Guild Wars 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Guild Wars 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Guild Wars 3 mission statement: no pay-to-win, no subscription fees - "The lines between an MMO and a live-service game have blurred"
ArenaNet studio head Colin Johanson released a mission statement for Guild Wars 3, emphasizing a commitment to no pay-to-win mechanics and no subscription fees, instead opting for a buy-to-play model. The statement also addresses the blurring lines between MMOs and live-service games, aiming to innovate the genre by respecting player time and offering meaningful progression without excessive barriers.
The Stream Team: Canach’s collection creates a key in Guild Wars 2
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie will be streaming Guild Wars 2's 'Within Your Grasp' episode, focusing on Canach's efforts to create a key to break a barrier in the Spire of Exaltation. The stream is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, with the full stream to be posted afterward.
Guild Wars 3 Will Not Have Subscriptions, Pay-to-Win Features
ArenaNet has detailed its monetization and design plans for Guild Wars 3, confirming it will not feature subscription fees or pay-to-win mechanics, with all microtransactions being cosmetic or for convenience. Studio head Colin Johanson emphasized respecting players' time and maintaining a balance between the scale of Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2. The game is in development for PC and PlayStation 5, with beta tests planned for Fall 2027.
Guild Wars 3 Won’t Have “Hidden” Subscriptions Like Battle Passes
ArenaNet studio head Colin Johanson confirmed that Guild Wars 3 will not feature a subscription fee, battle passes, or pay-to-win mechanics, aiming for accessibility and long-term value. The upcoming MMORPG will be smaller in scale than Guild Wars 2 but larger than the original Guild Wars, and is slated for PC and PlayStation 5 with a beta in Fall 2027.
The Daily Grind: What would you recommend as a gamer’s *second* MMORPG?
This article discusses recommendations for a gamer's second MMORPG, distinguishing it from introductory gateway MMOs. It suggests that while games like World of Warcraft are good first choices, more complex options like EVE Online or Wurm Online might be too difficult for a second experience, proposing an intermediate difficulty range is needed.
WoW Factor: What are the pros and cons of World of Warcraft in 2026?
This article analyzes the pros and cons of the MMORPG World of Warcraft in its current state, comparing it to other games in the genre. Strengths include a vast open world, diverse race and class options, a rich endgame, and a vibrant art style. Weaknesses identified are the mandatory subscription model, the game's age showing in its dated combat, and the near impossibility of catching up on the extensive story content.
Respawn Monday #3: Guild Wars 3 and Destiny 2's Final Update — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This article reflects on the future of Guild Wars 3 and the conclusion of Destiny 2's content updates. Developer ArenaNet plans to support Guild Wars 2 and Guild Wars 3 simultaneously, with Guild Wars 2 receiving substantial updates and a feature to earn rewards for the new game. Meanwhile, Destiny 2 has received its final major update, leaving the game in its best possible form with storylines concluded, and Bungie is urged to keep servers running due to continued player interest.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars’ Orr, Elder Scrolls’ U50, and EVE’s Cradle of War
This week's MMO news roundup covers Guild Wars 3's monetization and setting, Elder Scrolls Online's new difficulty settings, EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion, and Blizzard's lawsuit against a World of Warcraft emulator. It also touches on Destiny 2 entering maintenance mode, Camelot Unchained's early access, and the ongoing discussions around the Lord of the Rings MMO and industry layoffs.
One Shots: Hangin’ with my virtual homies
This week's 'One Shots' feature highlights community screenshots from various MMOs, including Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, Secret World, EverQuest II, and Lord of the Rings Online. Players shared unique in-game moments, from NPC group photos to holographic dragons and secret hideouts.
The Daily Grind: What’s the ideal server size for an MMORPG?
This article discusses the ideal server size for MMORPGs, questioning whether larger servers are always better. It uses examples like Project Gorgon, Star Wars Galaxies, and Guild Wars 2 to explore how server population affects player experience, economy, and game mechanics.
MMO Hype Train: Guild Wars 3’s announcement came at the absolute best time
The announcement of Guild Wars 3 injects much-needed hope into the MMORPG genre, which has seen better days with project failures and studio closures. ArenaNet, the developer behind Guild Wars 2 and the original Guild Wars, is seen as a reliable studio to deliver a promising new title. While still far from launch, the announcement has generated significant hype and excitement among players.
