4 Years of Guild Wars

State of the Game

It has been 4 years since Guild Wars first launched in April 28, 2005. Back then, I was still in the army serving time when I came across an advertisement and preview article in PC Gamer of Guild Wars. MMORPGs back then weren't as rampant as they are today, and for the most part, World of Warcraft had everyone talking. “Everyone” who was ready to pay to play that is.

ArenaNet caught the world by surprise with their ultimate counter-offer to Blizzard's business model - the complete opposite of what everyone else had geared their online realms to - by offering compelling multiplayer gameplay with absolutely no monthly subscription fees – paving the way for a whole new business model MMO industry, and culling themselves a passionate fan-base that will follow the title to its up and coming sequel.

Guild War's lack of level grinding, fully customizable skill bar (in the likes of a Magic the Gathering card deck) and adjustable character attribute points was revolutionary, while it's graphics engine and production art was nothing short of gorgeous and mind-blowingly beautiful. And with the irresistible offer of a subscription-free model, Guild Wars became an instant hit and a worthy contestant in the online gaming arena.

However, even the best of RPG games strain to live beyond a 2 year shelf-life, requiring expansion packs and add-ons to push their longevity and replayability. It doesn't come as a surprise that Guild Wars would ultimately succumb to the same effects of age – having cleared all 3 campaigns (Prophecies, Factions and Nightfall – arguably the best and most complete in the series) and its relatively short Eye of The North expansion pack, Guild Wars struggles to retain its shine and appeal.

Interestingly however, Guild War's robust graphics engine and astounding artistry manages to remain relevant even today and still surpasses most other average MMORPGs that are released today (including numerous over-hyped releases) – for a product that's already aging beyond 4 years - a sheer testament of ArenaNet's game designing veterancy and shrewd skills.

Upgrades & Surprises

With last month's 2009 major game update, the Guild Wars Live Update Team cleverly adds new features and quests that extend the playability of their product beyond its end-game phase. The newly added Zaishen Menagerie has perhaps been the most useful and convenient feature for players to date since the introduction of its quick-save and loading skill-templates. The Menagerie a sprinkle of Pokémon taming and training where you can capture new creatures and store them in a “farm”. With the Menagerie, your tamed pets can “breed” and their maximum level states can be unlocked with PvP faction – saving players the burn of grinding monsters just to achieve a level 20 pet (and not necessarily in the desired states.)

The new Zaishen Challenge Quests (attainable from the Great Temple of Balthazhar) are an economic and efficient move on ArenaNet's part (kudos to Linsey Murdock & John Stumme from the Guild Wars Live Team) that provide fresh daily activities and at the same time add replay value that's not strictly PvP oriented. Nicholas The Traveler and his companion Professor Yakkington have also been a cute and attractive addition - a side activity spurring players to be on the lookout each week for the NPCs' new locations, and to gather together to trade and work for the required materials which The Traveler will accept for special gifts and rare and adorable miniature pets in return. Noticeably with the addition of The Traveler NPC, the Guild Wars community and forums have also been revitalized with findings and posts relating to The Traveler's weekly whereabouts.

Guild Wars has been largely successful due to its strong community-ties with the development team – most of the updates have been popular requests by players, the prime example being increased storage space, which has finally happened with a free new 4th year storage pane and add-on panes that can be purchased through their online stores. It's always inspiring to see such a close relationship between consumer and developer - and that it is still possible for a large corporate entity to listen and respond to its loyal customers' needs.

It's hard to keep a free-to-play business model going, especially when your flagship products are on hold and have limited means of revenue. While players have reacted both eagerly for and violently against Guild Wars expanding its micro-transactions, one has to understand that after all, it is really one of the better subscription-free MMORPGs out there, and in order to sustain the servers and staff running the product, it's only natural for ArenaNet to ask for a little support. And unlike subscription-based models, you're not exactly forced into making these micro-transactions. The game has been thoughtfully designed enough such that players can do with or without these little upgrades, and by consenting to make any purchases, you are merely showing your support. It would have been detrimental had it been required of players to pay for monthly updates, but as ArenaNet has consistently assured and proven – that isn't the case.

