Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Introducing Rata Sum
andromega
Member Posts: 16
in Guild Wars 2
ArenaNet updated their website today with a brand new Rata Sum video. Enjoy it 
Comments
Drool...
Oh boy. This is going to make it even harder for asura fans to say that the asura aren't gnome rip-offs. Before, in GW1 and what we saw originally, they had some originality going there. But now they're looking ever more and more like direct gnome rip-offs. Even I'm having trouble telling the difference between an asura and a gnome, and I'm an ardent fan of what the asura were supposed to be.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh deary me. Okay, right. GW2 has gnomes. So noted. I can't defend you any more, asura. I'm sorry, I just can't do it. You're gnomes. You did it to yourself. Silly little gnomes.
I dunno about gnomes. I mean gnomes in other games were kinda steampunkish. Thes guys are crossing the line into Sci-fi Doctor Who territory.
My theme song.
I mean specifically they're WoW gnomes. WoW gnomes had the high-tech stuff, really high tech stuff, they had robots, tehy had golowing screens in places, and generally they're a lot like this. Especially the higher level stuff that involved gnomes, which made them ever more high-tech.
I've been fighting the notion of GW2 being a WoW rip-off for so long, but in this one instance I feel like I've had my legs sweeped from under me. I've never seen such a direct WoW rip-off as this, it seems like Jeff Grubb wanted his WoW gnomes back, and he got them. They're almost identical. There's just nothing I can do to defend them. I have tried to defend them... but what can I do? These guys are WoW gnomes.
I don't see that much of a comparison.
But there is one definite tie in with both Asura and Gnomes, Jeff Grubb. So blame him for the similarities.
I see a huge comparison. But then I'm honest. I've only been able to defend the asura in honesty. I'm not going to lie to myself. If these guys are magitech, then they're no different than gnomes, or little people in a thousand-and-one Asian MMORPGs. It's just... by doing this, they've made it look like they're just ripping off, rather than innovating. They had such a good idea there and they've ruined it.
I can't lie to myself. Maybe you, not me.
So you can lie to me but not to yourself? Gotcha
You see what you want to see. Whatever floats your boat.
Wow gnomes were deffinatly steampunk.
My theme song.
They dont look like WoW or EQ2 gnomes at all. Asura look almost like an alien race compared to them.
Well I can sort of see Dream Chasers point in two aspects. Their size and their affinity for tech (one is steam or typical tech, the other is magic tech). Other than that I don't really see much of a similarity. Their motivations, their attitudes, and the way they present themselves are all different.
It's like saying the Sylvari are elves because they both have affinity to nature.
Aside from stature and technological savviness, there really are few similarities between Asura and WoW Gnomes. And that's being honest and objective, coming from someone who has criticized and praised GW2 where I see fit.
Sure those are the 2 defining characteristics of both races, and perhaps that's where you struggle to draw separation, but even within those characteristics, there are drastic differences. Their overall appearances differ tremendously. Gnomes resemble minature, gangly, boney, old humans with grealy exaggerated features; whereas the Asura look like amphibious, alien-like gremlins. Their approaches to technology are also nothing alike. Gnomes more closely resemble mad scientists whose creations comicly malfunction as frequently as they work properly. They're crazy experimenters. The Asura are more rational, calculative and precise. Everything they create, every action they take, has a purpose and is not wasted.
These characteristcis transpose directly to their personalities, which are nothing like Gnomes. The Asura tend to be snarky, pompous and arrogant. While their morality may vary by individual, these characteristics combined with their intelligence universally make the Asura socially manipulative, if with very different goals in mind (for some greater good or for an evil purpose). They have a difficult time empathizing with others, especially those of other races, and thus may come off as cold and unsympathetic.
WoW's gnomes, on the other hand, seemed entirely capable of sharing any personality trait common among humans. LIttle distinguished them personality wise except their quirkiness and comical risk-taking tendencies with their inventions.
Their histories are entirely different. Their roles in their respective universes are different. While there are some similarities, to say you've never seen a bigger WoW rip-off is a gross exaggeration.
+1
I can't see how they are alike, except what this guy said. Have not played WoW so you might have some info that I don't have, so what is it that are so similar between them except whats said?
Well, we can't deny some similarities, but I have no problem with the Asura. The basic concept may be familiar, but the implimentation seems better than in any other title. I've never, ever considered playing one of the "little" races in any MMO before, but I am considering an Asura for my third character.
