Guild Wars 2 is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game in development by ArenaNet. Set in the fantasy world of Tyria, the game follows the re-emergence of Destiny's Edge, a disbanded guild dedicated to fighting the Elder Dragons, a Lovecraftian species that has seized control of Tyria in the time since the original Guild Wars. The game takes place in a persistent world with a story that progresses in instanced environments.
Guild Wars 2 claims to be unique in the genre by featuring a storyline that is responsive to player actions, something which is common in single player role-playing games but rarely (if ever) seen in multiplayer ones. A dynamic event system replaces traditional questing, utilising the ripple effect to allow players to approach quests in different ways as part of a persistent world. Also of note is the combat system, which aims to be more dynamic than its predecessor by promoting synergy between professions and using the environment as a weapon, as well as reducing the complexity of the Magic-style skill system of the original game. As a sequel to Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2 will feature the same lack of subscription fees that distinguished its predecessor from other commercially developed online games of the time, though a purchase is still required to install the game.
Story
For generations, war and chaos raged across the land of Tyria. Five
great races competed and warred against each other, struggling to tip
the balance of power in their favor.
Then the dragons woke.
The all-powerful beasts stirred from their millennial sleep under earth
and sea. With their magical breath the dragons spread destruction and
created legions of twisted slaves. A deathless dragon named Zhaitan
raised the sunken nation of Orr, triggering earthquakes and tidal waves
that destroyed entire cities across the Sea of Sorrows. Zhaitan's undead
armies surged from the sea, hungry for the destruction of the five
races of Tyria: the charr, a ferocious race of feline warriors; the
asura, magical inventors of small size and great intellect; the norn,
towering shapeshifters from the frigid northern lands; the sylvari, a
mysterious young race of visionary plant folk; and the humans, an
embattled but resilient people.
Now heroes from the five races must set aside ancient rivalries and
stand together against their common enemies in the sequel to the hit MMO
Guild Wars. Magic, technology, and cold steel will determine the
ultimate fate of the world.
Minimum System Requirements*
* Due to potential changes, system requirements may
change over time, and you may be required to upgrade your current system
(or obtain a new system) to continue to play the game.
- Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or better
- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo 2.0 GHz, Core i3, AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 or better
- 2 GB RAM
- NVIDIA® GeForce® 7800, ATI Radeon™ X1800, Intel HD 3000 or better (256MB of video RAM and shader model 3.0 or better)
- 25 GB available HDD space
- Broadband Internet connection
- Keyboard and mouse
$149.99 USD
Trailers
Error Problem
Error code 9:4:5:1093:101
“Your account does not have access to the Beta Weekend Event,” says ArenaNet Social Media Coordinator Rubi Bayer. “There are two possible reasons for this:
1) The first possibility is that you registered a Pre-Order serial code instead of a Pre-Purchase serial code. This means the Pre-Order serial code that you registered will give you 1-day Headstart Access before Guild Wars 2 launches, but will not provide you access to the Beta Weekend Events. Some retailers apparently are selling Pre-Orders as if they were Pre-Purchases, which is unintended. This error will not prevent you from receiving your boxed version of Guild Wars 2 when the game releases.
However, those of you that have already registered your Pre-Order serial code and received an email invite from Arenanet to join the Beta Weekend Event, we will honor the invitation. Receiving the invitation was a mistake on our part and you will be able to log in shortly. Note that no further Pre-Order serial codes can be registered at this time.
If you paid in full and received a Pre-Order serial code by mistake, please contact your retailer to have this serial code converted to a Pre-Purchase serial code. If you did not pay for the game in full, you may contact your retailer to have your Pre-Order converted to a Pre-Purchase when you pay for the game in full.
2) The second possibility is that the Pre-Purchase serial code you bought was blocked for credit-card fraud. A very small number of users may have purchased codes from unauthorized resellers who are selling codes they obtained illegally. Please confirm that the retailer you purchased from is on our authorized list of retailers. If you did not purchase your serial code from one of our authorized retailers, please contact the retailer from whom you made the purchase and request a refund.”
No Beta Weekend Event email invite
“First, be certain that you pre-purchased through one of our retail partners or https://buy.guildwars2.com/,” says Bayer. ”Once you have your serial code, register it at https://register.guildwars2.com/. Once you have successfully gone through the registration process, you are set for the Beta Weekend Event.
Next, go to this Guild Wars 2 forum post, logging in with the credentials you created during the registration process. https://forum-en.guildwars2.com/forum/info/news/Getting-StartedFollow the instructions given there, and you should find yourself downloading the client and ready for BWE before you know it!
