The headstart for Guild Wars 2 kicks off tonight at roughly 12:00am PT, possibly even up to three hours earlier according to ArenaNet. At that time pre-order customers will get to login and start playing their new characters for the upcoming official launch on August 28th and in the latest press release, ArenaNet explains why they think players are eager for launch.

The release names off the high points of Guild Wars 2 content from dynamic events to personal story to the World vs World PvP combat. “Guild Wars 2 is launching at a time when players are looking for something different in an MMO: a game that offers them an innovative and unique experience without a monthly subscription,” said Mike O’Brien, president and co-founder of ArenaNet.  “Guild Wars 2 is that game, and we believe it will fundamentally change the way people think about online RPGs.”

If you’re looking to take part in tonight’s headstart for Guild Wars 2, make sure you pre-order your copy and download the client. Previous players of the original Guild Wars can also link their accounts to gain rewards from the Hall of Monuments in the Eye of the North expansion.

Video Gamers Eager for the Launch of Guild Wars 2®

Highly Anticipated Game Re-Imagines the MMO, Ships with No Subscription

SEATTLE – August 24, 2012: NCsoft®, the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) and ArenaNet, developer of the renowned Guild Wars franchise, are ready to unleash Guild Wars 2 to millions of eagerly awaiting fans around the world on August 28. Eager fans who pre-purchased the game can log-in on August 25 as part of the Headstart Program, which allows them to experience the game’s groundbreaking dynamic event system, action-oriented combat and meaningful personal story lines three-days early.

“Five years ago we set out to develop a game that finally fulfilled the promise of online worlds,” said Mike O’Brien, president and co-founder of ArenaNet. “We questioned everything that had previously been taken for granted and we never settled for ‘good enough.’ Now, we’re finally ready to introduce Guild Wars 2 to gamers who are looking for the next evolution in online gaming.”

Guild Wars 2 offers players

• Dynamic Events: Guild Wars 2 is a living, breathing world where events occur naturally and in response to players’ actions. This system fosters cooperation between players—everyone who participates is rewarded, and players begin to naturally cooperate instead of compete.
• Personal Stories: Your deeply customized personal story begins when you first create your character, then twists and turns with each fateful decision you make.
• Action-Oriented Combat: Guild Wars 2 is an action game at heart. Survival in combat is based on timing, skill, and movement. Well-timed dodges or combo attacks are integral to any battle. Guild Wars 2 rethinks the outdated class restrictions of other games, giving players the tools and skills they need to play with friends regardless of their class.
• Player vs. Player and World vs. World: Competitive multiplayer in Guild Wars 2 consists of two exciting modes. PvP serves up intense small-unit combat that focuses on skill and strategy, not gear. WvW pits entire servers of players against each other in a two-week-long war on a series of huge maps.

“Guild Wars 2 is launching at a time when players are looking for something different in an MMO: a game that offers them an innovative and unique experience without a monthly subscription,” said O’Brien. “Guild Wars 2 is that game, and we believe it will fundamentally change the way people think about online RPGs.”

For more information on the game and to purchase Guild Wars 2, visit www.guildwars2.com.

About NCsoft

NCsoft, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, is the world's premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games, including the critically acclaimed Aion®, Lineage®, Guild Wars® and City of Heroes® franchises. NCsoft West is a division of NCsoft that holds operating responsibilities for North America, Europe, South America, and Australia/New Zealand. More information can be found at www.ncsoft.com.

About Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars® 2 is a visually stunning MMO that will offer players the epic grandeur of a massive role playing environment combined with innovative combat mechanics, dynamic events, and customised personal storytelling. Building on the success of Guild Wars, NCsoft and game developer ArenaNet™ are creating an MMO that lets gamers play the way they want, while at the same time retaining the no-subscription-fee business model that made the original Guild Wars so popular. For more information about Guild Wars 2, visit www.GuildWars2.com.

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