For me, the Asura take a little bit of MMO Gnome, a little bit of MMO goblin, but also go back to the mythological roots of gnomes, goblins and other little folk talked about in folklore from around the world. Maybe add a little spritz of modern grey aliens and you have the Asura.
The fact that similar creatures have existed in mythology across many time periods and cultures just points to the fact that they address some archetype with in our collective conciousness. The fantasy genre is all about archetypes and paying homage to myths and legends of old.
In most games, the little race are just dwarves with out beards, with a slightly different cultural perspective.
I don't get that feel from the Asura, at all. To me, they feel very alien, which fits with a lot of the mythology of "the little folk". Many modern representations tend to portray them as just diminutive humans, but the movie "Pan's Labyrinth" is closer to the mark.
I think the Asura strike a good balance between something alien and something still familiar enough for players to relate to.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
Funny thing is, Jeff Grubb designed the DnD gnomes and the GW asura so any similarities between the WoW gnomes and the asura are not a coincidence.
Thank you for bringing a little sense to the conversation. Yes there are similarities, but there are also stark differences, like you mentioned.
Also, just as an added thought. Often times in various fantasy media, diminutive races often excel in more magical or technological aspects of the universe. Face it, small races can't compete physically with the other larger races, so of course they are going to be a bit more intelligent and cunning.
Yes there are similarities between gnomes and asura, but they share the same similarities with nearly any small race from many fantasy outlets.
someone is mad.....
I mean...they are both small races... and they have technology.... but that´s about it.
Obviously...a small race must be intelligent to survive & fight ,since they have no strengh like a taller race.
Besides that.....i find Asuras more alien-like than gnomes.
I really don´t understand how you came to "such a discovery" when seeing the Asura city...specially if you were already familiar with Asuras in Guild Wars. Rata Sum has nothing to do with any gnome city....or the lore...
Actually i hated wow gnomes & love asuras...so definetly they are NOT gnomes.
OP: man I am going to lose an entire gameplaying day in that city.
As for the neckbeards, the only similarity I saw was thinking "Oh hey, Convenant tech in GW2!"
TRUST THE COMPUTER! THE COMPUTER IS YOUR FRIEND!
Stay Alert! Trust No One! Keep Your Laser Handy!
Yellow Clearance Black Box Blues!
Personnaly the asuran make me think alot more about Stitch than anything else
Fine, but just because you are doesn't make those who disagree dishonest by default -- like me. I disagree.
I do not see WoW gnomes here. I see a short stature and that's it. Frankly, I see more Stitch than any other stock fantasy short race. Asura look borderline psychotic and feral, more lizard than human. If that's how you recall WoW gnomes, I must have played all those years in a different game altogether. Could have sworn the world was called Azeroth though.
Yup I was a gnome mage in wow for many years, they are small, and they had steampunk/junky tech and were a bit rude/clumsy. This is nothing like what i saw in the video - appart from the size.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
Well if it looks like a gnome, and walks like a gnome, (but its in GW2) it must be an Asura.
You guys make me laugh with your scientific explanations defending how those asura are not wow gnome rip offs. By trying to deny that they are meant to be the gnomes of GW2 you show that your blinder are wrapped a little too tight.
Just admit their wow gnomes. Go ahead, everybody can see them.
I already admited they are more akin to Taru Taru than WoW gnomes. Troll harder?
My theme song.
Wow. Do you really think your the only person on this forum or do you take all posts personally?
Well in you're post you make it sound like if some one disagrees with your opinion they must be a blind fan. It's simply not the case. Most of us see similarities to other mmo races but don't think they are a straight WoW rip off.
My theme song.
I think the Asura were inspired much more by the Stargate movie and shows than WoW. I mean, Stargate is a movie about people who travel through a "gate" that looks almost identical to an Asura gate and wind up in a world heavily inspired by Ancient Egypt with lots of pyramids, just like Asura architecture.
Just look at the cover for Stargate, it seriously looks like it could be straight out of a GW2 Asura ad.
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3633026560/tt0111282 .
Stargate even had a race called Asurans! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asuran
So yeah, the Asura are small and technologically advanced like gnomes, but that's about it. Their architecture, the concept of the Asuran gate, even the name of their race was influenced by Stargate.
Are you team Azeroth, team Tyria, or team Jacob?