Guild Wars 2 Beta Next Year, Launch 2011

Details regarding Guild Wars 2's release schedule have been revealed during talks with NCsoft investors.

A beta or "public event" is likely next year, and NCsoft currently hopes to release the game sometime in 2011.

[Dorjan]

Meh, it can come and pass.

[Redrudy]

Doesn't excite me much either, not anymore.

[Bonsai1214]

well, they have had like 3 years development time, and if they live up to what they said the game will be, i'll be happy with it. especially since its pay model is the same. though i'm still waiting on the books. i love the lore for the series.

[Maticus]

Well at least there's a date on it now, however far off it may be ^ ^

[Malfurion]

Hmm, with Aion around, how much hope does GW2 have?

[Chris399]

Unless they fix the bots and the spammers fast, even those enamored with the game (like me) will lose interest. The greater issue, is that these bots are controlling the economy of a game that is VERY money driven. Everything, even death, in this game costs kinah, and that sort of power should not be in the hands of the gold farmers.

That and the grindiness of the whole affair. I don't mind it, as I've always been a "grinder", but I can see how it will turn of the WOW/ casual crowd, which, let's face it, are the real $ behind MMORPGs. A game cannot be sustained on the hardcore alone, and if you alienate the casuals, you can't hope to compete with WOW's success in the slightest.

Other than these two issues, the game - PVP, customization, PVE (when you're not fighting bots for mobs lol) - is brilliant.

I'm hopeful that they can fix these issues. This isn't a QQ I'm cancelling my sub post :P

[Leord]

I think this will be very interesting, regardless!

[Chaos Striker]

Not cool NCSoft. I have waited very long for a beta and have been consistently playing Guild Wars patiently these past few years. Guild Wars 2 better blow me away :P (I'm sure it will, since I have faith in ArenaNet). Oh well, a few more trips through Domain of Anguish, The Deep, Urgoz Warren, and some of the elite dungeons will have to satisfy me until 2010...sometime....

[tdrules]

question for current Guild Wars players, how does it stack up to the WoW and Aions of this world?

[Chaos Striker]

From my viewpoint its a different experience. Grinding isn't the focus for Guild Wars (the level cap is 20). So, PvE is more driven through the skill of each player rather than what level you are. Additionally, since the inception of Heroes, nearly everything (to a certain existent everything) can be done on your own if you don't trust PUGs. Being able to micromanage the hero's skills is definitely a plus, although some people believe that Heroes destroyed a lot of the fun of PUGs. Moreover, there is a lot of things to do spread cross the 3 campaigns. The dungeons and elite missions are especially fun if you have 2 or 3 other people to go with you.

PvP is also a major part. I'd say Guild Wars is 60% PvP, 40% PvE (But they make sure that PvE is very well done). PvP is definitely extensive, although some parts such as Hero's Ascent require you to possess very good skills to participate (they distinguish by your PvP rank in there, which is stupid at times).

But, all in all it is a very balanced game. After playing it for around 4 years, it can get somewhat boring because there isn't much new content. But, it's something that people can definitely leave for a month or two and come back playing (pay for it once at the store and minor microtransactions for extra storage and such.)

Hope that helps.

[tdrules]

yes it does thankyou

[Satanael]

I largely agree with Chaos Striker. Though I would point out that I am exclusively a PvE player and quite casual (though I have been playing the game since it came out). I don't play PvP at all, and I still really enjoy the game, and its graphics still compete with even the newer games out there, which I think is pretty impressive for a 4 1/2 year old game.

IMO the real selling point for GW is the value. If you at all care about bang for your buck, you can't find a better deal than GW. GW definitely competes with the likes of WoW and Aion as far as fun and experience, but at a fraction of the longterm cost of playing. I can't imagine having paid 15 bucks a month for the last 4 and a half years, that's like $800. No game is worth that much. It would be difficult to spend that much on GW (you'd have to buy multiple accounts), and completely unnecessary.

The only real criticism that I have heard from people that I can definitely agree with is the lack of a viable z-axis in GW. This goes beyond not being able to jump or fly, it means that there are still some issues with invisible walls and having to walk around 3-inch high obstacles. It can be a little annoying, but click-to-move definitely helps aleviate that annoyance some.

[i3eyond the Circle]

Screw that.

I'll be interested when the FF14 Online beta codes drop.

[arsenal55]

GAHHHHHHH i dont want to wait till 2011..

[Sigh]

and not say anything... 2011?!!! Waiting too damn long...

[Satanael]

This article is too definitive about the beta. I listened to the audio file, and the guy is talking about both Guild Wars 2 and Blade and Soul at the same time. He's pretty clear that NCSoft "will not have a major release next year", and he does say something about a closed beta or "public event" in 2010, but that could refer to either game, or both. The article should reflect that he didn't outright say "Guild Wars 2 beta in 2010".