocked only. Entering WVW at 30 will at least give you access to your first elite skill. You can and will gain experience while in WVW.
The matches are designed for the heavy PVPer and the person who isn’t always interested in PVP. For those who are more PVE orientated there are jumping puzzles and even a mini dungeon under the central keep. There are also skill challenges for extra skill points.
The overarching goal of WVW is to obtain more points than your opponent Worlds. Points are obtained by capturing and holding key elements of the map. To assist you in doing so there are many siege weapons you can unlock including arrow carts and catapults.
There will be many strategies to winning in WVW, most of them will involve larger alliances and guilds working as a team to hold the camps, but the smaller guilds are vital as well as raids on the supply camps will prove vital to the over all World win for your side.
The rewards for leading in WVW are PVE and include increased XP, Crafting and Magic Find among others.
