20 May 2012 06:37
Join Our Seventh Anniversary Celebration!
To celebrate the seventh anniversary of Guild Wars, we're hosting an in-game party—and you're invited! Two weeks full of games, sugary treats, and anniversary surprises starts at noon Pacific on April 24. Check out our anniversary page for more details!
Discontinuing support for older versions of Windows
Since the launch of Guild Wars in 2005 we’ve stayed locked into our original minimum system requirements. Unfortunately, the game has reached a point where this is preventing us from deploying important features. After serious consideration, we’ve decided that Guild Wars will no longer be supported on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows ME beginning June 14, 2012. In order to continue to play Guild Wars after this date, we recommend upgrading to a more recent version of Windows. Realistically, we do not expect this to impact the vast majority of Guild Wars players. Our logs indicate that fewer than 0.05% of our active players use one of these versions of Windows. Discontinuing support for older versions of Windows allows us to deploy features that will improve account management and security. We will be updating the System Requirements on our websites, but we wanted to provide an advance notice to you so that you can prepare for the change. If you have any questions, please visit the Guild Wars Support Forums:https://forum.guildwars.com/forum/forums/tech/Discontinuing-support-for-older-versions-of-Windows/
Since the launch of Guild Wars in 2005 we’ve stayed locked into our original minimum system requirements. Unfortunately, the game has reached a point where this is preventing us from deploying important features. After serious consideration, we’ve decided that Guild Wars will no longer be supported on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows ME beginning June 14, 2012. In order to continue to play Guild Wars after this date, we recommend upgrading to a more recent version of Windows.
Realistically, we do not expect this to impact the vast majority of Guild Wars players. Our logs indicate that fewer than 0.05% of our active players use one of these versions of Windows. Discontinuing support for older versions of Windows allows us to deploy features that will improve account management and security. We will be updating the System Requirements on our websites, but we wanted to provide an advance notice to you so that you can prepare for the change. If you have any questions, please visit the Guild Wars Support Forums:
https://forum.guildwars.com/forum/forums/tech/Discontinuing-support-for-older-versions-of-Windows/
A New Look for GuildWars.com
Get ready, because within the next few weeks you're going to see some major improvements to the Guild Wars website! We're working on some big changes behind the scenes that will result in a sleek, shiny new GuildWars.com. This redesigned site will feature an updated appearance and an improved layout, but most importantly, it will help you stay up to date on everything that's happening in the Guild Wars game and community. See you soon on the new website!
Experience the final chapter of Winds of Change!
Battle for the fate of Cantha in the final chapter of Winds of Change, a sweeping saga that features new quests, history-making battles, and Canthan costumes! Learn more at our Winds of Change page!
The Canthan New Year is nearly here!
The Year of the Dragon is upon us! Hop over to the Canthan New Year's Festival web page and take in of all the fantastic stuff we have planned for this year. The festivities begin on Thursday, February 2nd and wrap up on Monday, February 6th.
Elementalist Skills Updated
We've made a major update to the Elementalist, improving their viability in PvE. Try out the enhanced elementalist today! Check out our Developer Update to learn more!
Wintersday Cheer is Here!
Prepare for two weeks of holiday fun – Wintersday is here! The annual in-game festivities run from December 15 to January 2, and this year we're featuring two brand new costumes! Learn more at our Wintersday 2011 web page.
Xunlai Storage Panes On Sale Now!
We've cut the price on the Xunlai Storage Pane down to $6.99 for one week only. Stop by the In-Game Store or NCsoft Store and stock up on storage for the holidays! Don't delay, the sale ends at Noon Pacific on December 8.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale – Half Off Trilogy and GWEN
For one weekend only, we're hacking prices on Guild Wars in half! Pick up the Guild Wars Trilogy for $14.99 and Eye of the North for just $9.99. Take advantage of this great deal now – the sale runs from November 25 (12:01 AM Pacific Time) to November 28 (11:59 PM Pacific Time) in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store!
Give Thanks for Pumpkin Pie and Hard Apple Cider
As the nights become shorter and autumn winds blow through Tyria, it's time to give thanks for this year's harvest with some seasonal treats! From Nov 23-28, enemies in PVE will randomly drop Hard Apple Cider and Slice of Pumpkin Pie, two tasty consumables that are sure to please!
Halloween Hats Encore!
This past Halloween, many Guild Wars players on the East Coast of the USA were unable to participate in the big holiday finale and missed out on this year's festival hats. To address the situation, two Halloween Hat NPCs will appear in-game from Nov 17 through Nov 24. Find Aahtan in Kamadan or Erulis in Lion's Arch to exchange Halloween items for this year's hats!
Halloween Art Contest Winners!
It was a tough decision, but we have selected the Halloween Art Contest winners from a field of fantastic entries. Thank you to all who participated! Check out the winning art right here.
Halloween is Coming!
Halloween is coming to Tyria, so prepare for 13 days of mischief and mayhem, courtesy of Mad King Thorn and his Lunatic Court! The Halloween festival starts on Thursday, October 20, at noon Pacific daylight time (-7 GMT) and runs until 12:01 a.m. on November 2. This year we're offering two spooky new costumes: the Vale Wraith and Ravenheart Witchwear. As always, Mad King Thorn himself will make a series of appearances on October 31! Be there—but beware! Head over to the Halloween 2011 page for the details!
Community: Pink Day in LA is Coming! – 30 September 2011
Save the date! October 15 is just around the corner, and that means Pink Day in LA is coming soon! Find out more about this charity event in support of breast cancer research on the Community News page!
Return to Cantha with Winds of Change Part 2
Experience the second phase of the three-part Winds of Change storyline – now live in-game. Battle for the soul of Cantha with all new-content, and check out our updated Winds of Change web page right here!
Enter the Guild Wars Halloween Art Contest!
The days are growing shorter, the air is crisp, and pumpkins are ripe on the vine – fall is here! If you're like us, you're counting the days until Halloween. Help us celebrate the season by entering our seventh annual Guild Wars Halloween Art Contest! Design a costume, carve a pumpkin, create a spooky piece of art, or whatever the spirits inspire you to create. Learn how to enter the contest right here!
