Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Celebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/celebrating-guild-wars-8th-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/celebrating-guild-wars-8th-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/celebrating-guild-wars-8th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Guild Wars
Today is Guild Wars' eighth anniversary. Depending on which tradition you follow, I should be getting the game either bronze, salt, linens, or lace as a gift. Since I don't happen to have any of those handy, I'd like to reflect upon the rich life that Guild Wars has led so far. The game didn't start out with all of the neato features that it has now, so I'd like to look a bit at its evolution over time. I can't hit every update ever, but I thought we'd take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the key moments in the game's life.

Continue reading Celebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary

MassivelyCelebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanniversaryarenanetbuy-to-playembark-beacheye-of-the-northfactionsfantasyfeaturedgame-mechanicsguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-factionsguild-wars-nightfallguild-wars-propheciesgwgw1gw2hard-modehistoryncsoftnightfallopinionpatchpatchespropheciessorrows-furnaceupdateupdateszaishenzaishen-challengeSun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles Extra: A brief history of Guild Wars 2's Tyria, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/flameseeker-chronicles-extra-a-brief-history-of-tyria-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/flameseeker-chronicles-extra-a-brief-history-of-tyria-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/flameseeker-chronicles-extra-a-brief-history-of-tyria-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

From Giganticus Lupicus to Guild Wars 2
Earlier this week we started looking at the history of everything leading up to Guild Wars 2 in what is probably a grave disservice to the lore writers at ArenaNet. When we left off, the Charr and humans were still bickering over Ascalon, players had just saved the world at the end of Prophecies, and there were still some 253 years left before the start of Guild Wars 2. Now it's time for the events from Eye of the North through Guild Wars Beyond and into the present day. This lore overview isn't even pretending to be all-encompassing, but it might help you understand what the dragon nonsense is about and what's going on with the world you're stepping into. Except where events had exceptional impact, we'll largely ignore what's going on in Cantha and Elona, or else we'd need two whole more posts.

I hope it goes without saying that there are lore spoilers ahead, as well as Eye of the North, Guild Wars Beyond, and companion novel (Ghosts of Ascalon and Edge of Destiny) spoilers. You have been warned.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles Extra: A brief history of Guild Wars 2's Tyria, part two

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles Extra: A brief history of Guild Wars 2's Tyria, part two originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-brief-history-of-tyriaanetarenanetcompanion-novelsedge-of-destinyeotneye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesghosts-of-ascalonguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-beyondguild-wars-loregwgw-beyondgw-loregw1gw2historylorencsoftopinionspoilersThu, 09 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: MMO Jukebox]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/the-perfect-ten-mmo-jukebox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/the-perfect-ten-mmo-jukebox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/the-perfect-ten-mmo-jukebox/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Perfect Ten MMO Jukebox
Earlier this year, I got to expose my musically nerdy side to you all in a one-two shot of MMO theme song countdowns. The truth is that I'm just a huge sucker for video game music, and as such, I've collected a wide range of MMO scores to bolster my MP3 player.

I know that we players tend to be pretty vocal about turning off MMO music at some point, usually due to extreme repetition. Unfortunately, that seems to leave a bad association with this music in our minds, and I don't feel that reputation is deserved. MMO scores can be just as good -- if not better -- than their counterparts in film or other video games.

So I've decided that every so often I'm going to devote a full Perfect Ten to sharing my favorite MMO music. I'm always open to suggestions, of course, so if you know of a track that you feel really should be in the next list, send me an email or leave it in the comments!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: MMO Jukebox

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: MMO Jukebox originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanarchy-onlineanetaoarenanetbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcarbinecarbine-studiosccpccp-gamesclassic-mmocomposerdungeon-runnerseaelectronic-artseveeve-onlineeye-of-the-northf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivefuncomguild-warsgwhistoricalhumorinternet-spaceshipsjames-hornerjeremy-soulejukeboxlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsmines-of-moriamusicncsoftopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenpiratespirates-of-the-burning-seapotbsromrounduprunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsandboxsandparksci-fantasysci-fiscoreshadowlandssoesonysony-online-entertainmentsoundtrackspreadsheets-onlinestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtortaboreathe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtortracktuneturbineturbine-entertainmentwarcraftwildstarworld-of-warcraftwowwsThu, 21 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist looks at Guild Wars Utopia]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-game-archaeologist-looks-at-guild-wars-utopia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-game-archaeologist-looks-at-guild-wars-utopia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-game-archaeologist-looks-at-guild-wars-utopia/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars Utopia
Aztecs. Chronomancers. Mounts. Halberds. Golems. Dual wielding.

These are all but a hint of what a fourth Guild Wars campaign could have been, a campaign that was under development in the mid-2000s but was scrapped by 2007. Replacing it was the expansion Guild Wars Eye of the North and the workings of a super-secret sequel to the game (which you've probably never heard of). It was the forgotten campaign, swept under a rug while it was still under the rug.

But what if, in some alternative timeline, ArenaNet had gone ahead with this campaign? What if it became an established part of the Guild Wars legacy, as familiar to us today as Nightfall and Factions?

What if Guild Wars Utopia had lived?

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist looks at Guild Wars Utopia

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist looks at Guild Wars Utopia originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetasuraazteccampaignchronomancerclassicclassic-mmosclassicsdestroyersEric-Flannumeye-of-the-northfactionsfantasyfeaturedgame-archaelogistguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-eye-of-the-northguild-wars-factionsguild-wars-nightfallguild-wars-propheciesguild-wars-utopiagwgw2ncsoftnightfallnostalgiaopinionpropheciesSidhesummonersylvariTannecksthe-game-archaeologistutopiaTue, 08 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[[Updated] On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/on-the-seventh-day-of-giveaways-ncsoft-gave-to-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/on-the-seventh-day-of-giveaways-ncsoft-gave-to-me/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/on-the-seventh-day-of-giveaways-ncsoft-gave-to-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkmane Pacer
[UPDATE: All winners have been selected and contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered!]

On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... seven years of memories!
On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs!
On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes!
On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items!
On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years!
On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions!
On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP!

We're carrying on with the 12 Days of Giveaways! Day seven has arrived, bringing seven years of history, development, and memories. That's right: Lineage II. While free-to-play games are a dime a dozen these days, it's much more rare to be handed a free-to-play game that already has seven years of content, polish, and updates behind it.

