Guild Wars 2 uses a heavily modified version of the proprietary game engine developed for Guild Wars by ArenaNet. The modifications to the engine include real-time 3D environments, enhanced graphics and animations and the use of the Havok physics system. The developers say the engine now does justice to the concept art for the game and concept art will be integrated into the way the story is told to the player. Guild Wars 2 game play has been modified from Guild Wars to include a variety of different features.
Guild Wars 2 will allow a player to create a character from five races and eight professions. Professions are divided into three categories: scholars, who use light armor; adventurers, who use medium armor; and soldiers, who use heavy armor. As of March 2011, six professions, Elementalist, Warrior, Ranger, Necromancer, Guardian and Thief have been announced. The maximum character level has been increased to 80, however the developers emphasize they wish “to avoid forcing players into the grind-based gameplay that too often accompanies a high level cap.”
Two mechanics have been described which are intended to prevent this and allow players to play the game how they want; a sidekicking system, similar to that used in City of Heroes, will be introduced allowing high-level characters to transfer their powers to lower-level characters (or lower their level comparable to their sidekick as to enjoy lower-level content) and entry to e-sport type PvP will grant access to all skills, items and provide a fixed level. In a departure from the high number skills present in Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2 will focus on quality of skills over quantity and will also reduce the overall number of game modes to reduce balancing complexity – one of the most common issues present in MMORPG’s.
Valet Empire 