Community: July Events – 15 July 2011
The Presearing Community and Blade Radio have created a couple of cool in-game events for you. Check out this edition of Community News for more info!
Beat the Heat with Wintersday in July
Summer is in full swing, but there's a chance to cool off in Tyria during Wintersday in July. This year, as a special treat, those who spend the weekend slinging snowballs can do so in their favorite costumes and festival hats! Join us, starting at noon Pacific (-7 GMT), and find out just how refreshing it is to drink an eggnog in the summer sun. See the event page for more details.
Winds of Change - New Storyline! New Costumes!
Winds of Change is a multi-stage storyline set in Cantha that features new quests, new Canthan costumes, and history-making battles.
Celebrate the Dragon Festival this Weekend
Summer in Cantha brings the Dragon Festival, that annual celebration of the rebirth of the Empire of the Dragon from the devastation of the Jade Wind. Travel to Cantha and join the festivities in the Shing Jea Monastery from June 30th to July 4th. You'll find games of chance, rollerbeetle races, holiday quests and treats, and a visit from the Emperor himself!Explore the wonders of the Dragon Festival here!
Introducing the <i>Guild Wars</i> Support Forums
We have just launched Guild Wars Support Forums, an online resource for Guild Wars players who have technical issues, want to submit a bug report, or have problems with their account. Players will use their Guild Wars game account to register on these forums, which are currently only available in English. Keep in mind that these forums are for support-related issues only.
Guild Wars Maintenance Notice
We'll be doing some maintenance work on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 12:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time. We expect the work to take about an hour, during which you will not be able to log in. We're sorry for any inconvenience, and appreciate your patience.Start time: Thursday, June 9, 12:01 AM PDTEnd time: Thursday, June 9, 1:01 AM PDT
Last Week of Our Sixth Anniversary Sale - 50% Off Character Slots
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off Character Slots – available until Thursday June 9 in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store.
50% Off Eye of the North - Our Sixth Anniversary Sale Continues
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off Guild Wars: Eye of the North – available until Thursday June 2 in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.
50% Off Makeovers - Sixth Anniversary Sale!
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off the Extreme Makeover and Makeover Pack - available until Thursday May 26 in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.
50% Off Bonus Mission Pack - Sixth Anniversary Sale Continues
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off the Bonus Mission Pack – available until Thursday May 19 in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.
Our Sixth Anniversary Sale Continues - 50% Off Storage Panes
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off Storage Panes – available until Thursday May 12 in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011. The remaining items to go on sale are: Storage Panes – May 5 to May 12 Bonus Mission Pack – May 12 to May 19 Makeover /Makeover Pack – May 19 to May 26 Guild Wars: Eye of the North – May 26 to June 2 Character Slot – June 2 to June 9
Join Our Sixth Anniversary Celebration!
To celebrate the sixth anniversary of Guild Wars, we're hosting an in-game party – and you're invited! A week full of games, sugary treats, and anniversary surprises starts at noon Pacific on April 28. Check out our anniversary page for more details!
Community: Guild Wars Guru Tournament Series...
This weekend, Guild Wars Guru starts off their 2011 GvG Championship Series tournament, and the folks at [Lore] are hosting MantleCon! You're invited, so head over to Community News for more details!
The Past and Future Collide
To coincide with the most recent Guild Wars 2 profession reveal – the commando – we have added a new quest that allows you to step into the combat boots of these hardened veterans for a sneak peak at how they will play in Guild Wars 2. Head to Embark Beach and speak with Corporal Bane to check it out – you can't miss him!
Community: Galas, Masquerades, and More!
You're invited to some awesome parties organized by players like you! Read the latest edition of Community News for more details!
Discover Embark Beach!
From Embark Beach, a brand new outpost in the Battle Isles, your party can travel together to any Guild Wars destination. We've also added a lot of improvements and features, from seven Hero parties to improved minion UI to the all new Mercenary Hero slots. It's all part of our latest update, Destination: Embark Beach!
New Security Update on NCsoft Master Accounts
We are increasing our security measures again by setting up additional security questions for all accounts. This enhanced system is part of our ongoing effort to ensure a safe and secure gaming environment for you. Read our wiki page for more details!
Major Dervish Skill Balance
We made some major changes to nearly every Dervish skill and we think you're going to like the results. To learn more about the improvements to the Dervish, check out our developer update.
Community: Screenies, Tutorials, and Celebrations! - 04 February 2011
Community News is back with another edition chock full of events and activities from players like you! See what your compatriots are up to and see how you can participate! Read on for more information!
The Year of the Rabbit is upon us! Hop over to the Canthan New Year's Festival web page and take in of all the fantastic stuff we have planned for this year. The festivities begin on Thursday, February 3rd and wrap up on Monday, February 7th.
Wintersday Art Contest Winners!!
A hearty congratulations to the winners of this year's Wintersday Art Contest and a sincere thank you to all who entered! Find out who won right here!
Welcome to Wintersday 2010
Wintersday is almost here! It's that festive time of year when towns glimmer with cheery decor, vendors sell seasonal treats, and goodwill fills the hearts of Tyrians everywhere. This year we've got new costumes and brand-new holiday content. Wintersday events begin on Thursday, December 16, 2010, and run until Monday, January 3, 2011. Visit our Wintersday page to learn more!
Eye of the North Now 50% Off!
For a limited time, we're slashing the price of Guild Wars: Eye of the North in half! Eye of the North is the only way to access the Hall of Monuments, a personalized trophy vault where you can earn special items, weapons, and titles for your Guild Wars 2 character! Hurry to the NCsoft Store—the 50% off sale ends December 29, 2010!
Wintersday Art Contest begins Dec 1st!
Share your creativity and spread some holiday cheer in the Guild Wars community! Enter the Wintersday Art Contest, beginning December 1st! See the contest page for details.
Hearts of the North: Now Live!