NCsoft has given us a great Lineage II item to celebrate those seven years and the transition to free-to-play: a Darkmane Pacer mount bracelet. We've got 12 of those to hand out to some lucky Lineage II fans. Even better, the Darkmane Pacer comes bundled with a sampling of awesome items from the rest of NCsoft's lineup: a digital copy of Guild Wars: Eye of the North, a Guild Wars mercenary hero, 30 days of City of Heroes VIP status, an Aion Collector's Edition upgrade, and a pack of five True White dyes for an Aion character. Enjoy the mount in Lineage 2 and treat your gamer friends to some holiday goodies or enjoy a sampling of the NCsoft lineup all for yourself!

In either case, enter by telling us about your Lineage 2 gameplay: Are you a longtime adventurer, a returning player, or just now setting foot in Aden for the first time? Let us know before the entry deadline: tomorrow, December 20th, at 3:00 p.m. EST. Check out the contest rules for eligibility, and best of luck!

CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

Massively[Updated] On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-giveaways-2011aioncity-of-heroesCity-of-Villainscohcontestcontestscovcoxeotneye-of-the-northfree-darkmane-pacer-mountgiveawaygiveawaysguild-warsgwl2lineage-2lineage-iincsoftMon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: GW2 field trip edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-mmo-report-gw2-field-trip-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-mmo-report-gw2-field-trip-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/the-mmo-report-gw2-field-trip-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The MMO Report
This week on The MMO Report, Casey treks to Burbank, California, to check out Guild Wars 2's voice-acting studio and interview ArenaNet lead writer Bobby Stein. Stein tells the crew that his team has been working on GW2's voice-overs for three years, resulting in approximately 70 or 80 times the amount of voice work for Guild Wars 1's final installment, Eye of the North.

Casey also interviews a trio of women portraying female Charr characters, but it just wouldn't be an MMO Report field trip if Casey hadn't given the voice acting a try himself. Rising to such stage directions as "he's a cat" and "now try it drunk," Casey receives a hard-earned standing ovation from the sound booth.

All this and more in the MMO Report video tucked behind the break!

Continue reading The MMO Report: GW2 field trip edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: GW2 field trip edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbobby-steinburbankcasey-schreinercharreotneye-of-the-northfield-tripguild-warsGuild-Wars-2gwgw1gw2gwenmmo-reportnewsthe-mmo-reportvideovideosvoice-overvoice-oversvoice-workFri, 25 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet unearths treasure trove of lost Guild Wars concept art]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/arenanet-unearths-treasure-trove-of-lost-guild-wars-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/arenanet-unearths-treasure-trove-of-lost-guild-wars-concept-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/arenanet-unearths-treasure-trove-of-lost-guild-wars-concept-art/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lost Guild Wars concept art
ArenaNet has always taken Guild Wars concept art very seriously, edeavouring to make the in-game graphics match the concept as closely as possible. This is particularly true of Guild Wars and its upcoming sequel Guild Wars 2, both of which feature gorgeous vistas and impressive architecture. A lot of the original Guild Wars concept art has made its way to the public, where it offers us a glimpse of the visual targets for Ascalon, Kryta, Tyria and beyond.

In a new devblog, ArenaNet's David Campbell unearths a treasure trove of previously unseen concept art for Guild Wars' Eye of the North expansion. David explains that these five postcard-style pieces were experiments by the art team to create distinctive environments using a variety of colour palettes. Among the postcards, you'll find forested areas, epic cliff-faces, enclosed valleys and even frozen tundra.

MassivelyArenaNet unearths treasure trove of lost Guild Wars concept art originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetconcept-artdavid-campbelldev-diarydevblogeotneye-of-the-northguild-warsguild-wars-2guildwarsgwgw2ncsoftnewsSat, 29 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: MMO mascots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/the-perfect-ten-mmo-mascots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/the-perfect-ten-mmo-mascots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/the-perfect-ten-mmo-mascots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Everyone knows that a good mascot can make a difference between a video game's death and rabid popularity. Mario, Master Chief, Duke Nuke 'Em, Pac-Man, Samus Aran, Pyramid Head -- each one of these mascots isn't merely an aspect of the game, they are the virtual spokesperson (or spokesthing) which represents the game itself.

Yet when you think about it, MMOs have had a tougher time producing mascots than other video game genres, partially because unlike other games, you don't play as the mascots, and partially because when you have a cast of thousands of NPCs, picking out one to elevate above the rest is a difficult job.

Difficult, that is, but not impossible. Today we're going to look at ten MMO mascots (MMOscots?) that studios have tried to promote as the face of these games, to varying degrees of success.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: MMO mascots

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: MMO mascots originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>13371337-speakanarchy-onlineanetangelaoapril-foolsarenanetarthasbatmanbe-the-broccoliblizzardbroccolicharrchatdycity-of-heroescohddodevildungeons-and-dragons-onlineea-mythicelfy-mcnoclotheseqeverquesteye-of-the-northf2pfaxion-onlinefeaturedfree-realmsfree-to-playguild-warsguild-wars-eye-of-the-northgwgwenjack-emmertleetleet-speakleetslich-kinglistlistsmascotmascotsmythicmythic-entertainmentperfect-10perfect-tenplayboyprince-arthasretconretconningsarah-morrisonsoesquigsquigsstatesmantabula-rasathe-jokerthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenturbinewarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowWrath-of-the-Lich-KingThu, 28 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 takes us down into the dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/guild-wars-2-takes-us-down-into-the-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/guild-wars-2-takes-us-down-into-the-dungeons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/guild-wars-2-takes-us-down-into-the-dungeons/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Although Guild Wars 2 is bringing plenty of hot newness to the scene, it's also carrying on the proud tradition of dungeon-running from Eye of the North and, well, every MMO that came before it. That's not to say players should be lulled into complacency, as Jeff Grubb notes that the dungeons are very dangerous and not for the solo adventurer.

In a new article at Guild Wars 2, Grubb gives us insight into ArenaNet's philosophy behind dungeon building as well as the mechanics behind them. "When creating the dungeons, the team was faced with two seemingly exclusive desires: we wanted to tell a story with a set beginning, middle, and end, but we also wanted to create an instanced area that players could return to and enjoy in multiple ways," he writes.

