If you haven't already heard, ArenaNet this week announced the release date for Guild Wars 2. Less than two months away, the 28th August 2012 can't come quick enough for those of us who have waited almost five years for the game to launch. Having already used the remainder of my annual leave for a full week off work (though I'll still be providing coverage here at GW2Hub) all I keep thinking is; my body is ready.
With a Beta weekend event confirmed by Mike O'Brian for July 20-22 I'm hoping for a character reset and the chance to play through the Sylvari and Asura starting zones. What better way to finish?
Next on the list is the fact that I've heard back from ArenaNet this week and can finally go ahead and publish a set of interviews I've been working on for many months. The two interviews are with Colin Johanson and Jon Peters and cover a huge array of topics specific to their expertise. We're going to be publishing those early next week so make sure you drop by; you won't want to miss them.
Over at GuildMag their third episode of Dynamically Spoken has gone live with the discussion all about how ArenaNet are making Guild Wars 2 the herald of next generation MMOG's.
Greibach has a post full of nostalgia that demonstrates how far Guild Wars has come. Demonstrating the original art right up to the launch confirmation trailer, its really quite something to see it all in one place.
I've not covered any content from Divinity's Reach for a while, but there's an interesting post from Entombed discussing niche traits. I expect many professions to undergo a 'trait-pass' from Jon Peters as he regularly admits that some are still placeholder.
GW2WvW have announced the winner of their PvP video content winner. Well done The Sparrows Journey!
Lastly, there's some excellent fan fiction from Kaysee over at Chronicles of Tyria that follows the adventures of Azalea the Sylvari.
Comments
I think niche traits are obviously a part of what made so many different 'niche builds' in Guild Wars 1 possible. Over the game's current lifespan, I would say that this has played out to its benefit. The playerbase needs a variety of tools to play with, to invent with. This has always been the case.
I was wondering where the interview went. Glad to see it's still a "go"
*fingers crossed* that we get a character wipe and see the asura and sylvari starting areas also... would be fantastic imo. It won't be too great a disappointment if it doesn't happen, but it would be nice.
I really enjoyed the nostalgia post at Greibach's Normal Form. An excellent blog in general.
Greibach's nostalgia post was lovely-brought back so many memories. I had played Deus Ex and Morrowind and sat around waiting and waiting when a friend said why not try Guild Wars which has just come out. Sure you will like exploring AND by the way you will be able to play with others on line. Oh no I'll be a total fool and mess peoples' pleasure. Don't worry and anyway you can play by yourself and just dip your toes in. Well I bought GW and it's been a joy over the last 6+ years. I know it will seem stupid but I remember I joined a PUG for FOW. The battles were breathless and after a successful outcome characters on screen began to swap feelings.Could not understand comment on sunrise from one and downpours from another! Players had come out of character and I had to call my wife to show her the characters on screen and say here I was at the table with keyboard etc x there was pressing buttons in Adelaide, y same but in Copenhagen, z was in Rotterdam and me here in England and yet we were side by side and had just slain a big boss.Oh the magic of the internet. Arena had brought a game with a community, friendly and helping hands and above all an adventure with challenge and FUN.
Like so many on hearing of GW2 began to wonder will it ever really get off the ground - so often exciting sounding projects somehow do remain little more than dreams and being over 72 I did begin to fear perhaps........! BUT it now looks as if it won't be too late after all and after magical exploration of Divinity during the BWE- couldn't stop myself trying to join conversations with townsfolk - August will be the best month of 2012!!
I hope the next BWE is several days long. I really never got out of any starting area or did any PvP. I am really leaning toward the Norn's though I just loved the race and area. However, I really want to see the other two races as well.
Its a simple world for complicated people