It begins today! Hearts of the North, the next phase in Guild Wars Beyond, tells the story of the union of Gwen and Keiran Thackeray. You'll reunite these legendary heroes and help prepare for their wedding through a series of all-new quests and missions. You can even dress for the occasion in one of our elegant new wedding costumes! Head over to our Hearts of the North page right here. Also be sure to check out Lead Designer John Stumme's most recent developer update, where he discusses Guild Wars Beyond and gives insight into the content you will discover!
It begins today! Hearts of the North, the next phase in Guild Wars Beyond, tells the story of the union of Gwen and Keiran Thackeray. You'll reunite these legendary heroes and help prepare for their wedding through a series of all-new quests and missions. You can even dress for the occasion in one of our elegant new wedding costumes!
Head over to our Hearts of the North page right here. Also be sure to check out Lead Designer John Stumme's most recent developer update, where he discusses Guild Wars Beyond and gives insight into the content you will discover!
Announcing the Halloween Art Contest Winners!
We had so many excellent entries to the Guild Wars Halloween Art Contest that it was difficult to choose the winners. Thanks so much to everyone who entered this year's contest – there's a lot of talent and Halloween spirit out there! Check out the winning entries right here.
Community: Halloween Celebrations!
Our community loves Halloween as much as we do! This edition of Community News is filled to the brim with player-run events celebrating the spookiest time of the year! Read on for more on how you can join in on the fun!
Halloween is coming, so prepare for 13 days of mischief and mayhem, courtesy of Mad King Thorn and his Lunatic Court! The Halloween festival starts on Thursday, October 21st, at noon Pacific Daylight Time (-7 GMT) and runs until 12:01 a.m. PDT on November 2nd. Join the festivities by embarking on one of our all new quests, dressing up in a new Halloween costume, crashing the annual Costume Brawl, venturing into the Underworld to battle Dhuum, and much more! As always, Mad King Thorn himself will make a series of appearances on October 31st! Be there—but beware! Head over to the Halloween 2010 page for the details!
Halloween is coming, so prepare for 13 days of mischief and mayhem, courtesy of Mad King Thorn and his Lunatic Court!
The Halloween festival starts on Thursday, October 21st, at noon Pacific Daylight Time (-7 GMT) and runs until 12:01 a.m. PDT on November 2nd. Join the festivities by embarking on one of our all new quests, dressing up in a new Halloween costume, crashing the annual Costume Brawl, venturing into the Underworld to battle Dhuum, and much more! As always, Mad King Thorn himself will make a series of appearances on October 31st!
Be there—but beware! Head over to the Halloween 2010 page for the details!
Think Pink! Support Breast Cancer Research
ArenaNet is happy to support Gaming World Entertainment Network, Malibu Barbie, and the Gamers Giving Back team, who are hosting Pink Day in LA to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society and breast cancer research! They've got lots of prizes and fun activities planned, and we've pitched in by adding a special pink dye vendor to Lion's Arch so everyone can get in the spirit! Pink Day in LA takes place on October 16 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (GMT -6) in the Lion's Arch International Districts. For more information on Pink Day in LA, check the event page and the official Pink Day in LA website.
ArenaNet is happy to support Gaming World Entertainment Network, Malibu Barbie, and the Gamers Giving Back team, who are hosting Pink Day in LA to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society and breast cancer research! They've got lots of prizes and fun activities planned, and we've pitched in by adding a special pink dye vendor to Lion's Arch so everyone can get in the spirit!
Pink Day in LA takes place on October 16 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (GMT -6) in the Lion's Arch International Districts. For more information on Pink Day in LA, check the event page and the official Pink Day in LA website.
Eye of the North Sale – 33% Off!
For one week only, Guild Wars: Eye of the North is 33% off! Earn achievements in the Hall of Monuments that will directly benefit your Guild Wars 2 characters! The sale runs from October 8 through October 15. Get your copy now and begin forging your legacy today!
Oppressor's Weapons in the Hall of Monuments!
Hearken, heroes of the War in Kryta! In recognition of your efforts in battle—and in response to your direct feedback—we've added support to the Hall of Monuments for Oppressor's weapons. Head over to the ArenaNet blog for more details, and remember: there's still time to fill out the War in Kryta survey, helping us bring you the best for the next chapter of Guild Wars Beyond.
The days are growing shorter, the air is crisp, and pumpkins are ripe on the vine – fall is here! If you're like us, you're counting the days until Halloween. Help us celebrate the season by entering our sixth annual Guild Wars Halloween Art Contest! Design a costume, carve a pumpkin, create a spooky piece of art, or whatever the spirits inspire you to create. Learn how to enter the contest here!
The days are growing shorter, the air is crisp, and pumpkins are ripe on the vine – fall is here! If you're like us, you're counting the days until Halloween. Help us celebrate the season by entering our sixth annual Guild Wars Halloween Art Contest! Design a costume, carve a pumpkin, create a spooky piece of art, or whatever the spirits inspire you to create.
Learn how to enter the contest here!
Take our War in Kryta Survey!
Did you take up arms in the War in Kryta? Share your feedback about the content with us – fill out our War in Kryta survey today!
Community: Upcoming Events!
Autumn is here, Halloween is fast-approaching, and the ever-creative Guild Wars fan community has some exciting events coming up! Check out the details in this edition of Community News!
End-of-Summer Storage Sale
Looking for a place to store your Summer acquisitions or just making some extra room for the holidays? Xunlai Storage Panes are 50% off from now until Sunday, September 19th (11:59 PM PDT)! Visit the Guild Wars In-Game Store or the NCsoft Store to take advantage of this limited time offer!
Looking for a place to store your Summer acquisitions or just making some extra room for the holidays? Xunlai Storage Panes are 50% off from now until Sunday, September 19th (11:59 PM PDT)!
Visit the Guild Wars In-Game Store or the NCsoft Store to take advantage of this limited time offer!
Community: Summer Events
In this edition of Community News, you're invited to party with Forever Knights, and GuildMag has extensive War in Kryta coverage. Head over here to read more!
