I don’t play a lot of online games.  It’s a combination of not being competitive enough and not being willing to make the commitment to my fellow gamers.  GuildWars  was the exception to that.   There were a couple of things I liked right from the get-go.

There are no monthly subscription fees.  You buy the game, you play the game as much as you want for as long as you want.  What a concept!

It is one of the most visually stunning games in any genre in my opinion.   Many thanks to Daniel Dociu for that.  The man is a creative genius in terms of concept art design and art direction.   Google him if you doubt me.

The other perk for me personally is the ability to solo through most of the game with only AIs for company.  I know, the idea is Massively Multiplayer.  Not so much for me.  I thought it was a beautiful game.  I love the way it’s put together.  The story was well constructed and the worlds immense.  Why should I have to mess that up by hanging around with other people?  The nice people at ArenaNet seem to understand.  There are a few places where you have to partner up with real people, but for the most part, I can solo.  Their Design Manifesto on the ArenaNet blog http://www.arena.net/blog/guild-wars-2-design-manifesto promises to continue this in GuildWars 2.

Unlike the previous stand-alone expansions Factions and Nightfall, or the Eye of the North add on for the original GuildWars, GuildWars 2 is set to be a totally new adventure.  It takes place 200+ years after the first series and will feature new settings, new creatures, new threats, a more organic story system and five, count them FIVE playable races!

There are very few games that I am willing to say I can’t wait for.  This is the only one for me right now.  I’m not expecting it until late 2012, or maybe 2013.  That’s okay.  Whenever it gets here, it’s going to be most welcome.  Like an old friend too long absent.

I’ll post more as it gets closer.

Cheers, Winston

Guild Wars Copyright and Trademark Information

© 2011 ArenaNet, Inc. All rights reserved. NCsoft, the interlocking NC logo, ArenaNet, Arena.net, Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall, Nightfall, Guild Wars: Eye of the North, Eye of the North, Guild Wars 2, and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.