Whatever the Future Holds

It's time to open up those 4th year birthday presents for your characters, show some support, purchase any upgrades of your liking and here's all hoping that we'll hear fresh, juicy, positive news of Guild Wars 2 by the end of 2009. In our next ARF guild article – Confessions of a Guild Leader - a mesmerizing review of a long, 4-year journey, revelations, disappointments and secrets no one knew (or would ever care for that matter!)

Officer Spotlight with Feral Lightningpaws

It's been a long while since our last Officer Spotlight, and with the April 2009 massive updates, we'll be featuring the last guild officer (but not least) in our 4-part mini series of interviews! Returning from his extended cartographer trip, having charted the lands of Tyria, Cantha, Elona and the North, and drunk to a stupor from one too many flasks of Firewater - Feral Lightningpaws!

Hi Feral, you've found your role as the guild's very own navigation officer and professional cartographer. How is that you manage to find your way around the lands with such ease?
Well, whenever I discover a new, unchartered region, I'll etch a map of it into the underside of my helmet with my sword. My current helmet has the entire map of Tyria in it. I only have to look up, and I'll know where I am!

What happens when you run out of storage space?
That's what the other armor parts are for! I've got Cantha all over the underside of my chest plate, and Elona on the back. There's also dungeon maps on my gro-

Have you ever considered using scrolls instead?
Nah, I'm allergic to paper. Not to mention when the scrolls soak up my perspiration, the ink smudges all over and I have to chart everything all over!

So why a warrior? Shouldn't you have been a ranger instead?
I've considered that option before, but I can't etch very well on ranger armors with my sword. They usually tear apart too easily. Warrior armors provide better writing surfaces, not to mention that they look so much better!

You have a tiger named Chesire. Any interesting pet tricks?
Well I hate to let the cat out of the bag – but Chesire likes hiding in my traveling backpack for some reason. He takes keen pleasure in lunging at pickpockets, that seems to have become his staple diet now. He's kinda picky when it comes to meals, you know cats. I'm trying to introduce him to tax-collectors, though.

What's your weapon of choice and why?
The Vera - the best war hammer you'll ever get. Nothing smashes skulls swifter and messier - with that crisp, crunching satisfaction that it gives. Always a Vera.


Whack first; ask questions later or heroic battle-cry; then frenzy for the win?
I'd prefer a keg of good ol' aged dwarven ale to spruce things up a little, you know what I mean? A little bit of drunk adventuring never hurt no one, cept for your hapless enemies of course. When they see a rampaging drunkard warrior racing towards them screaming incorrigibily.

About your last name, does that apply to your swordsmanship or something else?
Yeah especially when it comes to etching out maps on my armor. You gotta be quick in enemy territory if you don't wanna get caught with your pants down, you know what I'm saying?

If you could invent your very own elite skill, what would it be and how would it work?
“In Your Face!” Elite Shout.
You shout “ IN YOUR FACE!”, for 30 seconds, the next 5 attacks while wielding a hammer, you deal an additional +100 dmg, and have 100% armor pentration. If your attacks hit, your opponent gets knocked down on the first strike, suffers bleeding from the second, deep-wound on the third, blindness with the fourth blow and dazed from the finishing strike. All conditions applied last for 15 seconds (including knock-down.)

You've put your helmet on the wrong way and gotten your entire party lost in the Crystal Desert. Everyone's in despair. What do you do?
When no one's looking I adjust my helmet and hope that everyone has enough supplies before Chesire eats everyone up.

That's all folks and thanks for journeying with us!

2009 Makeover Pack

It's been 4 years, and you've stared at your same old alter ego for ages. It's time for a revolution! It's time for change! YES WE CAN!


Over the course of 4 years searching for Gwen and her whereabouts, Snares Shadowbane found little time for a proper haircut. His hair grew long enough for a pony tail, which he neatly tied in a Canthan style during a trip to Kaineng Center. His hair was a lot longer though - before it was cleanly sliced off in a narrow escape from the jade Brotherhood barber he'd forgot to tip.


Hayate Rouki found himself lost on Tyrian lands after a terrible shipwreck that sunk his Canthan merchant boat. Since then, travelling across the Crystal Desert and having survived the events of Nightfall, Hayate returns home to the Isle of Meditation. His face carrying the wisdom and experience of his long adventures all over the world.


You too can enrich or recreate your favorite Guild Wars characters' story thanks to the new Makeover Packs available through the In-Game Store or NCSoft Site!