If you successfully registered and did not receive an email, that’s okay. Follow the instructions exactly and you will be set for the Beta Weekend Event.”
Error code 48:1000:7006:529:101
“We are aware of the issues with the game and the forums,” stated a message on the Guild Wars 2 Facebook earlier today. “The team is working on them as fast as possible. We don’t have an ETA for a fix, but we’re aiming for “A.S.A.P. We know that there are still issues aside from the Error 48, and the devs are hard at work on those.”
FAQ
What type of game is Guild Wars 2?
At ArenaNet, we have one mission: to make
Guild Wars 2 the best MMORPG ever. To learn how we intend to do that, check out Studio Head Mike O'Brien's Design Manifesto blog post and our MMO Manifesto video!
Does Guild Wars 2 require a monthly subscription?
No,
Guild Wars 2 does not require a monthly subscription. You just buy the game and play it online.
When is Guild Wars 2 going to be released?
We expect to ship
Guild Wars 2 in 2012. The final release date will be determined by beta-testing feedback.
What are the minimum system requirements for Guild Wars 2?
Our goal with
Guild Wars 2 is to have it run on a wide range of Windows gaming PCs.
Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or better • Intel® Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz, Core i3, AMD Athlon 64 X2, or better • 2 GB RAM • NVIDIA® GeForce® 7800, ATI X1800, Intel HD 3000, or better (256MB of video RAM and shader model 3.0 or better) • 25 GB available HDD space • Broadband Internet connection • Keyboard and mouse
Note: Due to potential changes, system requirements may change over time and you may be required to upgrade your current system (or obtain a new system) to continue to play the game.
What countries and languages will Guild Wars 2 be available in?
The retail release of
Guild Wars 2 is intended for the Americas, Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Africa, and the Middle East. It will be available in English, French, and German, with a text-only localized version in Spanish.
How do I get into the beta?
Guild Wars 2 is currently in closed beta testing, which is by invitation only and under NDA. We plan to have our first non-NDA Beta Weekend Event in late April. For more information, please see the Beta section of the FAQ.
Can I play my original Guild Wars character in Guild Wars 2?
Guild Wars 2 is a whole new game with different professions and races, new technology, and expanded gameplay. It is not possible to directly use an original
Guild Wars character.
However, your original
Guild Wars character names will be reserved for your use in
Guild Wars 2. The Hall of Monuments in
Guild Wars 2 recognizes the accomplishments commemorated by your original
Guild Wars characters and provides you with unique rewards to showcase those achievements.
What benefits does the Hall of Monuments provide to Guild Wars 2 characters?
The achievements and honors accumulated by all the characters on your
Guild Wars account are commemorated in the Hall of Monuments, which is only available in
Guild Wars: Eye of the North. The monuments in the Hall are worth points that can be used to provide your
Guild Wars 2 characters with exclusive titles, items, mini-pets, and animal companions. Use the Hall of Monuments Reward Calculator to determine what rewards you've unlocked, and discover what other items will be available when
Guild Wars 2 launches.
Will Guild Wars 2 have non-human playable races?
Absolutely! In addition to humans, players will be able to create, customize, and play a variety of non-human races.
- Charr—Ascalon's conquerors, the charr are ferocious, warmongering creatures--the intractable foes of humanity. Now, as greater dangers threaten their conquests, charr legions and their war machines prepare for battle.
- Norn—Towering brawlers from the frigid northern lands, the norn can shape-shift into mighty bestial forms. Driven from their homeland by a force beyond reckoning, they have regrouped among the dwarven ruins of the Shiverpeaks.
- Asura—This advanced race, possessing both small size and great intellect, once ruled the caverns and tunnels below Tyria. Now that they have risen from below, the asura aim to rule the surface world with their powerful golems and ingenious plans.
- Sylvari—Not much is known of the sylvari, save that they are a race of sentient plant-beings, newly blossomed into the world. The sylvari are the youngest of the races, bound together by a common dream and awesome power.
How many professions does Guild Wars 2 have?
Guild Wars 2 will have eight professions with very distinct playstyles and skills. We have currently announced the elementalist, the warrior, the ranger, the necromancer, the guardian, the thief, the engineer, and the mesmer.
How will character progression work? Will you be raising the level cap?
Guild Wars 2 will have the kind of extensive character advancement appropriate to a persistent-world RPG. Our goal is to avoid forcing players into the grind-based gameplay that too often accompanies a high level cap.
Also, to allow players the freedom to play together even if their friends are at a much higher (or lower) level, we are planning to implement a strong sidekick system, similar to that used in City of Heroes™.
