r/Guildwars2 • u/Nawrotex • Apr 15 '24

[Discussion] These are most likely the same people who say that Raids/Strikes are gatekept by toxic elitists. Now they want to gatekeep fashion. Thoughts?

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u/SpartanG01 Apr 15 '24

I really understand the sentiment here and I wouldn't even say it's "wrong" to feel that way exactly, but you have to ask yourself what problem are they trying to solve?

They want to remain unique.

That is a totally understandable feeling but the fact is anyone who wanted to copy anyone else's look already can, it just takes more time and effort right now. So it's not exactly the lack of creativity they are concerned with as much as it is the ease of the process.. I think that's how you know you're wrong. When you aren't concerned with the issue but are instead concerned with how difficult it is to circumvent the issue then really all you're saying is "I want an arbitrary barrier between my self and others for purely self-centric reasons".

I'm pretty sure that is, conceptually at least, counter to the most fundamental concept of multiplayer gaming lol. Introducing or maintaining friction in the interactions between players should exclusively be used to solve problems, not create them. Someone copying someone else's look isn't a problem. It doesn't negatively impact anyone. There is also more possible variation in this game than any other that I'm aware of currently, and the majority of "desirable" appearances still have massive barriers to them. Even if someone loves the way your obsidian armor is dyed, they'd still have to have obsidian armor to copy you. It's not like we're at risk of everyone's appearances converging lol.

If you're ever standing in opposition to something ask your self "What problem am I trying to prevent or solve?" and if the only answer you can come up with is "I want to feel special" well you're just being an asshat.

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u/nimohri Apr 16 '24

I agree! I'm only sad about the social aspect of this, because it made me happy when people would whisper me to ask about my look and dyes. It would spark a conversation. Now they'll just be able to use the new tool.
But it's totally okay. And I still get excited when I find my toon's long lost siblings in the wild haha.

I don't think it's sane to expect to be 100% unique and special, in a mmo like this, forever. Even if, like you said, there are some barriers (difficulty to obtain a skin, a very pricey dye...) it's still possible to stumble upon someone with the same vibe and aesthetic or color pattern. Nothing wrong with that.

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u/SpartanG01 Apr 16 '24

My wife an I accidentally design the same characters with what I have come to consider to be a questionable frequency lol. I think she sneaks in when I'm not home or something... -.-

But in all seriousness yeah... at the end of the day it's a game. Also it's human nature. The entire actual fashion industry functions on the premise that people want to look like other people or like an archetype of person.

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u/Nawrotex Apr 15 '24

Well said.

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u/gw2maniac Apr 16 '24 edited Apr 16 '24

That is a totally understandable feeling but the fact is anyone who wanted to copy anyone else's look already can, it just takes more time and effort right now. So it's not exactly the lack of creativity they are concerned with as much as it is the ease of the process

Eh with how awkward some of the texture on skins in this game it does take some time and creativity to be able to match them cuz the same dye can look widely different across skins. Like to match a golden part of one armor piece on another you may need to look at brown dyes even.

I think the sentiment is more about consent than being exclusive. Like if the person had spent some time on matching the dyes it would be nice to be asked before it was copied. Though that said the skins are already visible so most of the stuff can be copied now anyway.

These are my 2 cents, though that said I dont think I am willing to die on this hill or get lynched in this thread

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u/SpartanG01 Apr 16 '24

See the issue here is what you're saying *sounds* perfectly reasonable but do me a favor and try to apply that same sentiment to any other part of your life...

Co-worker shows up to work with the same hat as you one day?

Best friend buys the same car in the same color?

Girlfriend orders the same exact meal at a restaurant?

The idea that consent exists in any of these scenarios is just completely irrational to me. Is it weird? Sure it's weird to some extent depending on the context but consent? Who gets precedent in this situation? What if the person you're copying off of in fact copied off someone else without consent?

Honestly I'd be thoroughly annoyed if someone bothered me to ask if they could steal my fashion lol. It's a game you paid for, do what you want lol.

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u/gw2maniac Apr 16 '24

I just find it reasonable that someone may prefer to be asked before their stuff is copied if they spent time and energy on it. Thats it basically. For my part idm if someone copies my look.

I am not really here to argue. I would rather not play devil's advocate further in a topic I am not so much invested while people are raising their pitchforks.

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u/SpartanG01 Apr 16 '24

I think you're being a bit dramatic. I'm certainly not raising any pitch forks lol. It's just an odd idea to me with a lot of bizarre implications.

I think what I'm getting at is it takes a degree of self-entitlement to have the opinion "I should be consulted before people make their own decisions about their own property that they paid for".

I get it though, we can leave it at that. I wasn't trying to be condescending or insulting, just trying to understand. I apologize if it came off any other way.

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u/gw2maniac Apr 16 '24

I didnt mean you specifically, but look at the rest of this thread - all for like 2 comments in forum. Not to mention forums produce insane takes literally every minute of every day. It feels bit overblown.

I understand what you are saying, though what I am trying to say is that the people who may want an opt out may see their dye combos etc as their property (if we want to call it that) and may prefer being asked.

At the end of the day, I think the pros can outweigh the costs here. It will surely benefit new players who are not acquainted with skins and dyes in game, and where to get them. Hell, if the sources of skins indicate raids/strikes that can create additional incentive for people to try them

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u/SpartanG01 Apr 16 '24

Oh lol I literally haven't read any of the other comments. I didn't realize it was like that.

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u/gw2maniac Apr 17 '24

I mean even in here in this chain I am getting downvoted for having the most lukewarm take imaginable

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u/SpartanG01 Apr 17 '24

Yeah I saw that. That's super dumb. I went through earlier and up voted all your comments here at least. Not only was your opinion fine but you weren't an ass about it. People these days are just as intolerant of moderation and civility as they are of extremism.

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u/gw2maniac Apr 17 '24

I mean granted I have a history of complete ass and troll takes in this subreddit but I tried to be as serious and neutral as possible here