Everything we know about Guild Wars 3 and how it plans to 'push the MMORPG genre forward'

Everything We Know About Guild Wars 3 and How It Plans to "Push the MMORPG Genre Forward"

ArenaNet's announcement that it's developing Guild Wars 3 has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Unlike many live-service MMORPGs that aim to be evergreen platforms, ArenaNet is taking a different approach by introducing a new entry in the series. This time, the studio is ensuring that Guild Wars 2 will continue to receive support beyond the launch of its successor. With the first beta planned for fall 2027, let’s dive into everything we currently know about Guild Wars 3 and how it aims to push the MMORPG genre forward.

Release Date and Timeline

The first Guild Wars 3 beta is scheduled for fall 2027, but there’s no official release window yet. For context, the first closed beta tests for Guild Wars 2 began less than a year before its launch. ArenaNet has mentioned that it will be making improvements to Guild Wars 2 over the next 18 months, which could put a release date as early as December 2027—just a few months after the initial beta tests. This timeline suggests that ArenaNet is moving quickly and is not planning to delay the launch of Guild Wars 3.

Platforms and Accessibility

For the first time in the series, Guild Wars 3 will be available on both PC and PlayStation 5. This means that the game will be optimized for both keyboard and mouse as well as gamepad controls. ArenaNet is focusing on creating an action-RPG combat system that works seamlessly across these platforms. This is a big deal for fans who enjoy using a gamepad on PC and opens the door for a broader audience.

No Subscription, No Battlepasses

One of the most notable aspects of Guild Wars 3 is that it will not include a subscription model or battlepasses. ArenaNet has confirmed that the game will follow the buy-to-play model that has defined the series since its inception. According to Colin Johanson, the studio head, the decision to skip battlepasses was made because the team believes players are "sick of those too."

Gameplay and Movement System

The Guild Wars 3 reveal trailer highlights the joy of movement that the game is aiming to deliver. Players will be able to wall-run, ride mounts, and glide seamlessly across the game world. This is a key part of the game's one-of-a-kind movement system, which allows players to transfer momentum between different modes of travel.

ArenaNet has emphasized that this system will allow players to harness their speed and turn it into greater damage and impact during combat. This is a significant step forward from Guild Wars 2, which already features interesting movement mechanics with mounts, dodging, and flying. In Guild Wars 3, mounts will be integrated into combat in a more dynamic way.

The game's website also mentions that Guild Wars 3 will use strategic skill use, positioning, and movement—blending action RPG combat with the build-making system that has become a hallmark of the series. This suggests a move away from the hotbar mashing style of combat that many players have grown tired of in MMORPGs.

Playable Races and Classes

While ArenaNet has not confirmed the exact details of playable races or classes, the initial concept art suggests that players will be able to choose from thousand-year-old versions of familiar races. These include:

• Humans: The go-to option in every RPG, and they will still be playable in Guild Wars 3.
• Asura: The small but intelligent race first introduced in Guild Wars 2.
• Kodan: The massive bear-like race, previously unplayable in the series.

This lineup hints at a rich and diverse set of characters that will bring a new flavor to the Guild Wars universe.

What's Happening to Guild Wars 2?

After the announcement of Guild Wars 3, ArenaNet released a video outlining the future of Guild Wars 2. The studio confirmed that Guild Wars 2 will continue to receive quality-of-life updates before the launch of Guild Wars 3. During this period, the development of expansions will be paused.

Once Guild Wars 3 launches, Guild Wars 2 will return to its regular schedule of annual major content updates. Some of the upcoming changes include:

• A Hall of Monuments system, similar to the one in the original Guild Wars, for logging and displaying account achievements.
• Modernization and polishing of older content to bring it up to current design standards.
• A new World versus World map for the first time in years.
• A new explorable zone set in Orr, which will bridge the gap between the Tyria players know and the Tyria they will discover in Guild Wars 3.

This approach ensures that both Guild Wars 2 and Guild Wars 3 will have a bright future, with each game serving its own unique purpose in the Guild Wars universe.