We now know when Guild Wars 3 takes place, but even 20 years after the series began, it doesn't sound like we'll see an actual storied guild war
ArenaNet has revealed that Guild Wars 3 will be set approximately 1000 years before the original Guild Wars, during a time when human gods roamed the kingdom of Orr. Players will join a guild called the Vaelwardens, but the game will not depict the titular guild wars themselves. The developer also confirmed that Guild Wars 3 will not feature a subscription or battle pass system, with a beta release planned for Q4 2027.
Massively Overthinking: Slightly chilled takes about the future of Guild Wars
The Massively OP staff and readers share their 'slightly chilled takes' on the upcoming Guild Wars 3, the future of Guild Wars 1 and 2, and ArenaNet's promises. While some are excited for the new MMO and its potential to innovate, others express caution due to a lack of concrete gameplay details and past experiences with Guild Wars 2's hype.
Guild Wars 3 teases its more ‘seamless’ and ‘layered’ setting: Ancient Orr in all its glory
ArenaNet provided new details on Guild Wars 3's setting, which takes place in the 'golden age' of Orr, a thousand years before the original Guild Wars. The game will feature a more seamless and interconnected world with a focus on personal impact and evolving relationships with NPCs. The developers emphasized that newcomers will not need prior knowledge of the series to enjoy Guild Wars 3.
Save Big and Play Bigger: GeForce NOW Summer Sale Brings Major Membership Savings
NVIDIA is holding a summer sale for its GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, offering significant discounts of up to $70 on 12-month memberships. The service provides access to PC games across various devices with high-end cloud hardware. New titles like Guild Wars 3 are coming to the platform, with current members receiving exclusive in-game rewards for Guild Wars 2 and Guild Wars Reforged.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Path of Exile 1 & 2, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty (2003), Exanima and more
Valve has released an update for Proton Experimental, bringing numerous bug fixes for games like Path of Exile, Path of Exile 2, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty (2003), and Exanima on Linux and SteamOS. The update addresses issues such as game crashes, graphical errors, and performance regressions, enhancing compatibility for Windows games on Valve's platforms.
Flameseeker Chronicles: I’m hyped for Guild Wars 3 – but dreading it too
A Guild Wars 2 player expresses mixed feelings of hype and dread regarding the announcement of Guild Wars 3. While excited for a fresh start free of Guild Wars 2's accumulated 'cruft' and the potential for a console audience, concerns remain about the new game's action combat, the potential impact on Guild Wars 2's ongoing development, and whether Guild Wars 3 will cater to existing player preferences.
With Guild Wars 3 announced at long last, here's why its beloved predecessor has survived the test of time
ArenaNet has announced Guild Wars 3, prompting a discussion on the enduring success of its predecessor, Guild Wars 2. Game director Joshua Davis attributes Guild Wars 2's longevity to early design decisions prioritizing horizontal progression and respecting player time, allowing players to return without feeling obsolete. The game's strong art direction, which focuses on cohesive visual storytelling over chasing the latest technology, also contributes to its lasting appeal.
The Stream Team: Exploring Eternity’s Garden in Guild Wars 2
MJ Guthrie continues the Visions of Eternity story in Guild Wars 2, focusing on chapter 10, Within Your Grasp, as she searches for Vloxx and the Spire of Exaltation. The article also lists upcoming streams for other games including Project: Gorgon, Return to Moria, RIFT, Crashout Crew, and No Man's Sky.
Confirmed: Guild Wars 2 will resume real annual expansions after Guild Wars 3 launches
ArenaNet has confirmed that Guild Wars 2 will return to releasing annual expansions following the launch of Guild Wars 3. This decision aims to provide a sustainable content model for the studio and the game, while also preparing Guild Wars 2 for an expected influx of new players tied to Guild Wars 3's release. Development of Guild Wars 2 expansions will continue in parallel with Guild Wars 3, with the existing Guild Wars 2 team focusing on non-expansion content and revamps during the interim period.