The dungeons are connected by an overarching storyline about a former group of adventurers known as Destiny's Edge. By the time players are ready for these instances, they'll have been introduced to the band, their legacy, and the resulting breakup. Dungeon-diving will give players an opportunity to meet the members and perhaps bring them back together.

Grubb notes that the game is currently home to eight dungeons, all of which are level 35 or higher. In addition to the story mode, dungeons also offer up to three different exploration modes apiece that should significantly up the replay value on these instances.

You can read the introduction to Guild Wars 2's most deadly places on the official blog!

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 takes us down into the dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdestinys-edgedungeonsexploration-modeeye-of-the-northguild-wars-2gwgw2instancesjeff-grubbstory-modeFri, 24 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Foreshadowing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/one-shots-foreshadowing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/one-shots-foreshadowing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/one-shots-foreshadowing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Welcome to Endgame Week on One Shots! Today's image comes to us from Guild Wars, with a little dash of Guild Wars 2:
This is the final fight in Guild Wars: Eye of the North. You have to kill the Great Destroyer and its minions, but looming overhead is something much bigger: one of the dragons that will awaken in Guild Wars 2.
Do you have an epic endgame screenshot? Send it to us at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll show it off on One Shots with a helping of public thanks to you!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: Foreshadowing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteotneye-of-the-northgalleriesgallerygreat-destroyerguild-warsgwncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsMon, 09 May 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Let's review!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/flameseeker-chronicles-lets-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/flameseeker-chronicles-lets-review/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/flameseeker-chronicles-lets-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The ArenaNet team has been quiet lately in the news department and deservedly so. Between GDC, PAX East, the Guild Wars 2 Thief, and Embark Beach and heroes in Guild Wars 1, I imagine the developers are ready to catch up on frivolous things like eating, sleeping, sitting, and breathing.

We've got Winds of Change and Guild Wars' sixth birthday to look forward to, but in the meantime, I want to take the opportunity to play catch-up. When there's a pause in new information, I always enjoy backing up a bit and spending some quality time with newer players.

I know that there's been another influx of new players recently, particularly after so many saw GW2 at PAX. Follow along after the jump for a roundup of Guild Wars basic guides as well as an update and information on Massively's official Guild Wars guild.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Let's review!

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Let's review! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguideguidesguildguild-warsguild-wars-101Guild-Wars-2guildsgwgw2hall-of-monumentshomlivestreammassively-overpoweredmvopncsoftnightfallpropheciespvewinds-of-changeMon, 21 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: My name is Gwen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/flameseeker-chronicles-my-name-is-gwen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/flameseeker-chronicles-my-name-is-gwen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/flameseeker-chronicles-my-name-is-gwen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we approach the height of the holiday season, we continue seeing a shift in the focus of the ArenaNet team. While there's not a complete move from Guild Wars 2 to Guild Wars 1, things are a bit more evenly divided thanks to Guild Wars: Beyond and the approaching Wintersday festivities.

I've mentioned before that it's interesting to watch Guild Wars 1 continue to progress and develop as its own game while at the same time begin telling the story of Guild Wars 2. That's a fine line to walk, and ArenaNet is balancing nicely. While the devs are doing their balancing act and we've got a little lull before Wintersday hits, I want to take a look at someone who is arguably the most iconic character in Guild Wars: Gwen.

Most of us have known Gwen since day one of our Guild Wars experience. She trailed around chattering and healing us. She skipped and twirled and stumbled. She became the face and voice of the victims of the Searing for us. She (sort of) welcomed us to the Eye of the North. And she became a legend that carried forward 250 years into Guild Wars 2. Love her or hate her, she is one of the cornerstones of the Guild Wars world. Follow along after the jump as I take a closer look at Gwen.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: My name is Gwen

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: My name is Gwen originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteye-of-the-northfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsGuild-Wars-2guildsgwgw2gwenmassively-overpoweredmvopncsoftpre-searingMon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive interview: Guild Wars unveils Hearts of the North]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/exclusive-interview-guild-wars-unveils-hearts-of-the-north/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/exclusive-interview-guild-wars-unveils-hearts-of-the-north/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/exclusive-interview-guild-wars-unveils-hearts-of-the-north/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When we last left our heroes, a distraught Gwen was crying in the Hall of Monuments, and Keiran Thackeray had disappeared. Thankfully, knowledgeable Guild Wars fans weren't too worried over the fate of the most prominent couple in the game. Logan Thackeray and Ebonhawke in Guild Wars 2 carry our assurance that the original couple reunited and married at some point.

That point has arrived with Hearts of the North, the newest content addition to Guild Wars. Hearts of the North brings new quests and missions to the game as you progress from the search for Keiran to the wedding festivities. There is plenty of variety, including a Bonus Mission Pack-style event in which you play as Keiran and a more lighthearted chance to help a Norn wedding planner arrange the ceremony. The highlight of all the new content, of course, is the wedding. There are five new costumes for you to choose from for the ceremony, so get ready to choose your favorite formal wear and help bring our lovebirds back together!

Hold on though, because we have so much more for you! We are as excited to see new Guild Wars content as the rest of the community, and we inundated ArenaNet with questions. John Stumme had plenty to say to all of them, even tossing in a few extra surprises for us. Follow along after the jump for the full scoop on Hearts of the North!

Continue reading Exclusive interview: Guild Wars unveils Hearts of the North

MassivelyExclusive interview: Guild Wars unveils Hearts of the North originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteotneye-of-the-northguild-warsGuild-Wars-2guild-wars-beyondgwgw2gwenhearts-of-the-northjohn-stummekeiran-thackerayncsoftquestsweddingThu, 18 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Falling for fall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/one-shots-falling-for-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/one-shots-falling-for-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/one-shots-falling-for-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Here in the Northern hemisphere, it's that gorgeous time of year again -- fall! With crunchy leaves and chilly days, it's a perfect time to snuggle down and enjoy some gaming in the evenings. Of course, if you live in an area where it's just a little too warm for the leaves to turn colors, you can enjoy some beautiful fall weather in Guild Wars! This image comes to us from Tammy M. who captured it recently in the Eye of the North expansion. She writes in to explain this lovely scene: "[Here's an image of] a beautiful waterfall in the Grothmar Wardowns. I was so happy with this screenshot that it is the wallpaper for my work computer, home computer, and iPod Touch. The level of detail the developers and artists put in to this game is just stunning."

