Week 2: 2/2

In the second half of this week, I have been considering the types of people that play this game as well as basic interactions between players.  I'll start with the easier question of player interactions.  In regards to the interactions towards me, it depends on the context.  If it's the random player and it is just a business deal it's very much a "talk or leave, I don't care" attitude.  When a sale is being discussed, most people don't even get more polite.  It isn't rude, but would be offensive if it was in a business in real life.  If it's a party, things are more friendly.  Compliments may be used if they notice someone doing an extremely good job but otherwise things are kept on a professional basis, very much a "let me do my job" kind of thing.  People are a lot more courteous in these situations as a lot more is at stake if the group breaks apart.  The most friendly interactions is always those within the guild/alliance.  If you are talking with someone there, it is like you are instant friends.  People warm up a lot quicker, joke around a lot and it's like you were just welcomed into a group of other friends.

As for me, a lot of my interactions are always on the excessively polite side.  I treat the game world as if it was real life and accordingly I always show extra respect to people, withhold name calling and such and doing whatever I can to keep amiable interactions going.

As for what sort of people are attracted to this game, it's hard to say.  Unlike Facebook games, it takes a bit more dedication and so casual gamers are out of the question.  A side of this game that I have yet to take a solid look at is the PvP side of things (Player versus Player).  This is also a fairly substantial side of the game in that it's the main form of expanding content still being supplied for Guild Wars.  So the E-Sports audience those that like the intense, competitive games would be attracted to this.  But it also would attract your typical RPG player in all their forms.  The heart of this games PvE content is story driven, and can be accomplished as a team or by yourself.