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MMO Week in Review: FFXIV in Berlin, Black Desert in SoCal, and Jimothy saturation
This week's MMO news covers Final Fantasy XIV's Fan Festival in Berlin, Black Desert's Heidel Ball, and the early access launch of SEED. Updates were also provided for Dungeons & Dragons Online, Aion 2, and The Guild reunion movie. Several games saw controversy including World of Warcraft staff cheating, Elder Scrolls Online capacity issues, and Microsoft layoffs.
Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, and AQ3D confirm that Jimothy pets are incoming
Several MMORPGs are introducing in-game pets based on the viral raccoon "Jimothy." World of Warcraft and Guild Wars 2 have confirmed their versions are coming soon, with Guild Wars 2 setting a release date of August 11th. AdventureQuest 3D has already released its Jimothy pet and a related hat.
A new Guild Wars 3 blog post spills the beans on the game's narrative focus, and perhaps even how magic will work in the upcoming MMORPG
ArenaNet has released a blog post detailing narrative elements and potential magic systems for the upcoming MMORPG Guild Wars 3. The post, "The Vaelwardens of the Orrian Golden Age," places the game during a period of slumber for the Elder Dragons, allowing magic to flow freely and leading to the founding of the Vaelwardens. Player theories suggest a system involving signets and spiritual aids for magic, potentially similar to Guild Wars 2's mastery system.
The Guild Wars 3 story pitch sees players holding the line against greedy industrialists who exploit the magical wilds
ArenaNet has revealed story details for the upcoming MMORPG Guild Wars 3, with Aaron Linde outlining the narrative pitch. Players will take on the role of Vaelwardens, guardians of magic in a world where industrialists, like the Mavenwrights, seek to exploit magical resources. The story focuses on the Vaelwardens' struggle to protect the fading magic and its spirits against encroaching greed and societal change.
Guild Wars Reforged fixes Steam login on mobile and begins testing new consumables
ArenaNet has released a patch for Guild Wars Reforged that enables Steam login functionality for mobile devices, a feature previously unavailable. The update also introduces two new beta consumables designed to help players locate enemies and reveal map areas, with feedback being sought for their performance. Additional fixes address various bugs and issues, including inventory display problems.
Guild Wars 2 delivers its delayed balance patch along with a new promo video
ArenaNet released a delayed balance patch for Guild Wars 2 on a Wednesday due to a hardware failure impacting their network. The patch addresses game balance, particularly for PvP, and also reintroduces cats and other pets associated with the 2025 Extra Life charity drive. A new promotional video highlighting all game classes has also been released.
Flameseeker Chronicles: Lessons Guild Wars 3 must not fail to learn from its predecessors
This opinion piece discusses key lessons ArenaNet should learn from Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2 for the development of Guild Wars 3. It highlights the importance of a consistent content release cadence, the pitfalls of the Living World experiment, the need for flexible race and class design, and the significance of player mobility options and respecting the existing player base. The author expresses cautious optimism that ArenaNet has learned from past mistakes.
Guild Wars 2’s planned balance patch was delayed slightly over a hardware failure at ArenaNet
ArenaNet has delayed a planned balance patch for Guild Wars 2 due to a hardware failure in their office network that disrupted build and deployment pipelines. While the hardware issues have been resolved, the company is still working to recover affected systems and aims to release the update later today. This marks a rare delay for the game's typically smooth update process.
The Daily Grind: Which modern MMORPGs should get a sequel?
This article discusses which modern MMORPGs are candidates for sequels, drawing parallels to the genre's history and upcoming titles like Guild Wars 3. It highlights the potential for sequels to games such as World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online, and EVE Online, questioning where the next major franchise follow-ups will emerge.
Aion 2 releases monetization plan with optional $15 sub, battle pass, cash shop, and founder packs
NCsoft has detailed the monetization strategy for the global edition of Aion 2, set to launch this fall as a free-to-play title. The plan includes an optional $15 monthly subscription, battle passes, a cash shop primarily for cosmetics and consumables, and founder packs. The game will feature two currencies, Kina earned through gameplay and Quna as the premium currency, with an exchange system similar to Guild Wars 2.
Guild Wars 2 kicks off PvP Rush event, won’t host a PAX West community event this year
ArenaNet is hosting the seventh Guild Wars 2 PvP Rush event, offering players limited-time achievements and rewards for participating in Player versus Player content. The studio also announced it will not host a community event at PAX West this year, citing development on Guild Wars 3 and the upcoming September expansion for Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons.
Spooky Guild Wars online networking stories
ArenaNet game director Stephen Clarke-Willson and server programmer Robert Neckorcuk discuss the challenges of maintaining Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 online services. They share insights on server provider migration, game optimization, and player impact on API stability, emphasizing the value of keeping older titles online for player trust and engagement.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Guild Wars 3 may have cracked the MMO code for tired millennials
ArenaNet studio head Collin Johanson stated that Guild Wars 3 aims to respect players' time, allowing them to play as much or as little as they desire. This approach contrasts with many modern MMORPGs and live-service games that can feel like a second job due to mechanics like battle passes and repetitive tasks. The article suggests that if Guild Wars 3 can remain captivating without demanding excessive playtime, it could appeal to a growing audience of adult gamers.
21-year-old MMORPG Guild Wars Reforged has officially launched on Android and Apple today
ArenaNet has officially launched Guild Wars Reforged, a mobile version of the 21-year-old MMORPG, on Android and Apple devices. The game features redesigned UI and controls for mobile, allowing cross-play between PC and mobile players. Existing accounts can log in without additional purchases, while new players can try the Prophecies campaign for free with ads, with options to unlock further campaigns.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 570: Card Wars 3
The Massively OP Podcast episode 570 covers various MMO industry news, including Guild Wars' card game, a potential ArcheAge revival, and Richard Garriott's interest in Ultima. Discussions also touch on World of Warcraft's upcoming patch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's new race, and EverQuest Legends pre-orders.
New Guild Wars card game “Mistbound” announced
ArenaNet and NC Corporation have announced Mistbound, a new collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe for mobile and PC. The game features a dynamic 5x3 grid with directional movement for units and commanders, offering deep strategic gameplay inspired by Guild Wars 2's professions. Mistbound will be free-to-play with monetization hooks similar to other live service titles.
The Daily Grind: Are you upset that Guild Wars 3 seems to be ditching the zerg?
ArenaNet has indicated that Guild Wars 3 may move away from the large-scale 'zerg' gameplay that defines Guild Wars 2. While some players enjoy the low-stress mass participation, others, like the author, are open to a potential shift towards smaller-scale content, reminiscent of other MMOs like World of Warcraft.
Mistbound, The First Digital Card Game Set in the Guild Wars Universe, Announced
Mistbound, the first digital collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe, has been announced by NC and published by bilibili. Officially licensed by ArenaNet, the game will be available on Android and iOS. Mistbound features deckbuilding, a tactical grid-based battlefield system with dynamic movement, and incorporates lore, artwork, and music from the Guild Wars series.
NC, ArenaNet and bilibill Reveal ‘Mistbound’ - The First Digital Card Game Set in the Guild Wars Universe
ArenaNet, NC, and bilibili have announced Mistbound, a new free-to-play digital collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe for PC and mobile. The game introduces a 'Dynamic Movement Gameplay' mechanic allowing cards to reposition on a tactical grid, aiming to blend the franchise's lore with deckbuilding strategy. Key figures from ArenaNet and NC, along with a former professional Hearthstone player, discussed the game's design and accessibility.