Have you found a lovely area in-game that became your desktop background? We're always interested in breathtaking scenery from around the MMOGsphere. If you'd like to share, send it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a brief description of what we're seeing. Please try to make sure the image is at least 1024px wide with as little visible UI as is possible. Yours could be featured next!

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Falling for fall originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteotneye-of-the-northgrothmar-wardownsguild-warsgwncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotstammy-mWed, 03 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get Guild Wars: Eye of the North for $5.99]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/get-guild-wars-eye-of-the-north-for-5-99/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/get-guild-wars-eye-of-the-north-for-5-99/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/get-guild-wars-eye-of-the-north-for-5-99/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild Wars players both new and old are all about building their Hall of Monuments score these days, thanks to ArenaNet's recent announcement about the Hall of Monuments calculator.

If you're anxious to get your connection to Guild Wars 2 underway but haven't purchased Eye of the North yet, it's your lucky day! Newegg has the expansion for $5.99 with free shipping. It's a box copy, so the instant gratification of digital download isn't an option, but that price combined with free shipping might just make it worth it to you.

If you want to learn more about the expansion before you pick it up, check out the entry on the official Guild Wars wiki, then head to Newegg and get your copy!

MassivelyGet Guild Wars: Eye of the North for $5.99 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteotneye-of-the-northguild-warsguild-wars-eye-of-the-northgwncsoftneweggsaleTue, 26 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to 50: A guide to filling your Guild Wars Hall of Monuments (III)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/the-road-to-50-a-guide-to-filling-your-guild-wars-hall-of-monum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/the-road-to-50-a-guide-to-filling-your-guild-wars-hall-of-monum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/the-road-to-50-a-guide-to-filling-your-guild-wars-hall-of-monum/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today's Road to 50 is all about the Monument to Honor. The biggest of them all, the one with the cool statue behind it, and the one that you need 15 points rather than eight to max. You've got more freedom here, though: there are a total of 53 available titles and you need 40 for maximum points.

This gives you some flexibility to pick and choose according to your playstyle, but it can still seem pretty overwhelming. There are some pretty efficient ways to do this, and once you start you'll be surprised at how quickly the bars start filling. Follow along after the jump and let's take a look.

Continue reading The Road to 50: A guide to filling your Guild Wars Hall of Monuments (III)

MassivelyThe Road to 50: A guide to filling your Guild Wars Hall of Monuments (III) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteotneye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2hall-of-monumentshall-of-monuments-calculatorHoMhonormonument-to-honorncsoftnightfallpropheciespvepvpskillsthe-road-to-50titlesvanquishingWed, 13 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to 50: A guide to filling your Guild Wars Hall of Monuments (II)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/the-road-to-50-a-guide-to-filling-your-guild-wars-hall-of-monum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/the-road-to-50-a-guide-to-filling-your-guild-wars-hall-of-monum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/the-road-to-50-a-guide-to-filling-your-guild-wars-hall-of-monum/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome to day two of The Road to 50! After addressing minipets yesterday, I'm excited to spend today on their larger counterparts: pets and heroes. The Monument to Fellowship is so much fun to fill in my view, because it sends you to challenge missions, off-the-beaten-path quests, elite areas, and more in order to obtain everything on the list.

Getting every pet required and armor for every hero in the game, in my view, is an opportunity to explore some real teamwork with your friends, guildmates, and allies while you see parts of Guild Wars that you haven't seen before.

Follow along as I tell you all about how to get the full eight points in the Monument to Fellowship.

Continue reading The Road to 50: A guide to filling your Guild Wars Hall of Monuments (II)

MassivelyThe Road to 50: A guide to filling your Guild Wars Hall of Monuments (II) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteotneye-of-the-northfeaturedguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2hall-of-monumentshall-of-monuments-calculatorheroeshommonument-to-fellowshipncsoftnightfallpetsthe-road-to-50zaishen-menagerieTue, 12 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars: Eye of the North gets Steamy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/guild-wars-eye-of-the-north-gets-steamy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/guild-wars-eye-of-the-north-gets-steamy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/guild-wars-eye-of-the-north-gets-steamy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you've been holding back from purchasing Guild Wars' first (and probably only) expansion pack, then you might want to reconsider. Guild Wars: Eye of the North not only is available on Steam for the first time, but is being offered for 33% off one week only, bringing the price down to $13.39 until October 15th. This is a better deal than the discount that NCsoft is offering on its own store, where GW:EotN is on sale for $19.99.

While not a full-fledged campaign, Eye of the North does offer a huge assortment of goodies, including new regions, tons of dungeons, dozens of new skills, additional heroes, and rare armor sets.

For players eagerly awaiting Guild Wars 2, it's definitely worth a trip back through the lands of Tyria, especially now that we're learning more about how the Hall of Monuments from Eye of the North will "pay forward" rewards and titles into Guild Wars 2.

MassivelyGuild Wars: Eye of the North gets Steamy originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-eye-of-the-northgwgw2hall-of-monumentsncsoftpromotionsalesteamtyriaSat, 09 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: The top of the falls]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/one-shots-the-top-of-the-falls/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/one-shots-the-top-of-the-falls/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/one-shots-the-top-of-the-falls/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While Tarnished Haven in Guild Wars is said to be a place for refugees on the run from the ruling faction in Lion's Arch, there's absolutely nothing tarnished about it from where we're sitting. Sure, it's a wild-looking area, but that wildness gives rise to beautiful locales like this waterfall. This image was captured for us to enjoy here on One Shots by Jostein H., who writes: "When I was exploring in Asura lands, I came across this beautiful waterfall in Tarnished Haven. Enjoy!" I think it's safe to say that we all will.

We love to check out new and interesting screenshots of familiar lands. If you'd like to show us an interesting place you've found while out exploring, it's easy to do. Just email your screenshot to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a note about what we're seeing in the image. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for showing off the interesting spot!