We're applying this same philosophy to competitive play. Players will be able to engage in organized, balanced PvP (similar to GvG in the original
Guild Wars) without first leveling up characters, finding equipment, and unlocking skills. While inside the organized PvP area, all characters will be the same power level and will have access to the same equipment.
Will Guild Wars 2 be solo-able?
Yes. You will be able to advance your character to the maximum level without ever joining a group, if you so desire. Most content will be designed in a solo-friendly way, though often with mechanisms for scaling up in difficulty when more players are involved. This will give players the option to experience the game however they prefer.
At the same time, it is important for an MMO community to join together to overcome challenges.
Guild Wars 2 will feature challenges that require players to join forces.
Will players be able to explore underwater?
Absolutely! We want to make underwater exploration easy and exciting for players and eliminate some of the traditional limitations (i.e., drowning) to aquatic travel found in many games. The underwater zones open up exciting new possibilities and greatly expand the explorable areas in
Guild Wars 2.
How do I sign up for a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
Go to
beta.guildwars2.com and follow the instructions.
How old do I need to be to participate in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
You should be 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or legal guardian create your account and sign the NDA on your behalf.
Do I need to sign an NDA to participate in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
Yes. All participants are required to sign an NDA. All content in the
Guild Wars 2 Beta Events is confidential. If you are participating in a
Guild Wars 2 Beta Event, you should also not disclose that you are a participant.
What does NDA stand for and what does that mean for me?
NDA stands for Non-Disclosure Agreement. An NDA is a legal contract between ArenaNet and you that states all content in the
Guild Wars 2 Beta Events is confidential. By signing the NDA, you agree to not disclose that you are a participant in a
Guild Wars 2 Beta Event and to not disclose any information about the content. Breaking the NDA can lead to legal proceedings.
What happens if I talk to my friends or the public about being in a Beta Event or post screen shots to Facebook/my blog/my fansite?
By signing the NDA, you are entering into a legally binding contract with ArenaNet. Any "leaking" of information, images, or your participation in a Beta Event will result in serious ramification, up to and including being barred from participating in future Beta Events with ArenaNet, account termination, and legal proceedings.
Why do I have to sign an NDA?
ArenaNet has a right to protect its intellectual property. You are entering into a game world that is not complete and that is still in the testing phase. Any information or images released at this stage may give an incorrect representation of the game or unveil confidential information that jeopardizes future development.
What are the minimum system specs required to participate in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
These have not been finalized, so we are asking all Beta Event applicants to provide their PC specifications. We will make our selections based on the state of the code at the time of the Beta Event.
Can I test on other operating systems, such as Linux or Mac?
Players should participate in
Guild Wars 2 Beta Events using Windows PCs.
Do I need an existing Guild Wars account to sign up for a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
No.
How are Guild Wars 2 Beta Event testers selected?
This is determined by our development team and will differ from event to event.
How will I know if I've been selected to participate in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
If you get into a
Guild Wars 2 Beta Event, you will receive a message at the e-mail address you used to sign up for the Beta, which will confirm that you have been accepted and will provide instructions on how to proceed.
How many players do you plan to invite to Guild Wars 2 Beta Events?
We will be having more than one Beta Event, and the test numbers will grow as we get closer to release. We will keep your sign-up information on file, and if we need you to test later, we'll get in touch.
How do I verify if I am eligible for a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
When you finish the Beta Event sign-up process, you will receive e-mail confirmation that your application has been accepted for consideration.
I didn't receive an e-mail confirmation after submitting my information to the Guild Wars 2 Beta Event sign-up.
You must use a valid e-mail address to participate in a
Guild Wars 2 Beta Event. Check your junk or spam folder if you didn't receive it. You can resend your confirmation e-mail by visiting the Beta Event sign-up page after the sign-up period has ended.
I got selected but can't play at the time of the Beta Event. Can I get a rain check for a subsequent Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
No, you cannot get a rain check for Beta Events for which you are accepted but are unable to participate. However, you're still eligible to be chosen for subsequent Beta Events.
If I am accepted into and participate in one Beta Event, does this mean I will be admitted into all subsequent Beta Events?
No, admission into one Beta Event does not guarantee admission into subsequent Beta Events.
Which regions can participate in Guild Wars 2 Beta Events?
Our datacenters are located in North America and Europe, and we expect that is where most of our beta participants will be located, but we do not explicitly bar any regions from participating in our Beta Events.
What languages will the Guild Wars 2 Beta Events be in?
English, German, and French.
Can I reserve my Guild Wars 2 character name during a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
No. All characters will be wiped from servers before launch.
Can I reserve my Guild Wars 2 guild name during a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
No. You cannot reserve your
Guild Wars 2 guild name during a Beta Event.
Can I use my original Guild Wars character name in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
You can, but for the purposes of the
Guild Wars 2 Beta Events, your original
Guild Wars character names are not reserved. However, when
Guild Wars 2 is released, your original Guild War character names will be reserved for you.
Will the progress I make during a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event carry over when Guild Wars 2 launches?
No. Everything will be wiped in preparation for launch.
Can I play my original Guild Wars character in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
No.
Guild Wars 2 is a whole new game with different professions and races, new technology, and expanded gameplay. It is not possible to use an original
Guild Wars character in
Guild Wars 2.
Will the test servers be open 24/7, or will you have specific periods for testing?
Details will be provided if you are accepted into a Beta Event.
How do I submit bug reports and feedback?
Details about how to submit bug reports and feedback will be provided if you are accepted into a Beta Event.
Is this the only beta sign-up that you will have for Guild Wars 2?
No, we will have additional sign-up periods in the future. If you sign up now, you will NOT have to sign up again in order to be considered for future Beta Events.
I have multiple graphics cards and/or hard drives, but Scannertron 5000 is not recognizing them.
Although Scannertron does not display the additional graphics cards or hard-disk drives in the summary, it does detect them, and it is sending us all the information.
How do I contact Customer Support?
Details on how you can contact Customer Support for the
Guild Wars 2 Beta Events will be provided if you are accepted.
How old do I need to be to participate in a Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend Event?
To access the Beta Weekend Events that are part of the
Guild Wars 2 Pre-Purchase program, you should be 13 years of age or older in the U.S. and 12 years or older in Europe.
What is Pre-Purchase?
Customers who pre-purchase the game pay for the game in full and will enjoy guaranteed access to our Beta Weekend Events, three-day Headstart Access to the final game, and the Hero's Band digital item designed to enhance your gameplay experience.
What if I don't want to pay in full in advance?
In addition to Pre-Purchase, a number of our retail partners are offering Pre-Order programs. Customers who pre-order will receive one-day Headstart Access to the final game.
Which products are available for Pre-Purchase?
Customers will be able to pre-purchase the
Guild Wars 2 Digital Edition and the
Guild Wars 2 Digital Deluxe Edition directly from NCsoft. In addition to the digital products, certain retailers will also be offering physical Pre-Purchase of the
Guild Wars 2 Standard Edition and the
Guild Wars 2 Collector's Edition.
Are Pre-Purchase benefits available for physical copies of Guild Wars 2?
Yes. If you pre-purchase a physical product through a retailer, you will receive access to our Beta Events, 3-day Headstart Access, and the Hero's Band in-game item.
How does physical Pre-Purchase work?
Physical Pre-Purchase for
Guild Wars 2 is only available at select retailers. The details of how this will work will differ slightly depending on which edition customers purchase and where they purchase it.
- Standard Edition (North America)—Customers who pre-purchase the Guild Wars 2 Standard Edition will receive their Pre-Purchase serial code in different ways depending on where it was purchased.
- U.S. customers will receive their Pre-Purchase serial code on a store receipt or in an email from the retailer.
- Canadian customers will receive their Pre-Purchase serial code inside of the Standard Edition Pre-Purchase box.
- Customers in Australia and New Zealand will receive their Pre-Purchase serial code on a Standard Edition Pre-Purchase card.
Every customer will then go to https://register.guildwars2.com and follow the on-screen instructions to create a Guild Wars 2 account and apply the Pre-Purchase serial code. This will give them access to Beta Weekend Events, the Hero's Band digital item, and three-day Headstart Access to the final game.
When Guild Wars 2 launches, customers will need to return to the retailer with proof of purchase in order to receive the full Standard Edition box and the retail serial code. They'll need to apply this retail serial code to their Guild Wars 2 account within five days of launch to continue playing without interruption.
- Standard Edition (Europe)—Customers will buy the Standard Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive their serial code. This is the only serial code customers will receive and will grant access to the Beta Weekend Events, three-day Headstart Access, the Hero's Band digital item, and full access to the final live game. Customers will not need to return to the retailer to receive another serial code.
- Collector's Edition (North America and Europe)—Customers will buy the Collector's Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive a Pre-Purchase serial code. They will then go to https://register.guildwars2.com and follow the on-screen instructions to create a Guild Wars 2 account and apply the serial code, which will give them access to Beta Weekend Events and three-day Headstart Access to the final game. When Guild Wars 2 launches, customers will need to return to their retailer with proof of purchase to receive the full Collector's Edition box with physical items and retail serial code. They will need to apply this retail serial code to their Guild Wars 2 account within five days to continue playing without interruption.
Which countries and retailers will offer Pre-Purchase or Pre-Order?
A list of countries and participating retailers is located
here. We will continue to add to this list, so check back often.
When do Beta Weekend Events (BWEs) start, and how many will there be?
The first BWE is currently planned for late April, and we expect to have one every month or so. The schedule is subject to change and will be confirmed at a later date. Currently, we do not know how many of these events we will have.
Is Pre-Purchase the only way to get into Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend Events?
Pre-Purchase is the only guaranteed way to get into all Beta Weekend Events. We will also be running promotions for access to individual Beta Weekend Events.
I already signed up for the Guild Wars 2 beta. Do I need to pre-purchase?
If you want to get guaranteed access to all Beta Weekend Events, yes, you must pre-purchase. Simply signing up for the beta does not guarantee access to the Beta Weekend Events.
What benefits does the Hero's Band provide?
The Hero's Band is an in-game ring that will be available to every character on your account. When worn by your character, the ring provides the following benefits: +2 Power, +2 Precision, +2 Toughness, +2 Vitality, +2 Condition Damage, +2% Critical Damage, +2 Healing.
How will I receive the Hero's Band?
When you log in to
Guild Wars 2 and create a character, you will be able to obtain the Hero's Band via the in-game mail system.
Will I be able to reserve character and guild names during the Headstart Access?
Yes, players who have Headstart Access will be able to claim character and guild names that will carry over when
Guild Wars 2 goes live. Players who pre-purchase and receive three-day Headstart Access will have an advantage in choosing character and guild names over players who pre-order and receive one-day Headstart Access.
I'm an original Guild Wars player--will I be able to reserve my character name in Guild Wars 2?
Guild Wars players will have an opportunity to secure their character names in
Guild Wars 2. We'll have more information about this feature in the future.
I ordered one of the digital editions. How will I obtain the final manual for Guild Wars 2?
Final documentation for
Guild Wars 2 will be available on our Web site at launch.
I already pre-ordered Guild Wars 2 at a retailer before April 10. How do I ensure I receive either the Pre-Purchase or Pre-Order bonuses?
The only way to obtain all the benefits of the official
Guild Wars 2 Pre-Purchase program is to wait until April 10th and conduct a transaction through the official buy.guildwars2.com Web site or through an authorized retailer. In the meantime, if you pre-ordered the game before April 10th, you will need to work with that retailer to determine if your pre-order will be converted to an official
Guild Wars 2 Pre-Purchase. If you have not pre-ordered or pre-purchased
Guild Wars 2, we strongly encourage you to wait until April 10th and make a transaction through a source listed on our official Web site.
Is my copy of Guild Wars 2 tied to my region?
Yes. To play from North America you must purchase a North American copy of the game. To play from Europe you must purchase a European copy of the game. Note that this restriction impacts where you can play from, not which game worlds you can choose to play on.
By purchasing the correct copy of the game, you're supporting the game in your country, and you'll be connecting to your local data center, using your local customer support team, and downloading the correct language support for your country.
If I pre-purchase the physical Collector's Edition, will there be a digital download to ensure I have the client before release?
Yes, all players who pre-purchase or pre-order
Guild Wars 2 will be able to download the client prior to release so they can participate in the Headstart Access.
How will I receive the Collector's Edition digital items?
When you log in to
Guild Wars 2 and create a character, you will be able to obtain your digital items via the in-game mail system.
How does the Golem Banker work?
The Golem Banker provides unlimited access to your account storage from anywhere in-game for five consecutive days. The five-day period begins when you first use the Golem Banker. During the five-day period, you can use the Golem Banker's service as many times as you'd like.
How does the Chalice of Glory work?
The Chalice of Glory is a one-time use item that will add a set amount of Glory to your account. Once used, the Chalice will be destroyed and the bonus will be reflected on your account.
How does the Tome of Influence work?
The Tome of Influence is a one-time use item that will add a set amount of Influence to the guild you're representing. Once used, the Tome will be destroyed and the bonus will be reflected on the guild you are representing at the time of use.
How does the Summon Mistfire Wolf elite skill work?
When used, the elite skill will summon a Mistfire Wolf to temporarily fight alongside you and your allies.
Can I upgrade from a physical Standard Edition copy to Digital Deluxe?
Yes, we will provide an upgrade path if you have Standard Edition and wish to upgrade to Digital Deluxe. We will release more information on this in the future.
If I pre-purchase the Collector's Edition, how long do I have to collect the final box and code from the store to keep my account active?
If you pre-purchase the Collector's Edition, you will have five-days after the
Guild Wars 2 launch date to apply your retail serial code. If your code isn't entered during the five-day period, you will be unable to access the game until you do apply the code to your account.