The FAQ

When is Guild Wars 2 going to be released?
When it's finished. Guild Wars 2 is the largest project ArenaNet® has ever undertaken, and we want to make sure we take the time to do it right.

When will there be a beta?
We began closed beta in December of 2011. The feedback from these tests will determine when we will do public beta tests and ship the game. Guild Wars 2 is a very large and ambitious game, and Guild Wars players rightfully have very high expectations. We want players to be absolutely blown away by the game the first time they experience it.

What platforms will Guild Wars 2 be available on?
Guild Wars 2 is being developed for the PC.

Will there be a subscription fee for Guild Wars 2?
Nope. Like the original Guild Wars, there will be no subscription fee for Guild Wars 2. You just buy the game and play it online without paying a monthly fee.

Will Guild Wars 2 be an MMO?
Yes. Guild Wars 2 provides a massive, online persistent world.

How is Guild Wars 2 different from other MMOs?
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!

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 - The norn are towering brawlers from the frigid northern lands who can shape-shift into mighty bestial forms. Driven from their homeland by a force beyond reckoning, the norn have regrouped among the dwarven ruins of the Shiverpeaks.
Asura - The asura, who once ruled the caverns and tunnels below Tyria, are an advanced race of small size and great intellect. 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 play-styles 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.

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.

What are the system requirements for Guild Wars 2?
The system requirements haven't been finalized, but just as with the original Guild Wars series, we're committed to creating a beautiful game that will play great on mid-range gaming PCs.

It looks like the charr have guns in the Guild Wars 2 trailer. Will there be firearms in Guild Wars 2?
Since Guild Wars 2 takes place 250 years in the future from Guild Wars, we wanted to introduce new technology to Tyria. From the mystical tech of the asura to the industrial war machines of the charr, Guild Wars 2 unmistakably takes place in a different era than the original game, and the weaponry and machinery reflect that. Firearms will definitely be part of the equation — but with a unique twist.

The aquatic scenes in the preview video look really cool. 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.

Beta FAQ

How do I sign up for a Guild Wars 2 Beta Event?
Go to http://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 email 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 email 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 Wars 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.