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: The top of the falls originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenaneteotneye-of-the-northguild-warsgwjostein-hone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsFri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Charr bags, Elementalist cleavage, Peacekeepers, and a flood of NPCs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/flameseeker-chronicles-charr-bags-elementalist-cleavage-peace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/flameseeker-chronicles-charr-bags-elementalist-cleavage-peace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/flameseeker-chronicles-charr-bags-elementalist-cleavage-peace/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's been an extremely busy week for Guild Wars fans -- for starters, the Massively guild went rampaging through pre-searing again with the goal of unlocking all of the towns in pre, accomplishing this with an extension of the Charr bag giveaway mentioned last week. Instead of a single one, I wound up with a total of five thanks to the generosity of a member of [MVOP]. Once the original bag was given away, I handed out the other four through more random drawings and trivia questions, one in each new town we unlocked. It was a good time and an excellent way to help the group reach all of the towns.

The Ventrilo group had a great time as usual with players assisting one another through various quests, answering questions, discussing other games, and having some hilariously disturbing conversations about what exactly a "Charr bag" is, and how ubiquitous Elementalist cleavage is in Guild Wars. Sera was the exception to this rule, as her Elementalist is entirely composed of bloom and she has no visible features whatsoever. Joking aside, the large-capacity Ventrilo server has added an element of fun to the Massively outings that would absolutely be lacking otherwise. If you've not joined us there on Thursday nights, please jump in and chat with us -- you can find the login information in the [MVOP] guild status window.

All good things must come to an end, though, and most of [MVOP] is ready to move on to the Searing. Next week we're going to go Charr hunting in the Northlands for a bit, then wrap up the evening by going post as a group, so be ready!

What about the other events happening in Guild Wars lately? Follow along after the jump to see what's going on in Tyria.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Charr bags, Elementalist cleavage, Peacekeepers, and a flood of NPCs

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Charr bags, Elementalist cleavage, Peacekeepers, and a flood of NPCs originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsGuild-Wars-2MVOPncsoftpropheciesshining-bladewar-in-krytaMon, 17 May 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest Guild Wars update furthers Obey/Dismantle campaign and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/latest-guild-wars-update-furthers-obey-dismantle-campaign-and-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/latest-guild-wars-update-furthers-obey-dismantle-campaign-and-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/latest-guild-wars-update-furthers-obey-dismantle-campaign-and-mo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The intriguing developments surrounding Guild Wars continue with an update to the game released late last night. As is typical of ArenaNet, we've gotten just enough to make us extremely curious about what's coming next. So what's going on?

To start with, the ongoing conflict between the White Mantle and Shining Blade continues to escalate. The Mantle have introduced a new element: White Mantle Peacekeepers, which can be found throughout the explorable areas in Kryta. You may want to take a moment to stop by the Shining Blade camp while you're at it and see what they have to say about this new addition.

Things in Eye of the North continue to develop as well, but don't worry, it's not more grocery runs for Keiran. Remember Zinn and his out of control golems? The other Asura, led by Oola are all set to take him to task for the fiasco in a hilarious trial. We won't spoil the ending for you, but once it's over, make sure you talk to the various witnesses and participants -- you'll enjoy the dialogue.

With the fifth birthday of Guild Wars coming closer and closer, we are assuming that this is all leading up to something big, but is it all connected? Time will tell, and we'll keep an eye out for any new information!

MassivelyLatest Guild Wars update furthers Obey/Dismantle campaign and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northguild-warsncsoftpeacekeepersshining-bladewhite-mantlezinnetFri, 09 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Frozen in time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/one-shots-frozen-in-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/one-shots-frozen-in-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/one-shots-frozen-in-time/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


With so many people indicating they too cannot wait for Guild Wars 2, we'd make a bet a whole bunch of people who haven't been in Guild Wars for a little while jumped back in to enjoy some time there this weekend. Then you have people who regularly play like today's One Shots contributor, Brittle Bullet, who sent in this frosty, luminous Guild Wars image. He writes in: This screenshot is from Guild Wars: Eye of the North. The final level of the Frostmaw's Burrows dungeon, where Frostmaw the Kinslayer, the second largest creature in the game, resides. It's a long and treacherous journey to this place, so it's nice that the lair of a dangerous beast is so beautiful.

If you're one of the many returning - or still present - Guild Wars players, we'd love to see some screenshots from you! All you have to do is email them to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll show them off and let others know of your adventures.

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Frozen in time originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northguild-warsgwncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsMon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: The frosty lands of Sifhalla]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/one-shots-the-frosty-lands-of-sifhalla/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/one-shots-the-frosty-lands-of-sifhalla/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/one-shots-the-frosty-lands-of-sifhalla/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Despite the warm weather in many areas, in game some places remain cold and dark, creating a foreboding sense of gloom. Today's One Shots shows off one such area from Guild Wars' Eye of the North expansion. This screen comes to us from regular Guild Wars contributor Shawn W. who writes: Sif Shadowhunter refused to battle for an encampment held by other Norn; instead building her own hearthstead and defending it so fiercely that some call it "Bear Mother's Cave" in tribute to her strength and glory. Others of similar attitude have put up hides here, describing notorious foes they plan to hunt, or daring others to track them down.

Do you have a spot in game important to the lore of the land you love to roam? If so, we'd love to see some screenshots of them! Just drop us an email here to oneshots AT massively.com including screenshot and a quick blurb as to what we're looking at. Yours could be one of the upcoming One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots


MassivelyOne Shots: The frosty lands of Sifhalla originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 May 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northguild-warsgwncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsshawn-wTue, 27 May 2008 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Through the darkened wood]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/one-shots-through-the-darkened-wood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/one-shots-through-the-darkened-wood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/one-shots-through-the-darkened-wood/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Dark and sinister places, while being the kinds of locales that one would normally tend to avoid in the real world, can be places of great adventure in MMOGs. Today's One Shots landscape comes from Shawn W. who sent in this spooky Guild Wars screenshot from near Doomlore Shrine in the Eye of the North expansion. If you look very closely, you can see a stream of what appears to be people down in the valley... or are they?

Do you have a great screenshot of a landscape that you'd like to share with the world? If so, drop us a note at oneshots AT massively.com with your image, and a quick blurb about it. With weekend gaming coming up, we want to see what you're up to. So send those screenshots in!