July GvG Tournament Results
In July tournament news, Whats Going On [sup] defeated Good Tactics [Good] to become this month's GvG champions. Congratulations to all of our competing guilds! For the complete list of this month's rankings, head over here. It's a new month, so the Zaishen Chest now offers a new tonic. Using keys will give you the chance to net yourself a Trapdoor Tonic, which will transform you into a spider! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
In July tournament news, Whats Going On [sup] defeated Good Tactics [Good] to become this month's GvG champions. Congratulations to all of our competing guilds! For the complete list of this month's rankings, head over here.
It's a new month, so the Zaishen Chest now offers a new tonic. Using keys will give you the chance to net yourself a Trapdoor Tonic, which will transform you into a spider! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
Wintersday in July
Summer is heating up, so don't miss the chance to chill out at our Wintersday in July celebration! The festivities start today at noon PST and last until 11:59 PM PST on Sunday. Head over to our event page to find out the rest of the details.
The Battle for Lion's Arch Ends the War in Kryta!
Months of warfare and suffering have lead to this one final battle between the diabolical White Mantle and the rebel Shining Blade for the fate of Kryta! Take up arms against the oppressors and make history in this climactic clash, which is now available in-game. Learn more about the epic War in Kryta here!
June GvG Tournament Results
In this month's tournament news, Inadequately Retired [GoLd] claimed victory Russisches Quellwasser Vod [ka] to become our June GvG champions. We'd like to extend our congratulations to all of our competitors! For the complete list of this month's GvG rankings, head over here. Since it's a new month, the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Use those keys for a chance to find a Boreal Tonic, which will allow you to transform yourself into a norn! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
In this month's tournament news, Inadequately Retired [GoLd] claimed victory Russisches Quellwasser Vod [ka] to become our June GvG champions. We'd like to extend our congratulations to all of our competitors! For the complete list of this month's GvG rankings, head over here.
Since it's a new month, the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Use those keys for a chance to find a Boreal Tonic, which will allow you to transform yourself into a norn! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
Community: For Your Eyes and Ears
Learn about GuildMag's latest issue and their podcast in this edition of Community News!
Community: Party in Shing Jea!
Gaming World Entertainment Network celebrates their website launch in Shing Jea Monastery, and Calaval Elwvyan has some cool videos to share in the latest edition of Guild Wars Community News!
Summer Fun at the Dragon Festival
It's almost time for the Dragon Festival, the annual celebration of the rebirth of the Empire of the Dragon from the devastation of the Jade Wind. Travel to distant Cantha and join the festivities in the Shing Jea Monastery from July 1st to July 4th, where you'll find games of chance, rollerbeetle races, holiday quests and treats, and a visit from the Emperor himself! Explore the wonders of the Dragon Festival here!
It's almost time for the Dragon Festival, the annual celebration of the rebirth of the Empire of the Dragon from the devastation of the Jade Wind. Travel to distant Cantha and join the festivities in the Shing Jea Monastery from July 1st to July 4th, where you'll find games of chance, rollerbeetle races, holiday quests and treats, and a visit from the Emperor himself!
Explore the wonders of the Dragon Festival here!
Live Update: War in Kryta and GvG Changes
The focus of today's live update is the ongoing conflict in Kryta, but we've also made several changes that address issues in GvG. To read detailed notes about today's update, head over here. For more information about changes made to GvG and an update on where we're at with upcoming skill balance builds, check out this month's developer's update.
The focus of today's live update is the ongoing conflict in Kryta, but we've also made several changes that address issues in GvG.
To read detailed notes about today's update, head over here. For more information about changes made to GvG and an update on where we're at with upcoming skill balance builds, check out this month's developer's update.
Community: World Cup Mania and More!
Our German and French communities have some great updates, including a World Cup themed contest from Wartower and a chronicle of the War in Kryta from the French site Univers Virtuels! Find out about these and more in Community News!
May GvG Tournament Results
May's GvG tournament has concluded, and we have the results! This month, Get Good [GG] defeated The Marvel Superheroes [MSH] to claim the championship. For the complete list of this month's GvG rankings, head over here. The start of a new month means that the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Make Zinn proud by using those Zaishen Keys for a chance to find June's Automatonic! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
May's GvG tournament has concluded, and we have the results! This month, Get Good [GG] defeated The Marvel Superheroes [MSH] to claim the championship. For the complete list of this month's GvG rankings, head over here.
The start of a new month means that the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Make Zinn proud by using those Zaishen Keys for a chance to find June's Automatonic! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
Recent Account Bans
Today more than 3,700 Guild Wars accounts were banned. Those terminated were positively identified as botters or players engaged in PvP match manipulation. We also disbanded whole guilds that were involved in these activities. We take this issue very seriously and have worked to improve our methods and tools for dealing with exploits like these. There are consequences if you engage in botting or match manipulation. Our Design Director, James Phinney, has provided more information about the bans and about our plans for continuing to pursue those involved in exploiting in his most recent blog post. Head over here to check it out.
Today more than 3,700 Guild Wars accounts were banned. Those terminated were positively identified as botters or players engaged in PvP match manipulation. We also disbanded whole guilds that were involved in these activities.
We take this issue very seriously and have worked to improve our methods and tools for dealing with exploits like these. There are consequences if you engage in botting or match manipulation.
Our Design Director, James Phinney, has provided more information about the bans and about our plans for continuing to pursue those involved in exploiting in his most recent blog post. Head over here to check it out.
May Game Balance Update!
In the forefront for this month's balance update: the Mesmer! We've made a variety of changes to improve this profession in high-end PvE, tackling issues like Interruption, Control Hexes, Energy Denial, and more. This update also features key changes to the Underworld and Fissure of Woe as well as a number of PvP balance changes. For an overview of the update, head here. For more detailed info about the skill changes, head on over to this month's developer's update.
In the forefront for this month's balance update: the Mesmer! We've made a variety of changes to improve this profession in high-end PvE, tackling issues like Interruption, Control Hexes, Energy Denial, and more. This update also features key changes to the Underworld and Fissure of Woe as well as a number of PvP balance changes.
For an overview of the update, head here. For more detailed info about the skill changes, head on over to this month's developer's update.
Community: Have a Ball and Party On!
