Guild Wars 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Guild Wars 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
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.
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.
Massively Overthinking: Which MMOs are a lot more popular than most people realize?
This article discusses the phenomenon of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) that are significantly more popular than mainstream perception suggests. Games like Elder Scrolls Online, Albion Online, RuneScape, and Guild Wars 2 are highlighted for their substantial revenue and player bases, despite often being overlooked by general gaming media. The discussion also touches upon the separate fanbases of Eastern MMORPGs and the tendency for some players to underestimate the continued success of established titles like World of Warcraft.
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.
The Stream Team: Pineapple choya racing and tropical transformations in Guild Wars 2
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie will be streaming Guild Wars 2 tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT, featuring pineapple choya racing and other transformations. The stream will be available on Twitch, with a full recording posted later.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 573: Project Demogorgon
The Massively OP Podcast episode 573 covers SpiritVale's early access launch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's Terror of Demogorgon expansion, and the cancellations of Overwatch Stadium and Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss Richard Garriott's comments on Ultima and the predictability of MMO experiences.
The Daily Grind: Does your MMO have a rivalry with another game?
This article discusses the phenomenon of rivalries between Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs), using examples like Destiny 2 and Marathon, and the long-standing perceived competition between World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, and Final Fantasy XIV. It questions the legitimacy and origins of these rivalries, encouraging readers to share their own experiences.
MMO Week in Review: Lament for Elder Scrolls Online
Microsoft's decision to lay off a significant portion of The Elder Scrolls Online team has led to further management turnover and a restructuring of the studio. This week's MMO news also covers the early access launch of SpiritVale, the cancellation of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, and discussions on lessons for Guild Wars 3.
Question time: How long have you been playing MMOs?
This opinion piece discusses the perceived age of MMO players and the evolution of MMO design towards seasonal structures and midcore content. It highlights the longevity of games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, contrasting them with the shorter lifespans of newer titles like New World. The author, who has played MMOs since middle school, invites readers to share their own experiences and how long they've been engaged with the genre.
A university is offering scholarships to MMORPG players who have completed lengthy grinds
The University of Silicon Valley is offering the Max Achievement Scholarship program, providing up to $5,000 per term for students who have completed significant in-game grinds in MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, and RuneScape. The university aims to recognize skills such as persistence and problem-solving demonstrated through these gaming achievements.
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.
The Stream Team: A Magical Journey for a pet rock in Guild Wars 2
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie is embarking on a quest in Guild Wars 2 to acquire a pet rock. The stream will cover this "magical journey" and the pursuit of the desired in-game item. The article also lists upcoming streams for Return to Moria, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and AdventureQuest 3D.
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.