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Through the darkened wood originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 May 2008 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northguild-warsgwshawn-wFri, 23 May 2008 14:08:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Guild Wars makes a return!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/one-shots-guild-wars-makes-a-return/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/one-shots-guild-wars-makes-a-return/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/one-shots-guild-wars-makes-a-return/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We haven't seen too terribly many Guild Wars pictures for a while now, so when we saw this mail come in, we did a happy dance. Today's One Shots comes to us courtesy of Shawn W. He explained that this image is from near the Doomlore Shrine in the Eye of the North expansion area in Guild Wars. We know very little beyond that in regards to this image, but we are glad to see some more Guild Wars love!

Do you have an image from a game we haven't covered in a while -- or ever? If so, drop those screenshots into an email and send them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com! We love visiting lots of different lands.

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Guild Wars makes a return! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 May 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteye-of-the-northguild-warsone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsThu, 08 May 2008 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars third year anniversary retrospective: Nightfall and Eye of the North]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/guild-wars-third-year-anniversary-retrospective-nightfall-and-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/guild-wars-third-year-anniversary-retrospective-nightfall-and-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/guild-wars-third-year-anniversary-retrospective-nightfall-and-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Guild Wars began life as an unknown; an experiment into combining some of the best elements of Diablo 2-style online hack and slash with the persistent storytelling of traditional MMOs. Its first two years were wildly successful, despite the reservations of veteran players. With several million boxes sold and expectations high, Guild Wars' second year of live service had already begun with a bang. Guild Wars: Factions released to much fanfare, but didn't deliver on all the notes fans of the original Prophecies campaign were hoping for.

In October 2006 Arena.net answered those expectations with a brand-new campaign, still lauded to this day as the greatest addition to the series. Guild Wars: Nightfall introduced yet another entirely original campaign setting. It also added the Hero mechanic into the game, allowing players the opportunity to level up their fully customizable NPC allies. Capitalizing on the momentum of that release, the series' first real expansion was unveiled for players in August of 2007. Last year's Guild Wars: Eye of the North added a bevy of new ways to play the game, and paved the way for the upcoming Guild Wars 2.

Today, in honor of Guild Wars' third birthday, we've got a retrospective on the two most recent explorations of the original game concept. We'll offer up some imagery from the past, reflect on how the game is today, and look ahead to the future of the series. Click on through to explore the history of Guild Wars, and don't miss our other retrospective on the first two boxes in the series!

Gallery: Guild Wars Three-Year Anniversary: Nightfall and Eye of the North

Tribal HeadsThe TempleSwamp SummoningAbaddon's DeathKoss Goes to Work

MassivelyGuild Wars third year anniversary retrospective: Nightfall and Eye of the North originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryarena.neteye-of-the-northfeaturedguild-warsgwgwenjoystiqfeaturesncsoftnightfallMon, 28 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Charr confrontation in the Eye of the North]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/one-shots-charr-confrontation-in-the-eye-of-the-north/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/one-shots-charr-confrontation-in-the-eye-of-the-north/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/one-shots-charr-confrontation-in-the-eye-of-the-north/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Today's screenshot comes to us from the climax of one of Guild Wars: Eye of the North's most memorable quests - Assault on the Stronghold. Your character leads a charge of fiercesome Charr warriors against another group of their kinsmen, in a desperate bid to stop the unleashing of terrible, terrible things. To do so, you have to bust through the fortifications surrounding the heretic Charr encampment. Luckily you have some help: a giant siegeweapon built on the back of an enormous insect. The screenshot above depicts the confrontation between your Charr allies and Pyre Fierceshot, the noble Charr warrior who you call friend.

These mighty opponents arrive just in time to save the soul of their people; they're also just in time for Guild Wars' fourth anniversary! Make sure to check out all of recent feature coverage on the game in honor of the event. Especially make sure you check out our retrospectives on both Prophecies/Factions and Nightfall/Eye of the North.

Do you have a screenshot of a dramatic quest? An MMO cutscene that just floored you? Whatever your flavor of screenshot, we'd love to see it. Just toss it into an email to oneshots AT massively DOT com!

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: Charr confrontation in the Eye of the North originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charreye-of-the-northguild-warsgwgwenone-shotsMon, 28 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars tops 5 million sold]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/guild-wars-tops-5-million-sold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/guild-wars-tops-5-million-sold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/guild-wars-tops-5-million-sold/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A bit behind the times with this, but better late than never: Guild Wars cracked five million boxes sold late last month! NCsoft is (understandably) pleased, and there's a lot of crowing in the official press release. That number includes every box in the whole franchise, of course, so that's spread out across Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North.

That's a pretty outstanding achievement, with the game having originally launched back in April of 2005. Back in the day, just after World of Warcraft had launched, the idea of a US publisher succeeding with a game that didn't require a subscription was considering crazy talk. With Guild Wars 2 already in the works and now five million units of the original out and about in the world, I'd say that kind of talk is now quite debunked.

While it doesn't look like there's any sort of in-game celebration going on, the site has a few details for other community-type things. The February Championship series results are in, if you care about that sort of thing. They're also running a contest right now, if you have an eye for design, looking to get players making brand-new weapons for inclusion in the game. The weapons from the 2007 design-a-weapon contest are fantastic, so good luck to any budding artists out there.

Gallery: Guild Wars Core Gallery

MassivelyGuild Wars tops 5 million sold originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena.netbreakingeye-of-the-northfactionsfive-millionguild-warsgwncsoftnightfallpropheciessales-numbersWed, 05 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMORPG.com's Eye of the North review highlights player discontent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/mmorpg-coms-eye-of-the-north-review-makes-excellent-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/mmorpg-coms-eye-of-the-north-review-makes-excellent-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/mmorpg-coms-eye-of-the-north-review-makes-excellent-points/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


A review was recently posted at the MMORPG.com site for Arena.net's latest Guild Wars release, Eye of the North. While I personally have been enjoying some of the new content in the expansion (and the Wintersday event) there are definitely some concerns among the players about the Eye. Beyond reviewing the game, Jeremy Star's piece does a great job of running down some of the biggest issues I've heard in discussions with other players.

