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Guild Wars 2

Game 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.

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.

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.

How do I upgrade my Pre-Order to Pre-Purchase?

If you are a Pre-Order customer, you can pre-purchase Guild Wars 2 from buy.guildwars2.com or from approved retailers. If you are a Pre-Order customer who has already registered your Guild Wars 2 account, you can upgrade your account at register.guildwars2.com. To link your Pre-Purchase serial code to your existing account, just enter your new serial code in the field, click "Yes" under "Do you have a Guild Wars account?" and follow the steps from there. For a list of approved retailers, go here.

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.

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