Guild Wars 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Guild Wars 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Guild Wars 3 confirms Humans, Asura, and Kodan, plus a mystery species, will be playable at launch
ArenaNet has confirmed that Guild Wars 3 will feature Humans, Asura, and Kodan as playable species at launch, with a fourth mystery species also planned. The developer is building the game with the intention of adding more playable species in the future, establishing shared technical foundations to support this expansion.
The Stream Team: Everything is lava in Guild Wars 2’s Thunderhead Peaks
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie will be streaming Guild Wars 2 live, focusing on the Dragonsblood Forge in Thunderhead Peaks, which is powered by lava. The stream will showcase preparations for using the forge to craft dragonsblood weapons for the fight against Kralkatorrik. The event is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026.
Guild Wars 2 recaps WvW beta 2’s ‘healthier spread’ for scoring, plans beta 3 for August 11
ArenaNet provided an update on Guild Wars 2's World vs World (WvW) beta testing, noting that the second beta achieved a 'healthier spread' of scoring points from objective capture and player combat. The studio plans a third beta for August 11th to September 4th, focusing on further adjustments to point values, removing certain scaling multipliers, and reintroducing placement-based rewards.
NC's tactical shooter, Cinder City, is running its first-ever playtest
NC is holding its first-ever pre-alpha playtest for its tactical shooter, Cinder City, in North America from August 14-16. The game is set in a near-future, post-apocalyptic Seoul and blends horror, sci-fi, and traditional FPS mechanics. Participants must be 16 years or older and located in North America.
Lord of the Rings Online reveals its ambitious Wolves of Mordor expansion with two new systems
Standing Stone Games announced Lord of the Rings Online's 2026 expansion, The Wolves of Mordor, which will introduce new zones, enemies, and two new systems: Neighbours for NPC relationship building and Survival Instincts for account-wide progression. The expansion is slated for release later this year and will kick off a new epic book series called Verses of Victory.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG studio’s reputation has changed most dramatically over time?
This article discusses how the reputations of MMORPG studios like NCsoft and Blizzard Entertainment have changed dramatically over time. It highlights how studios can recover from past missteps through actions like reviving games or developing successful franchises, while others squander initial goodwill.
MMO Week in Review: I want to believe
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates and announcements for numerous titles including Stars Reach, EverQuest Legends, Elder Scrolls Online, and Final Fantasy XIV. Key stories include Stars Reach's official early access date, Elder Scrolls Online's post-layoff roadmap, and Guild Wars 3 revealing its composers. The article also touches on game development, business practices, and player sentiment across various MMORPGs.
One Shots: It brings the whole room together
This week's 'One Shots' column features community screenshots from various MMOs, including Guild Wars 2, Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and Lord of the Rings Online. Players shared images of in-game statues, character customizations, and humorous in-game events, highlighting the vibrant community aspect of these games.
Star Wars, Metal Gear, and Halo composer Kazuma Jinnouchi confirmed as lead composer for Guild Wars 3
ArenaNet has announced Kazuma Jinnouchi, known for his work on Star Wars, Metal Gear, and Halo, as the lead composer for Guild Wars 3. A video detailing the creation of the game's main theme, featuring Jinnouchi and other composers like Asuka Ito and Maclaine Diemer, was also released.
Massively Overthinking: Are there any MMORPGs or MMO features that are good kinda by accident?
This article discusses MMORPGs and their features that became popular or fun by accident, often in ways unintended by developers. Examples include "alting" and the architect system in City of Heroes, content trains in Guild Wars 2, and the unintended consequences of Grand Theft Auto Online's content creator. World of Warcraft and Fortnite are also cited for features that evolved beyond their original design intent.
Guild Wars Reforged has added new loot and minis to Underworld and Fissure of Woe
ArenaNet has released a new patch for Guild Wars Reforged, adding new miniature collectibles and unique items as rare rewards to the Underworld and Fissure of Woe endgame content areas. The update also includes fixes for disconnect issues and AI improvements for hero skills.
‘It’s like your mom reading you an old story’: Guild Wars 3 reveals composers and main music theme
ArenaNet has revealed the composers for Guild Wars 3, with BAFTA Games Awards nominee Kazuma Jinnouchi serving as lead composer. He will be joined by Asuka Ito and longtime Guild Wars 2 composer Maclaine Diemer. A new video showcases the game's main theme, emphasizing a warm and comforting musical style.
Someone made a Lego Jimothy Racoon set with over 180k likes, so I think we've peaked
A fan-made Lego set of Jimothy the Racoon has gained significant online attention, amassing over 180,000 likes on Instagram. This original build, created using spare Lego parts, accurately captures the racoon's distinctive appearance and has sparked discussions about fan creativity within the Lego community.
The Stream Team: It’s All or Nothing in Guild Wars 2
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie will be streaming Guild Wars 2's Living World Season 4 episode 'All or Nothing' live. The stream will focus on Caithe's reappearance and her quest to question Ogden Stonehealer about Glint's legacy, following the loss of Blish. The event is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026.
An ArenaNet developer's spouse first discovered Jimothy the raccoon, so it's only right that Guild Wars 2 adds…
ArenaNet is adding a virtual version of the viral raccoon, Jimothy, to Guild Wars 2 starting August 11th. The decision was partly inspired by the fact that the spouse of an ArenaNet developer was the one who initially discovered and popularized Jimothy online. Players will be able to unlock a Jimothy mini-pet within the game.
Guild Wars 2’s extended fam is basically responsible for making Jimothy a thing, so we’re getting minipets
ArenaNet is adding the internet-famous raccoon, Jimothy, as a minipet in Guild Wars 2 on August 11th. The developer acknowledged the meme's origin, which stemmed from a video filmed by the spouse of an ArenaNet developer. Jimothy will also appear in World of Warcraft, AdventureQuest 3D, and RuneScape.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG isn’t playable on Steam Deck yet but should be?
This article discusses the current state of MMORPG compatibility on the Steam Deck, highlighting which games work well and which do not. The author expresses a desire for more MMORPGs to be playable on the platform without extensive workarounds, posing the question of which titles should prioritize Steam Deck support.
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.
WRUP: Presenting Bilford McGurkee’s Slam Your Hand In The Car Door edition
This article is a weekly roundup of what the Massively OP staff and community are playing. This week's participants mention games like Splatoon, Pokopia, Pokemon Go, Guild Wars 2, Palworld, The Division 2, Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy VIII, ZeroSpace, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The bonus question asks about the worst reason for ruining one's sleep schedule, with answers ranging from work to gaming.
