I do not think I have to put on here, how long I have been playing, as it shows up as my joined date.
Needless to say, one must ask a bunch of questions for further information and thus the real reason for BETA.
That said, confusing GvG and GE is not even close. There are dedicated players who enjoy GvG, like myself, and these players are not as plentiful as GE.
Why, it is pretty simple. A strong GvG guild can run over any smaller guilds and leads to bulling other guilds on the GvG Maps. Which we all know these guilds exist and we can all be sure they will hate this new part of the game. A level playing field for all, would be very nice, but we all know this is not the case.
GE is based on an individuals progress on the GE Map, while the total progress of that player and the rest of the players in that guild are also added to allow the guild to compete for more completion. Now ask, why do people like GE over GvG. I believe some do not understand that there are plenty of rewards to be earned by doing GE and completing it. The rewards far outweigh anything you can get from GvG, when in GvG a guild only gains prestige and sectors. GE players not only gain certain rewards, there is a Great Building that is geared ONLY for GE, the Temple of Relics (ToR). This GB allows the players to collect Relics and based on the level of the players ToR, they receive Relics of (Silver, Gold and Jade) for doing GE. I do believe the game and/or developers may be mistaking into thinking why GE is so popular. GE is very popular due to the rewards you receive back from it. Understanding why something is popular to start with, may allow someone to make another aspect of the game better.
GvG is more based on a Guilds Fighting against another guild. After all, the game's Global Rankings are based on Prestige which we all know is calculated on the amount of Sectors that any guild holds on each and all maps. GvG is important for guilds that want to be Top Guilds or claim to be the best of the guilds.
In a fair way, maybe the thought of taking all three aspects of the game and calculating them together, with a formula to determine Global Ranking on a daily basis. The three aspects of the game would be GvG (weighted maybe), GE and then this new aspect of the game (Guild Battleground). This way, a true ranking of the guild could be had and not just few guilds that dominate the GvG Maps would be Top Guilds. Since the Global Ranking is calculated based solely on GvG, would this still be the case or as I just stated be an option in which to provide a real gauge of the Top Guilds on each World. This would bother GvG Guilds, as they are all about prestige and holding sectors to get the most prestige in which to show as a Top Guild. We all know, the best guild is the guild that fits the players style of the game the best. What's best for one player is not necessary the best guild for another player.
In conclusion; Will this be popular, to start with YES it will. As all new features are. But we must all understand what would entice players to partake on this new aspect of the game. Would there be a new Great Building for this (if not, your welcome for the idea).? Would this new aspect of the game provide rewards like GE or as stated fragments for a new building for ONLY players who do this or would it be guild wide.? Sadly, any guild would get some sitters who collect the rewards that others achieve and just go along for the ride, to start with anyway. Would this new aspect of the game provide prestige for a guild and account for guild rank in the Global Rankings.? Like the others before, it would be nice to have players from all areas that would be able to do this when they could, so there would not be a re-calc. time ? Or just a wind down time and for how long would the protection (it's stated a few hours), would be.? Just remember why GE is so popular, it's all about the individual rewards and trust me, only certain players care about the guilds progress in GE, it is more player or individual based rewards that is what makes GE so popular. Just saying.
My 2 cents worth.
Stevie