Guild Wars 2

Edit history:

MrBinary: 2013-05-16 07:37:58 pm

2013-04-02 05:43:02 am

Now, scrolling through the board I didn't see a post on this. I know MMOs aren't generally accepted as a game you are able to speed-run due to there being no real ending; however, Guild Wars 2 does have a story with quests that lead to an ending. That would be my reason for proposing this as a potential run, as completing the story mode seems like it'd be a satisfying ending to a speed run.

As such, these are the 'rules':
- No help from external characters (Gold or items from another character on your account).
- No buying items off the trading post.
- May only use equipment acquired through drops, quest completion, and basic weapon and armour vendors that are found within the story instance.
- Must to story quest at the recommended level (cannot be down-scaled as that still gives higher stats).

I was thinking the run would be in segments with the story quest instances being what are timed and added at the end. Timer would begin from the moment you leave the first leading screen and would end when you leave said instance.

I don't really have any tested statistics, but upon beating the story a few times I believe a full segmented run could be done within a couple hours or so.

What do you all think? Does this sound plausible for a decent run with the rules set out? I think it'd be a unique addition to SDA, and a great place for me to try my hand at my first run. Feel free to add, alter, or strike any rules you see fit as I'd love to hear other's opinions on this.

Thread title:

Now, scrolling through the board I didn't see a post on this. I know MMOs aren't generally accepted as a game you are able to speed-run due to there being no real ending; however, Guild Wars 2 does have a story with quests that lead to an ending. That would be my reason for proposing this as a potential run, as completing the story mode seems like it'd be a satisfying ending to a speed run.

[color="red"]As such, these are the 'rules':[/color]
     - No help from external characters (Gold or items from another character on your account).
     - No buying items off the trading post.
     - May only use equipment acquired through drops, quest completion, and basic weapon and armour vendors that are found within the story instance.
     - Must to story quest at the recommended level (cannot be down-scaled as that still gives higher stats).

I was thinking the run would be in segments with the story quest instances being what are timed and added at the end. Timer would begin from the moment you leave the first leading screen and would end when you leave said instance.

I don't really have any tested statistics, but upon beating the story a few times I believe a full segmented run could be done within a couple hours or so.

What do you all think? Does this sound plausible for a decent run with the rules set out? I think it'd be a unique addition to SDA, and a great place for me to try my hand at my first run. Feel free to add, alter, or strike any rules you see fit as I'd love to hear other's opinions on this.

Stormknight

2013-04-02 06:17:34 am

Now Reap The Whirlwind!

Don't think that something like this would be possible. Here's why:

1. You said that timing would be from first loading screen in the instance to when you leave the instance. You aren't counting the time it takes to get to each of the instances.
2. It would be difficult to verify that you weren't getting outside help.
3. I'm fairly certain that the last step in the story for any character is inside an instance, so you will need to get help with it no matter what, which means that you going to need to have people ready to help and know what you're going for.
4. There are a ton of variables. Things like enemy placement, other people, gear and gold drops. None of those can really be planned for.

Those are the problems that I see for a run like this. There may be a strict ruling as to why SDA doesn't have MMO's, but this is just my opinion.

MrBinary

2013-04-02 02:11:11 pm

Quote from Stormknight:

You said that timing would be from first loading screen in the instance to when you leave the instance. You aren't counting the time it takes to get to each of the instances.

I said from the end of the first loading screen, so when you're actually able to play the game. I'm not counting the time it takes to get from instance to instance for a valid reason, when you leave an instance that recommended you be level 13, it'll jump the recommended level up to 16. That's not something you'd really want to attempt to do.

Quote from Stormknight:

2. It would be difficult to verify that you weren't getting outside help.

That was my biggest worry when placing that rule. Someone could just flash their inventory before each story mission to show that nothing has changed or been acquired in-between segments.

Quote from Stormknight:

3. I'm fairly certain that the last step in the story for any character is inside an instance, so you will need to get help with it no matter what, which means that you going to need to have people ready to help and know what you're going for.

