After 14 years, Guild Wars 3 is finally coming as "a modern evolution of the MMO" – and its beta opens in 2027
Guild Wars 2 fans, the rumors were true
It's the most wonderful time of the year for gamers as Summer Game Fest rolls around, with plenty of big reveals and sneak peeks at upcoming titles – including the long-awaited Guild Wars threequel... Guild Wars 3.
Yes, the rumors were true – Guild Wars 3 is actually happening, and it looks incredible. ArenaNet unveiled its new MMO during tonight's Summer Game Fest showcase, surprising fans of the iconic 2012 gem that's dominated the genre alongside other greats like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 since.
It's been a long 14 years, after all, and the community has grown restless.
Thankfully, fans won't have to wait long to dive into Guild Wars 3. ArenaNet has further surprised us with a beta announcement – one that's set to open in the fall of 2027. You can already sign up if you're interested, in fact, over on the game's official website.
Guild Wars 3 sounds like it'll be quite the entry to ArenaNet's MMO lineup, too – the devs say their goal with it "is to push MMORPGs forward, to create an online game world that feels believable, rewarding, responsive, and innovative while at the same time respecting players' time and providing a positive, supportive space to build community and enjoy new stories in our universe."
As for the story, the game is set over a thousand years before the OG Guild Wars, making it a prequel of sorts. Set in the Tyrian region of Orr, there are – unsurprisingly – various guilds fighting over the verdant landscape's resources.
ArenaNet teases "deep character customization" and "skill-building gameplay," too, which I'm personally very excited to hear. I want to look good while dealing damage – who doesn't?
More information will come later this year and in 2027 before Guild Wars 3 enters its beta period – but for now, I'm content just knowing it's actually real.
Searching for something else to wishlist? Here are the best new games coming this year and beyond to look forward to.
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After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.
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