He specifically calls out Arena on the biggest problem with Eye of the North: that many players don't think this is an adequate stopgap between late 2007 and whenever Guild Wars 2 will be released ... but the whole experience teases the in-development title. Asura, Norn, Dwarves, and Charr are all over the North, but none of them are playable. The Hall of Monuments is a big deal with bonuses you'll get to use at some point in the indeterminate future. The expansion sounds and looks great, but it's just not up to the standards of previous releases (especially Nightfall).

With this release and the closing of GuildCast, are these dire signs for Arena's game? Are players going to maintain interest in Guild Wars until the spiritual sequel goes live?

MassivelyMMORPG.com's Eye of the North review highlights player discontent originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena.neteye-of-the-northguild-warsguild-wars-2guildcastgwmmorpg.comopinionreviewFri, 28 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Visit the Eye of the North for a holiday break]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/visit-the-eye-of-the-north-for-a-holiday-break/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/visit-the-eye-of-the-north-for-a-holiday-break/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/visit-the-eye-of-the-north-for-a-holiday-break/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Just yesterday we discussed Arena.net's decision to lower the entry barrier to the Eye of the North expansion. They're now capitalizing on that by offering everyone that owns a Guild Wars campaign the chance to check out the new content.

For a limited time you can use a public code over at the Guild Wars site to gain access to a five-hour trial of GWEN. The code will only work from within the client, and can be used for up to 14 days before the trial expires. To give you even more bang for your buck, from this weekend out until next Sunday (the 16th), playing through Eye of the North content will net you plenty of extras:
  • Triple experience from all primary storyline quests in Eye of the North.
  • Double the chance to receive rare items from chests, and triple the drop rate of Lockpicks in Eye of the North.
  • Double gold and experience rewards for vanquishing Eye of the North explorable areas while playing in Hard Mode.

MassivelyVisit the Eye of the North for a holiday break originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfree-trialguild-warsgwholidaysSat, 08 Dec 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars patch lowers access level for Eye of the North]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/guild-wars-patch-lowers-access-level-for-eye-of-the-north/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/guild-wars-patch-lowers-access-level-for-eye-of-the-north/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/guild-wars-patch-lowers-access-level-for-eye-of-the-north/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This week's update to Guild Wars brings the usual assortment of bug fixes and pvp tweaks, but it also offers up a curious change to the way that Arena.net's latest release (Eye of the North) works. At launch two months ago, players needed a max-level character to gain access to the new content. Level 20 in Guild Wars is fairly easy to attain, and I didn't think much of it. Now, though, the company is offering access to the expansion as early as level 10.

Additional notes include:
  • Players who are between levels 10 and 19 and are in Eye of the North maps will automatically receive a buff called Journey to the North. This buff [effectively makes them 20th level for armor, stats, and health. The buff also effectively gives characters 20th level attributes.]
  • Players new to Eye of the North can now receive a basic max damage weapon by completing the Hero Tutorial quest given by Burol Ironfist in Boreal Station. Once completed, players receive a Burol Ironfist's Commendation item that can be turned in to Arkor Leadfoot in Boreal Station for a weapon of their choosing.
  • A new armorer, Jolvor Stoneforge, has been added to Boreal Station to give players a cheaper source of basic max level armor in the Eye of the North expansion.
So ... what does this mean? The opinion in the community is that almost everyone has a 20th level character. Veteran players talk about running an alt up to 20 like it's nothing, and even challenge themselves with strange and arcane hoops to gain unique titles. Obviously Arena.net feels that there is a significant population of players out there that want to participate in the GWEN content, but don't have a 20th level character.

Is there any other reason to drop the level requirement and offer these boosts? Guild Wars vets, fill us in ... why the change so soon after the expansion launches?

MassivelyGuild Wars patch lowers access level for Eye of the North originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena.neteye-of-the-northguild-warsgwgwenncsoftFri, 07 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: A sense of impending doom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/one-shots-a-sense-of-impending-doom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/one-shots-a-sense-of-impending-doom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/one-shots-a-sense-of-impending-doom/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Our own Jonathan Northwood took this shot taken in the catacombs outside Ashford Abbey in Guild Wars: Eye of the North. Jon tells us that this shot was taken right before the party was slaughtered by a band of Golems. "In essence, they were the Jets to our Sharks." Can't we all just get along?

We're considering renaming One Shots to Guild Shots to celebrate its recent Guild Wars exclusivity. In fact, our mailbox has so many Guild Wars screenshots in it we're seriously starting to wonder if you play any other MMOs. We only post what you send us, so if you want to see other games, send your screenshots and stories to oneshots@massively.com. You may see it posted here tomorrow!

Gallery: One Shots

MassivelyOne Shots: A sense of impending doom originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ashford-abbeyeye-of-the-northfeaturedguild-warsguild-wars-eye-of-the-northgwenncsoftSun, 02 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars packs pack some punch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/guild-wars-packs-pack-some-punch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/guild-wars-packs-pack-some-punch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/guild-wars-packs-pack-some-punch/#commentsFiled under: ,

Looking for a stocking stuffer for your Guild Wars-addicted significant other? As an end of the year promotion, NCsoft has announced that they're bringing back Skill and Item Unlock Packs, giving players paid access to all the skills and items from every Guild Wars game from the original through Eye of the North, some geared towards PvE and others aimed specifically at facilitating PvP domination. As an added bit of value (perhaps to spread holiday cheer?), all packs will be selling at a 50% discount from now through the end of the year. So they're cheap, and they save your significant other some time they can spend with you... perhaps playing through Issue 11?

I've always been unsure of what to make of promotions like this, since it's not the first time these packs have been available. Granted, I never really played much Guild Wars so I don't have the best idea of how important itemization is in that game, but if Blizzard had offered a "Tier 1 pack" back in the day for a few shekels, I imagine I would have felt guilty about buying it.

Still, it's nice of them to offer, and you can't really argue with the price.

MassivelyGuild Wars packs pack some punch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northguild-warsholidaysncsoftpackspve-packspvp-packssaleThu, 15 Nov 2007 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 7]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-07/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-07/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-07/#commentsFiled under: ,


Due to overwhelming response earlier from the casters in the house, we decided to pick a cool Guild Wars caster-style screenshot for the final giveaway. Not that we're giving away the picture (the art giveaway was the last giveaway post) but we thought it was fitting as we wind down into the later hours of the chilly night.