Two fantastic player-run events are coming up, and you're invited! Find out more details in Community News!
April GvG Tournament Results
In April GvG tournament news, Chipotle Mexican Bar And Grill [Inc] claimed victory over Seppuku Paradigm [AA] to become our champion guild of the month. For a complete list of this month's GvG rankings, head over here. Since it's a new month, the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Use those Zaishen Keys for a chance to find May's sensational Phantasmal Tonic! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
In April GvG tournament news, Chipotle Mexican Bar And Grill [Inc] claimed victory over Seppuku Paradigm [AA] to become our champion guild of the month. For a complete list of this month's GvG rankings, head over here.
Since it's a new month, the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Use those Zaishen Keys for a chance to find May's sensational Phantasmal Tonic! To see the full tonic schedule, check out our Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
Community: Inspired Creations!
In this edition of Community News, our players once again show off their creativity and wit. Read on for details!
An Anniversary Message from James Phinney
To wrap up today's fifth year anniversary, ArenaNet's own Design Director, James Phinney, has a few words of appreciation to share with all of you. Head over to the new ArenaNet Blog to read what he has to say!
The Official ArenaNet Blog Launches
We're kicking off the brand-new ArenaNet Blog with the Guild Wars 2 Design Manifesto, a message to MMO players from ArenaNet Studio Head Mike O'Brien which outlines the bold new direction GW2 will take. That's just the beginning – we've got a lot of cool stuff planned! Check out the new blog here!
Help Us Celebrate Five Years of Guild Wars
Guild Wars is turning five! We're throwing a big party to thank you all for five fantastic year—we couldn't have made it this far without you. Come join the festivities starting at Noon PST on April 22nd. Head over here to learn more!
GameSpot Interview: Linsey Murdock on War in Kryta
Live Team Lead Designer Linsey Murdock recently chatted about the War in Kryta with GameSpot. Learn more about the war and the effect it will have on Guild Wars 2—read the interview here!
War in Kryta Costumes Now Available!
To commemorate the historic War in Kryta, we're offering two brand-new costumes! Show your support for the rebellion with a stealthy Shining Blade uniform or impersonate the enemy with an authoritarian White Mantle disguise. Pick up your War in Kryta costumes in the Guild Wars In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store and join the battle!
To commemorate the historic War in Kryta, we're offering two brand-new costumes! Show your support for the rebellion with a stealthy Shining Blade uniform or impersonate the enemy with an authoritarian White Mantle disguise.
Pick up your War in Kryta costumes in the Guild Wars In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store and join the battle!
Community: MantleCon, a Toga Party, and More!
Our incredible player community has some great events planned in the coming weeks—find out more in Community News!
New Live Update: War on the Horizon
Today we've added all-new content that sets the stage for major upcoming events in the beleaguered nation of Kryta. Desperate to keep their grip on power, the White Mantle have cracked down on their populace by bringing in ruthless Peacekeepers. Elsewhere, the asura Arcane Council places the golemancer Zinn on trial. Read the update notes for more details!
Welcome Stephane and Emily!
We're extremely excited to announce two new members to the Guild Wars Community Team—Stéphane Lo Presti and Emily Diehl! Stéphane will join ArenaNet as our French Community Manager, reforging a valuable link between the studio and our French-speaking fans. Many of you may already know ArenaNet veteran Emily Diehl for her work as producer on our websites and wiki. Now she's joining Community, where she'll help Martin, Regina, and Stéphane cook up lots of interesting plans for the upcoming year. Be sure to stop by Stéphane and Emily's wiki pages to say hello!
New Update: Creature Skills
Today's live update focuses on creature skill bars impacted by the February 25th update. Check out the update notes for full details!
ArenaNet Artists at Emerald City ComiCon!
Come meet three fantastic ArenaNet artists at Seattle's Emerald City ComiCon on March 13th and 14th! Katy Hargrove, Kristen Perry, and Matt Barrett will be hanging out all weekend in Artist's Alley. For more details about each of them (and what they'll have to offer at the show), head over here. If you're in town Saturday night and want to hang out with some ArenaNet devs, here's your chance! Check out our Facebook event page for more information.
Come meet three fantastic ArenaNet artists at Seattle's Emerald City ComiCon on March 13th and 14th! Katy Hargrove, Kristen Perry, and Matt Barrett will be hanging out all weekend in Artist's Alley. For more details about each of them (and what they'll have to offer at the show), head over here.
If you're in town Saturday night and want to hang out with some ArenaNet devs, here's your chance! Check out our Facebook event page for more information.
Community: A Weekend "Maragon"!
This weekend, the [KISS] Alliance will host an epic riddle-based marathon through Guild Wars! Find out more in Community News!
February Game Balance Update!
It's one of the biggest skill updates we've ever done! We've addressed a wide range of game balance issues such as Shadow Form, Hammer Mastery in PvE, the role of the Ritualist in PvE, and much more. For an overview of the update, head here. For more detailed info about the skill changes, head on over to this month's developer's update.
Ghosts of Ascalon: The First Guild Wars Novel
It's almost here! Ghosts of Ascalon, the first original Guild Wars novel, hits bookshelves this summer! An epic tale written by Matt Forbeck and Jeff Grubb, Ghosts of Ascalon helps to set the stage for the release of Guild Wars 2. Head over here to learn more!
The Most Influential Women in MMO Development
Massively interviewed twelve of the most influential women in MMO game development, including our very own Linsey Murdock and Katy Hargrove! Read the first of the fascinating multi-part interview here.
Jeff Grubb Gets Loreful with Ten Ton Hammer!
World-builder extraordinaire Jeff Grubb sat down with Ten Ton Hammer to discuss the lore of Guild Wars 2. Jeff talks about Elder Dragons, gods, dwarves, and more—read the interview here!
Canthan New Year Is Here!
Shing Jea Monastery has completed preparations for the annual Canthan New Year festival! Starting at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT), it's time to put on your party mask and join in all of the holiday festivities, games, and quests. For complete details, head over to our special event page.
Community: A Tiger Feast!
In this edition of Community News, you're invited to The Brotherhood of Shadows Alliance Tiger Feast! Plus, we've got a great new Guild Wars blog for you to check out. Read more in Community News!
Making it as an MMO Blogger
Massively.com has posted "Making it as an MMO Blogger", a fascinating interview with nine community managers - including our very own Regina Buenaobra - about what it takes to build a successful MMO blog. Check out the first of the two-part series right here!
Community: Gamers Giving Back to Haiti
In this week's Community News, we provide details about Gaming World Events, who will host an in-game event to help raise money for the Canadian Red Cross and their relief efforts in Haiti. Head over here to find out more about this event and other cool stuff happening in the community.
The Canthan New Year is Nearly Here!
The Year of the Tiger is upon us! We've posted an overview of all the fantastic stuff we have planned for the Canthan New Year's Festival, which begins on Friday, February 12th. For a detailed look at the festival, check out Massively's comprehensive guide right here!
Community: Fansite News
In this update, we've got some exciting news to share from several of our fan sites. Read more in Community News!
New Update: PvP Changes and GvG Updates
In today's live update, we've focused on resolving several pressing PvP skill balance issues, making refinements to the Codex Arena, and making GvG participation a little easier. Head on over to our newest Developer Update to learn more!
Wintersday Redux!
Wintersday comes twice this year! Due to Grentchy technical issues with the Festival Hat distribution during the Wintersday finale earlier this month, we're hosting a special encore festival, complete with all the Wintersday activities you love!Wintersday Redux begins at noon Pacific time (-8 GMT) on Friday, January 29th and runs until 11:59 PM Pacific time on Sunday, February 7th. During the big finale, everyone will get another chance to pick up a Wintersday Festival Hat. If you can't make it to the finale, look for special holiday collectors who will exchange Festival Hats for Candy Cane Shards! Check out our Wintersday page for more info.
Wintersday comes twice this year! Due to Grentchy technical issues with the Festival Hat distribution during the Wintersday finale earlier this month, we're hosting a special encore festival, complete with all the Wintersday activities you love!Wintersday Redux begins at noon Pacific time (-8 GMT) on Friday, January 29th and runs until 11:59 PM Pacific time on Sunday, February 7th. During the big finale, everyone will get another chance to pick up a Wintersday Festival Hat. If you can't make it to the finale, look for special holiday collectors who will exchange Festival Hats for Candy Cane Shards!
Check out our Wintersday page for more info.
Wintersday Art Contest Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Wintersday Art Contest and a warm thank you to everyone who entered! Find out who won right here!
Digital Arts Workshop with ArenaNet Artists
Witness the creation of a gallery's worth of art—in real time! FuturePoly's Digital Arts Workshop is a fascinating 5-hour live art demonstration featuring some of the gaming industry's top talent. In this interactive workshop, ArenaNet artists Daniel Dociu, Kekai Kotaki, Matthew Barrett, and more will discuss their technique and create beautiful pieces of digital art, from sketch to completion. A portion of every ticket sale goes to the amazing charity Child's Play. The Digital Arts Workshop takes place on Saturday, January 23rd at Bellevue College's Paccar Auditorium in Bellevue, WA. To register or learn more, visit the FuturePoly website.
Witness the creation of a gallery's worth of art—in real time! FuturePoly's Digital Arts Workshop is a fascinating 5-hour live art demonstration featuring some of the gaming industry's top talent. In this interactive workshop, ArenaNet artists Daniel Dociu, Kekai Kotaki, Matthew Barrett, and more will discuss their technique and create beautiful pieces of digital art, from sketch to completion. A portion of every ticket sale goes to the amazing charity Child's Play.
The Digital Arts Workshop takes place on Saturday, January 23rd at Bellevue College's Paccar Auditorium in Bellevue, WA. To register or learn more, visit the FuturePoly website.
New Holiday Papercraft: Avatar of Dwayna!
We saved the best for last—this impressive papercraft model of the Avatar of Dwayna is ready to grace your tree or desk with her serene presence. It's the biggest model we've ever done! Click here to get started.
Community: Player-Run Wintersday Events!
Our fantastic player community has a bunch of great events in store for the Wintersday season! Read the latest Community News for details!
New Costumes and Wintersday Cheer!
The preparations for our annual Wintersday celebration begin today! Starting tomorrow and running until January 4th, Wintersday festivities will sweep across Tyria like a chill wind from the Shiverpeaks. Here's what revelers can expect this year: Brand-new for 2009—a unique set of Wintersday costumes are now available in the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store! Head over to our new costumes page to read all of the details. You've spoken, and we've listened! Costume slots have been added to the character portrait. Now, you can wear costumes over your armor, meaning you can look fabulous in your Dwayna costume or festival hat without sacrificing protection! Learn the details here. Starting tomorrow, our annual Wintersday festival will bring loads of seasonal treats, festive decorations, holiday quests, snowball tournaments, and more! Check out our Wintersday 2009 page for more information.
The preparations for our annual Wintersday celebration begin today! Starting tomorrow and running until January 4th, Wintersday festivities will sweep across Tyria like a chill wind from the Shiverpeaks. Here's what revelers can expect this year:
Wintersday Gifts for Friends and Followers
Do you follow us on Facebook or Twitter? If not, you should! Over the next few days, we'll be spreading extra Wintersday cheer with early presents for some of our lucky friends and followers. Simply friend us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter (if you don't already, of course), and then watch our updates on these sites for further details. Good luck and happy Wintersday from all of us!
Go Behind the Scenes with the Voices of Tyria
We've posted a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the voice acting behind Guild Wars 2, featuring top-tier talents like Felicia Day and Steve Blum! Check it out on our Facebook page or YouTube channel.
Wintersday Approaches!
Wintersday is almost here! Soon, cities and towns all across Tyria will be decked out in splendid holiday decor, enchanted snowman henchmen will serve your adventuring needs, and vendors will be selling all manner of Wintersday consumables. The festivities begin on December 18th and run until January 4th, so be sure to clear your calendars! Head over to our Wintersday 2009 event page for all of the details.
Wintersday is almost here! Soon, cities and towns all across Tyria will be decked out in splendid holiday decor, enchanted snowman henchmen will serve your adventuring needs, and vendors will be selling all manner of Wintersday consumables.
The festivities begin on December 18th and run until January 4th, so be sure to clear your calendars! Head over to our Wintersday 2009 event page for all of the details.
New Holiday Papercraft: Rollerbeetles!
Check out this week's holiday papercraft: rollerbeetles! These speedy little bugs are waiting to be printed out and assembled. Make a whole pack of them! Click right here and we'll show you how.
New Guild Wars 2 Interview at MMORPG.com
Following the release of the new Guild Wars 2 video, we sat down with MMORPG.com to discuss the races of Tyria, GW2's massive game world, and more! Read the whole thing right here.
New Holiday Papercraft: Moa Bird!
This week's holiday papercraft model is the ubiquitous, flightless moa bird! Normally these birds are the size of ponies and fond of pecking, but these paper moas are small and harmless! Make yours today—we'll show you how right here!
New Guild Wars 2 Video: The Races of Tyria
Experience the Races of Tyria, an incredible new video that looks at the five playable races of Guild Wars 2—asura, norn, humans, charr, and sylvari. Learn more about each compelling race and watch the video here!
Community: Calendar Time!
In this edition of Community News, we've got a new fan-made video for you to check out, and the glorious return of the Guild Wars Advent Calendar from Wartower.de! For details, click through to Community News.
Guild Wars Holiday Papercrafts
Just in time for the holidays—a collection of charming papercraft Guild Wars models! We've got paper moa birds, rollerbeetles, a tiny Gwen doll, and a brand-new surprise model that you'll just have to see! They'd all make great tree ornaments. Print out and make your own paper models—we'll show you how! Click here to get started!
Just in time for the holidays—a collection of charming papercraft Guild Wars models! We've got paper moa birds, rollerbeetles, a tiny Gwen doll, and a brand-new surprise model that you'll just have to see! They'd all make great tree ornaments.
Print out and make your own paper models—we'll show you how! Click here to get started!
Wintersday Art Contest Begins!
Spread some holiday spirit and share your creativity with the Guild Wars community! Enter our annual Wintersday Art Contest, which starts today! Head over to this year's contest page for more details.
Eye of the North: Free with any Campaign!
The holidays are fast approaching, so we'll help you celebrate a little early! Starting today, when you buy any Guild Wars campaign from the In-Game Store or the NCsoft store, you'll receive Eye of the North for FREE! This special holiday offer ends January 5, 2010—get yours today!
Buy The Art of Guild Wars 2, Get a Free Art Print!
Until January 4th, whenever you buy The Art of Guild Wars 2 from the Penny Arcade store, you'll receive a free limited edition Guild Wars art print. Choose from three awesome pieces of signed concept art from award-winning ArenaNet artists. Hurry over to the Penny Arcade store today!
New Update: Dhuum Awakens!
Something stirs in the Underworld. Something ancient, powerful, and utterly evil: Dhuum. Banished eons ago by Grenth, this dark avatar of death has bided his time and grown in power. Now, Dhuum is free! We've added this terrifying new end boss to the Underworld—face him if you dare. To find out what other updates we've made today, be sure to check out the rest of the update notes.
Something stirs in the Underworld. Something ancient, powerful, and utterly evil: Dhuum. Banished eons ago by Grenth, this dark avatar of death has bided his time and grown in power. Now, Dhuum is free! We've added this terrifying new end boss to the Underworld—face him if you dare.
To find out what other updates we've made today, be sure to check out the rest of the update notes.
Community: Autumn Soiree!
The Order of the Phoenix Alliance invites you to attend their autumn celebration, the Soiree at the Sanctum on November 14th in the Imperial Sanctum! To learn more about this special event, check out this week's Community News.
MMO Calendar 2010 is Now Available!
The fourth annual MMO Calendar is now available, featuring original artwork from the hottest current and upcoming MMOs—including an awesome piece of Guild Wars 2 artwork from our very own Kekai Kotaki! 100% of the proceeds go directly to the good people at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. You get a fantastic calendar and get to support a great cause at the same time—it's a win/win! Plus, everyone who purchases a calendar will be entered in a drawing to win cool MMO prizes, including a boxed copy of the Guild Wars Trilogy. Head over to http://www.mmocalendar.com and order yours today!
The fourth annual MMO Calendar is now available, featuring original artwork from the hottest current and upcoming MMOs—including an awesome piece of Guild Wars 2 artwork from our very own Kekai Kotaki! 100% of the proceeds go directly to the good people at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. You get a fantastic calendar and get to support a great cause at the same time—it's a win/win!
Plus, everyone who purchases a calendar will be entered in a drawing to win cool MMO prizes, including a boxed copy of the Guild Wars Trilogy. Head over to http://www.mmocalendar.com and order yours today!
Web Developer Job Opening
Are you an outstanding web developer with a passion for MMOGs? Why not join our team? Qualified candidates will be passionate, creative team players who produce high quality JavaScript code and love agile development. ASP.NET and ASP.NET MVC experience is a huge plus. Check out our job listing for more details!
Community: Listen, Look, Create!
This edition of Community News spotlights some awesome player events: the monthly Ascension Show on Sanitarium.fm, a Halloween update to Healbot Blues, and a video contest by InfestedHydralisk! See our Community News for more!
Community: Halloween Events and More!
Halloween is nearly here, and we have some frightfully fantastic player-organized events coming up. But that's not all! For you bloggers out there, one of our fan sites has created a Guild Wars theme for WordPress. Plus: Guild Wars fan fiction for the iPhone! Come check it out!
New Live Update
Today's update is now live! Here's a sample of what you'll find in the new build: We've got tricks and treats galore and new quests to explore during the 2009 Halloween Event, which starts tomorrow! Head over to our event page for more details. A new PvP format is now available! Learn more about the brand-new Codex Arena here! To read all of the details, be sure to check out the rest of the update notes.
Today's update is now live! Here's a sample of what you'll find in the new build:
To read all of the details, be sure to check out the rest of the update notes.
Halloween Approaches!
Halloween is coming, so prepare for ten days of mayhem, mirth, and the Mad King! Festivities kick off on Friday, October 23rd at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT). Keep your eyes open for spooky special event collectors and monsters dropping trick-or-treat bags. Crash our annual PvP Costume Brawl! Venture into the Underworld on a series of all-new quests—if you dare! And, on Halloween, October 31st, Mad King Thorn will make a series of appearances! Head over to our Halloween 2009 event page for all of the gory details!
Halloween is coming, so prepare for ten days of mayhem, mirth, and the Mad King! Festivities kick off on Friday, October 23rd at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT). Keep your eyes open for spooky special event collectors and monsters dropping trick-or-treat bags. Crash our annual PvP Costume Brawl! Venture into the Underworld on a series of all-new quests—if you dare! And, on Halloween, October 31st, Mad King Thorn will make a series of appearances!
Head over to our Halloween 2009 event page for all of the gory details!
Fall Storage Sale: 25% off Xunlai Storage Panes!
There's never been a better time to expand your storage! Xunlai Storage Panes are 25% off from October 7th through November 1st. Visit the Guild Wars In-Game Store or the NCsoft Store to take advantage of this limited time offer!
There's never been a better time to expand your storage! Xunlai Storage Panes are 25% off from October 7th through November 1st.
September Tournament News
In September, Inadequately Equipped [GeAr] claimed victory over I Disposable Heroes I [DirT] to become the champion guild of the month. On the 1v1 front, Cleanup Time defeated Julie Loves Cindy to become our September 1v1 champion. For a complete list of the monthly rankings, check out the full GvG and 1v1 results. Since it's a new month, the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Use those Zaishen Keys for a chance to find October's sensational Skeletonic! To see the full tonic schedule, check out the Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
In September, Inadequately Equipped [GeAr] claimed victory over I Disposable Heroes I [DirT] to become the champion guild of the month. On the 1v1 front, Cleanup Time defeated Julie Loves Cindy to become our September 1v1 champion. For a complete list of the monthly rankings, check out the full GvG and 1v1 results.
Since it's a new month, the Zaishen Chest will offer a new tonic. Use those Zaishen Keys for a chance to find October's sensational Skeletonic! To see the full tonic schedule, check out the Zaishen Rewards Calendar.
Community: E-Zines and Horrorween!
The player community is celebrating October with a lot of creativity, starting with two great publications from Photics and ending with a massive Halloween event: The King and Queen's Horrorween! Read on for community news!
Henchman Skill Bar Contest Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the Henchman Skill Bar Contest! Who won? Find out right here.
Halloween Art Contest
Help us celebrate the season by entering your Guild Wars themed Halloween art in our fifth annual contest. Design a costume, bake a cake, carve a pumpkin—go nuts! Check out the details here.
Chinese Community Localization
We'd like to announce an exciting opportunity for Guild Wars players who speak Traditional Chinese! We've created a way for you to submit localized content for skill names and descriptions. If you would like to help, check out this page on the Official Guild Wars Wiki. Please note that we are currently focusing on Traditional Chinese skill names and descriptions only.
Skill Bar Contest Winners Revealed October 1
We received a huge number of entries to the Henchman Skill Bar Contest—more than 30,000! We're still reviewing all of the submissions, so we've moved the announcement of the contest winners to October 1st. We're sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience!
The Art of Guild Wars 2 - NOW AVAILABLE!
This incredible hardbound collection of Guild Wars 2 concept art is now available for sale! Head over here to pick up your copy today.
Community: Discussions and Awesome Tunes!
Interested in Guild Wars discussion? Love music? Tune in to the Ascension Show this month on Sanitarium.fm! For more details, check out Community News!
Kill Ten Rats Interview Posted
Guild Wars Live Team Lead Designer Linsey Murdock and Guild Wars 2 Game Designer Isaiah "Izzy" Cartwright recently sat down with the folks from Kill Ten Rats to discuss Guild Wars combat and the metrics used for skill balance. Head over to see what they have to say!
PAX Videos Are Now Online!
Couldn't make it to PAX this year? To make sure you didn't miss anything, we've posted videos of our panel interviews from the Penny Arcade Expo on our YouTube channel. Head over to watch discussions about the art of Guild Wars 2, a panel interview with the Guild Wars Live Team, and a lore-filled talk about the upcoming Fall of Ascalon novel!
New Update Now Live!
Check out our latest game update and read what the developers have to say about it here.
Aion Wings FAQ Updated!
Due to popular demand, we've made some changes to the Aion wings emote promo. Players who purchase Aion digitally will now be able to get the wings emote for their Guild Wars accounts. Pop over to our revised Aion wings FAQ for more info!
PAX Updates All Weekend!
PAX is upon us! We'll be posting updates all weekend from the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle. To stay up-to-date on the latest breaking news: Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook If you're heading to the show, be sure to swing by booth #842 in the Exhibit Hall and say hi!
PAX is upon us! We'll be posting updates all weekend from the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle. To stay up-to-date on the latest breaking news:
If you're heading to the show, be sure to swing by booth #842 in the Exhibit Hall and say hi!
Test Krewe Applications Closing September 8th
As a reminder for those interested in becoming a member of the Guild Wars Live Test Krewe, the deadline for submitting applications is this upcoming Tuesday, September 8th. If you haven't submitted your Test Krewe application, be sure to do so before then. Thanks to everyone who has applied! Going through all the applications will take some time, but we'll announce the Test Krewe members as soon as we can. Stay tuned!
As a reminder for those interested in becoming a member of the Guild Wars Live Test Krewe, the deadline for submitting applications is this upcoming Tuesday, September 8th. If you haven't submitted your Test Krewe application, be sure to do so before then.
Thanks to everyone who has applied! Going through all the applications will take some time, but we'll announce the Test Krewe members as soon as we can. Stay tuned!
Guild Wars 2 Art in ImagineFX!
Check out the August issue of ImagineFX, which features two beautiful pieces of Guild Wars 2 concept art by our very own Art Director Daniel Dociu. Look for this special issue on shelves now!