Right, and that would have to be the exception, though you're still not getting gold or items from said players. It's also not hard at all to find a group looking to speed-run a dungeon, in fact it's very very common.

Quote from Stormknight:

4. There are a ton of variables. Things like enemy placement, other people, gear and gold drops. None of those can really be planned for.

Within the instance there are no variables when dealing with enemy placement or other people.

The way you state all of this makes me suspect that you have not actually played the game, and thus do not really know the method at which the game presents everything. Not that that is a bad thing.

[quote="Stormknight"]You said that timing would be from first loading screen in the instance to when you leave the instance. You aren't counting the time it takes to get to each of the instances.
[/quote]
I said from the end of the first loading screen, so when you're actually able to play the game. I'm not counting the time it takes to get from instance to instance for a valid reason, when you leave an instance that recommended you be level 13, it'll jump the recommended level up to 16. That's not something you'd really want to attempt to do.

[quote="Stormknight"]2. It would be difficult to verify that you weren't getting outside help.[/quote]
That was my biggest worry when placing that rule. Someone could just flash their inventory before each story mission to show that nothing has changed or been acquired in-between segments.

[quote="Stormknight"]3. I'm fairly certain that the last step in the story for any character is inside an instance, so you will need to get help with it no matter what, which means that you going to need to have people ready to help and know what you're going for.[/quote]
Right, and that would have to be the exception, though you're still not getting gold or items from said players. It's also not hard at all to find a group looking to speed-run a dungeon, in fact it's very very common.

[quote="Stormknight"]4. There are a ton of variables. Things like enemy placement, other people, gear and gold drops. None of those can really be planned for.[/quote]
Within the instance there are no variables when dealing with enemy placement or other people.

The way you state all of this makes me suspect that you have not actually played the game, and thus do not really know the method at which the game presents everything. Not that that is a bad thing.

Stormknight

2013-04-02 02:21:11 pm

Now Reap The Whirlwind!

No I have played the game. With regards to the timing, your wording was confusing. Flashing the inventory could work, but I don't think it's foolproof. It may be common to find a group to speed run a dungeon, but any waiting time you have will be added on to the overall time. For my #4, it was more referencing your rule about your level. You said that you were going to do the story steps at the recommended level. Since doing the story steps by themselves will not get you high enough level. you are going to have to use the hearts or map exploration. The instances may be scripted, but the rest of the world isn't.

MrBinary

Edit history:

MrBinary: 2013-04-02 03:04:31 pm

2013-04-02 02:35:35 pm

Quote from Stormknight:

You said that you were going to do the story steps at the recommended level. Since doing the story steps by themselves will not get you high enough level. you are going to have to use the hearts or map exploration. The instances may be scripted, but the rest of the world isn't.

Thus why those would not be counted and you're unable to use gear found in the technical 'over-world'. I do see and understand your point though.

Stormknight

2013-04-02 04:27:01 pm

Now Reap The Whirlwind!

Hrm...I doubt that you would be allowed to not include time you played the game. You can't pick and choose when you count time and when you don't.

Onin

Edit history:

Onin: 2013-04-02 05:24:59 pm

2013-04-02 05:23:37 pm

You can't pretend the story quests are "the game" when you're spending just as much time leveling up, and thereby progressing, outside of them.

MrBinary

2013-04-03 12:05:08 am

Quote from Onin:

You can't pretend the story quests are "the game" when you're spending just as much time leveling up, and thereby progressing, outside of them.

Well that would be why it was a suggestion, right? I'm still new to this and looking for any sort of game to start off so I figured I'd see the parameters as well as suggest some.

Smilge

2013-04-03 01:27:30 pm

This is certainly something that could be done for the casual speedrun board. But yeah, I don't think MMOs would ever fit into SDA's rules simply because outside influence is impossible to keep out completely.

I say go for it and post it on the casual speedrun board.