For this, our final Guild Wars themed giveaway, we're offering the last of the boxed sets of all of the Guild Wars games. Featuring many interesting classes, areas, and power sets, (as well as those henchmen we love so very dearly) Guild Wars is fun to play and easy on the eyes. Of course, there's always the official rules that we have to abide by that say you must be 18+, a U.S. resident, and leave a comment between now and 10:00 PM Eastern tomorrow evening. (11/10)

Good luck!

MassivelyMassively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 7 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedguild-warsgw-giveawaysmassively-giveawaysncsoftnightfallFri, 09 Nov 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 6]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-06/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-06/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-06/#commentsFiled under: ,


We don't know about you, but the thing that really sets different MMOs apart for us is the graphical feel involved in each game. Sure, all the developer houses have great concepts, and we love the stories involved. But it is the artists who breathe the colorful life into all of these worlds. They give us great characters to play and sweeping vistas to play in.

So for this giveaway on today's Guild Wars theme day, we're passing along a fantastic art print from the Guild Wars artists. That's right; one lucky winner will walk away with the above print, suitable for framing. Of course, you must be 18+, a resident of the U.S. and all those other details outlined in our official rules to win. Just leave a comment between now and 8:00 PM Eastern tomorrow (11/10) and you're automagically entered to win this really unique piece of art.

MassivelyMassively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 6 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedguild-warsgw-giveawaysmassive-giveawaysncsoftnightfallFri, 09 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 5]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-05/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-05/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-05/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ah, fantasy lands! Where you can meet the strangest creatures, whomp on them, and make off with their belongings for fun and profit. Nothing is quite like stepping into a new world for the first time. This hour we're featuring a Guild Wars key that will give you access to all the games thus far, enabling you to visit all the strange and wonderful parts of the Guild Wars world. While it will mean a download for our lucky winner, those seeking challenge and adventure in strange new places will certainly not be defeated by such a minor thing as that.

Yes, the official rules are still in effect, meaning that you have to be 18+, a resident of the U.S. and not a fuzzy wolf guy just waiting to pounce and eat our face like the one pictured above. Of course, there's a small catch -- we want to know what mob you took up revenge killing on because they ate your face one too many times. (any MMO will do) That's it! Easy, no?

Tell us your most hated face-munching mob in the comments before 6:00 PM Eastern tomorrow (11/10), and you may be the lucky winner who walks away with the key.

MassivelyMassively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 5 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedguild-warsgw-giveawaysmassive-giveawaysncsoftnightfallFri, 09 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 4]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-04/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-04/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-04/#commentsFiled under: ,


One of the reasons we think Fantasy-themed MMOs have been so big is just because you can do some truly wicked things that you just can't pull off in meatspace. Magic spells, teleporting from town to town, and those amazing costumes are right up there on the list of things we wish we had everyday access to in the real world. Of course, Guild Wars has all of those these nifty tidbits and more -- and without requiring 'rent' like life tends to.

For this featured giveaway, we're offering up another Guild Wars boxed set of all the games. If you haven't had a chance to check out GW, this is perfect for you. Of course, if you already have a copy of Guild Wars for yourself, why not enter anyway? You never know -- if you meet the requirements of being 18+, a U.S. resident, and have read the official rules -- you may just land a copy to give to a friend for the upcoming holidays. Just be sure to answer the following question before 4:00 PM Eastern tomorrow. (11/10)

If real life was an MMO, what class would you be?

MassivelyMassively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 4 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedguild-warsgw-giveawaysmassive-giveawaysncsoftnightfallFri, 09 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-03/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-03/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-03/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you've been with us this far, you know today is Guild Wars day here at Massively. Yes, we have delved into the land of scantily clad ladies and powerful, daring men that would make even Vallejo feel all warm and fuzzy. (Okay, maybe it just makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. But still...) This time, we're featuring four copies of Eye of the North to give away! Well, three boxed copies and one game key, but again, we know a download won't stop you from getting your monster slaying on.

Four lucky winners will be chosen at random for this giveaway -- although I will warn you that Eye of the North requires you to have a copy of Guild Wars already. EotN is the first real game-required expansion to the series as opposed to the prior standalone "expansions." Of course, we have to throw out the official rules disclaimer that you must be 18 years of age, a resident of the U.S., leave a comment here before 2:00 pm Eastern on 11/10, and fully understand that the blonde hottie above will not show up at your house to give you your copy. But if you already have Guild Wars and would like to pick up a copy of the Eye of the North for your very own, here's your chance.

On your mark, get set, comment!

MassivelyMassively's Massive Giveaways: Guild Wars part 3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfactionsfeaturedguild-warsgw-giveawaysmassive-giveawaysncsoftnightfallFri, 09 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Massive Giveaways - Guild Wars part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-02/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-02/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/gw-giveawy-02/#commentsFiled under: ,


We don't know about you, but lunch hour is one of the best times of the day. Why? Not only do you get to relax for a bit, but in our case, it's a great time to get some gaming in. Of course, some people will undoubtedly scream at us for having food anywhere near the computer. (At least you're not having to buy our replacement keyboards, eh? ;D )

For this next giveaway, we're offering up today's featured game; Guild Wars. Why is this a great lunchtime game? Simple! The way the GW world is set up, you can generally easily grab a quest or two and blow through them in a lunch hour. Or you can just log in for a bit and enjoy the beautiful landscape, letting your mind chill out in some place that doesn't look like a cubicle or classroom for a bit. Now to the good part -- one lucky winner is getting what we like to consider the Guild Wars lunchtime escape pack! We're giving away all of the Guild Wars games (this time in full boxed set that we'll mail to you) for folks who need a game to enjoy some downtime in.

This time, however, we'd like to hear what your favorite lunchtime escape is. Do you like to game, read, take a walk, or just come hang out with us here for lunch? Leave your lunchtime advice in the comments and you may be lucky enough to walk away with lots of Guild Wars goodness! As per the official rules, you must be 18 and up, a U.S. resident, and have left that lunchtime tip left here before 12:00 pm Eastern on 11/10 to be eligible.

So tell us, what's your lunchtime zen?

MassivelyMassively's Massive Giveaways - Guild Wars part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eye-of-the-northfactionsguild-warsgw-giveawaysmassive-giveawaysncsoftnightfallFri, 09 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST