Guild Wars is celebrating three years online. In addition to player in-game perks, NCSoft and Arena.net are offering North Americans, with the exception of Quebec, a chance to win some very nice stuff.

The Grand prize, which I’m claiming now, is an Alienware Area-51 laptop. Five ATI Radeon HD  3870 512MB video cards are up for grabs for first prize winners. Three second prize winners walk away with Logitech G51 5.1 Speaker Systems. Third prize winners will snag a Logitech G9 gaming Mouse, Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card or a Logitech G15 keyboard. The article doesn’t mention how many of each of those thrird prizes are up for grabs.

No Purchase Necessary to enter or win. Sweepstakes begins April 28, 2008 and ends May 31, 2008. This sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada, 13 years of age or older at the time of entry. Void in Province of Quebec and where prohibited by law. For complete rules click here.

If you’re interested, and who’s not interested in free loot, get over to the Guild Wars website, take a short survey and sign up for your chance to win something.

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There’s an interview with Daniel Dociu whose distinctive art style is featured as concept art for Guild Wars. He’s found he enjoys working on video games because of the flexibility an artist have within the medium.

Dociu particular forte is architecture. As any player can see from the settings of Guild Wars and its expansions, Dociu is particularly influenced by many styles of architecture, and his work is quite eclectic.

I look back all the way to the dawn of mankind: to ruins, and Greek architecture, and Mycenean architecture, all the way up to the architecture of the Crusades, and castles in North Africa, and the Romanesque and Gothic and Baroque and Rococo – even to neo-Classical and art deco and Bauhaus and Modernist. I mean, there are bits and pieces here and there that make a strong impression on me, and I blend them – but that’s the beauty of games. You don’t have to be stylistically pure, or even coherent.

Incidentally, Daniel Dociu’s concept art and Simon Fowler’s photography were beautifully combined for use with Sarah Brightman’s latest release, “Symphony.” Dociu’s art is also used in the trailer for the CD. For more information, check out the Gaming Today article on the collaboration.

via BldgBlog

The second entry of a Mythos beta journal by an anonymous source is up on TenTonHammer. This free to play MMO is described as a mixture of World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Guild Wars.

The first journal entry focused on installation, character creation, graphics and UI. The second part goes into the multi-player aspects including partying and zone instances.

Flagship Studios’ Mythos MMO is currently in closed beta testing. The latest update, Zone 3 The Umbral Peaks, was released earlier this week. Mythos looks like it’s shaping up to be a good game for Diablo fans to follow closely.

via TenTonHammer

When I think of MMOs with Real Money Trading problems, Guild Wars isn’t the first one that springs to mind. However, popularity draws real money traders like blood in the water.

ArenaNet has issued a statement with its policy on RMT and why players should avoid the practice of trading their hard earned cash for virtual gold and items. Most of you should have heard this all before. In case you haven’t; here’s how these companies ruin the game for everyone.

Some of the damage is mere annoyance such as bots that spam general and trade channels. Farm bots devalue gold and items that legit players work hard to earn. The gamers that are most likely to be harmed by these companies are the players using their services. Potential users of a RMT service should be aware that the same companies you purchase your ill gotten gains from will likely turn around and steal your account and strip it of all your valuables, then use it to farm more gold and items for some other sucker.

Here’s what measures are being taken to protect the Guild Wars community:

• We identify and ban accounts—typically more than 5,000 per week—being used by real-money trading companies.
• We attempt to identify stolen accounts and return them to their rightful owners.
• Our GMs monitor the game around the clock so they can remove botters and spammers from the game, often within hours of account creation.
• When we detect a large amount of abuse from a single Internet address (IP address), we block that address from accessing the game.
• We block open proxies (open Internet servers which can relay traffic from anywhere in the world) from accessing the game.
• We identify players who purchase gold from real-money trading companies, and we suspend their accounts and remove the purchased gold. We also encourage these players to seek restitution from their credit card company. Real-money trading companies are not legally authorized to sell Guild Wars gold. They don’t own the gold — ArenaNet does. Credit card companies know this, so buyers of gold can generally call their credit card companies and get the charges removed.

The dangers to your account security and other personal information should be apparent, yet there are still enough gamers out there dealing with these traders to keep them in business. Some people never learn, or just don’t care.

via Guild Wars

The second part of the Guild Wars State of the Game series detailing the Midline Shutdown in competative GvG is now available. While part one concentrated on the role of the Mesmer, part two takes a look at the Ranger in this strategy.

Rangers serve three purposes in the midline:

Disruption: using the skills on your bar to interrupt key opposing skills at appropriate times.

Pressure: applied through spamming conditions, as well as controlling position and movement.

Skirmish: providing solid split capabilities, both offensively and defensively.

The build featured in this article is the “Cripshot” Ranger, currently the most popular choice for GvG.  The article coaches players on how to most effectively use this particular skill build to fulfill each of the three basic objectives. Get the full run down on the official ArenaNet Guild Wars website.

Guild Wars State of the Game has begun a series of articles on the midline shutdown in PvP. Part one of the series focuses on the role of Mesmers in the enabling the offense and defense to be more effective. The article covers the objectives and skill choices that will help with the removal or disruption of the opposing team’s offense or defense. Mesmer are key midline players a can effectively execute energy denial, disruption or skill shutdowns. They also excel at spike assistance and enchantment removal.

Catch the full details on Guild Wars.

NCsoft and ArenaNet are pleased to announced that the Guild Wars franchise has sold over 5 million units in North America, Europe, and Asia. Reaching this benchmark after just three years is something celebrate.

“Reaching five million mark is extremely gratifying for us at ArenaNet because it shows the hard work and dedication we put into our games has resonated with the fans,” said Mike O’Brien, co-founder of ArenaNet. “We are totally committed to supporting all of our Guild Wars players, and at the same time, we’re extremely excited to work on the game’s evolution. Certainly the future of Guild Wars is as bright as its past and present.”

The series consists of the original Guild Wars followed by expansions Factions and Nightfall and the sequel to the original Eye of the North. The companies are currently working on Guild Wars 2, which will be a more traditional MMO.

Personally, I like Guild Wars because of the current format. You purchase the game and play all you want. You can solo with an NPC party or adventure with a party of online friends. Our group plays LAN style bringing three or more computers into the same room. It’s no surprise to me that this series has done so well in such a short period of time.

via Press Release

The latest Guild Wars State of the Game Article focuses on frontline tactics for GvG play.

Frontline Synergy explores what makes for a good 8 team build in GvG. Teams often rely on pairing off for maximum effect and this piece homes in on tactics for a pair of Warriors working together. The writer explain the importance of play style, experience, communication and coordination in a superior two-Warrior frontline to maximize their potential killing power.

I really don’t get into PvP or GvG combat in MMOs. I prefer to play MMORPGs cooperatively with family and friends over a LAN. For those into hardcore competitive GvG play, this series of articles is one you shouldn’t miss. The State of the Game keeps players up on the changing dynamics of GvG builds as skills and other factors shift.

via ArenaNet

Now gamers can give the gift of an extra edge in combat to their favorite Guild Wars fan. ArenaNet and NCsoft are now offering the new special skill and item unlock packs at half off.

Whether you’re a PvE or a PvP gamer, you’ll find the new Skill and Item Unlock Packs hard to resist. The new Skill Unlock Packs provide access to basic and elite skills from all Guild Wars® games (the original campaign, Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North) for your use in PvP combat, and give your Heroes an advantage over your foes in PvE. The new PvP Item Unlock Pack provides hundreds of item upgrades to ensure that you go into combat with exactly the gear you want.

Players can cash in on the offer from Noon Pacific time (-8 GMT) November 15, 2007 to Noon Pacific time (-8 GMT) January 31, 2008.  For full details on available packs visit Guild Wars. There’s also a FAQ available.

As a holiday treat for Guild Wars fans who haven’t picked up Eye of the North yet, you’ll be able to try out the latest expansion, Eye of the North, free for five hours. Head to this page and grab the universal key, enter it while you’re in the Guild Wars client and you’ll have your free five hours.

If you held off on trying out GWEN because your character wasn’t level 20, that’s no longer a problem. A recent game update lowered the level requirement to level 10. Any character level 10-19 will be buffed so that it’s as strong as a level 20 while in Eye of the North territory.

Keep in mind you need to already own one of the three standalone Guild Wars campaigns to play GWEN; unlike prior Guild Wars, Eye of the North was an actual expansion.

And to top things off, a ten-day event starts today, December 7 and runs through December 16. Anyone playing GWEN will receive:

• 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.
• During the event, three special items will be added that can drop from all creatures in Eye of the North: Sparklers, Hunter’s Ale, and Honeycombs.

Get your free GWEN access key here.

The latest Guild Wars: State of the Game article explores balanced team-builds for Heroes’ Ascent.

The article details the difference between the goals of GvG confrontations and the Heroes’ Ascent battles where the objective changes with each new map. Learn the difference between gimmick builds designed to farm fame and balanced builds, such as the Legoway build, which are used to progress all the way to the Hall of Heroes.

via Guild Wars

ArenaNet’s Guild Wars State of the Game discusses the changes to competitive play resulting from the latest skill rebalance.

Casters with Heal Party run flags and help relieve pressure on the party without fear of an Assassin jumping on them. Monk backlines run Word of Healing. No, you haven’t stumbled upon another “remembering the past” article. This month, two significant skill balance updates shook up the metagame. So let’s take a quick look at some of the more immediate effects on PvP: Monk Skill Bars have changed dramatically, Assassins must re-evaluate how quickly they can take down enemies, and fewer teams will ask Necromancers to substitute for Monks.

The retro skills overhaul is causing teams to rethink their PvP strategies. Light of Deliverance, the most efficient and cheapest of the party heals has a new two second cast time causing teams to rebalance to compensate. The latest update also severely restricts the ability of Shadow Prison Assassins to insta-kill their targets.  Soul Reaping no longer triggers on the deaths of Spirits and the loss of exploitable pet corpses making Necromancer/Ritualist healers and minion masters rethink their strategies. as well. Hammer Rangers will also have a tougher time of it now that Energizing Wind costs more and has a much shorter duration.

All these changes discussed here focus on the negative effects they will have on particular builds and teams. The article doesn’t go into how the nerfs will benefit teams, although it says it obviously does. I suppose you could say that if you aren’t running one of the above builds. The article does also hint that Deadly Paradox Assassins and Avatar of Melandru Dervishes may be in for some changes in future updates.

via Guild Wars

Guild Wars fans can now find new gear over at the Penny Arcade Store. Redecorate with limited edition Guild Wars art. If you prefer to display your art personally, express your inner Charr with a new t-shirt or display the “Lovely Ladies of Tyria” close to your heart. Check out the new merchandise at the Penny Arcade Store.

via Press Release

The latest Guild Wars State of the Game article features ArenaNet’s Izzy and the Guild Wars Community’s Ensign talking about skill balance.

The October Skill Balance Update proved highly controversial and has been the topic of much discussion. Izzy and Ensign talk about skill balance from a PvP perspective. They evaluate where the current balance is now as opposed to what would be ideal. They also talk about Balance Updates coming regularly but too slowly. Ultimately players need to shake up their tactics to avoid the mirror matches that seem to dominate GvG competition these days.

Anyone who wants check out or leave input on contemplated balance changes should check out Izzy’s Wiki page to see what’s coming up.

via ArenaNet

The Guild Wars judges have made the very difficult decision of whom to award the grand prize for this year’s Guild Wars Halloween Art Contest. The winner is Koreena Anchalis who designed Guild Wars garb for her whole family. There are also 10 excellent entries declared winners; five each in the Art and Costume categories. Twenty entries received honorable mentions while another 70 are finalists

All the outstanding entries can be viewed on the Guild Wars web site.

Whether you celebrate Halloween, Samhain, Day of the Dead, or the Harvest Festival; autumn is a very magical, mystical time of year. Gaming Today looked into MMORPGs celebrating the holiday and were overwhelmed with the number of games with festivals and celebrations honoring this time of year.

We found events tend to fall into two categories; celebrations that occur in the game world and real time contests and promotions. Take a look at some of what MMOs are offering players this Halloween.

Read the full article

Guild Wars enthusiasts beware. The King of Madness is upon you once again as Tyria and Elona prepare for the Halloween season. The ghostly monarch will be haunting the Tyrian port of Lion’s Arch in the North Kryta Province and the Elonian port of Kamadan on Istan between Friday, October 26th, and the witching hour on All Hallows Eve (11:59 p.m. Pacific time on October 31st).

Mad King Thorn has a very cutting sense of humor. He may reward those unfortunate or foolish enough to encounter him with a quick death or rain ghastly gifts upon them. Players can expect:

• An all-new opportunity for fun and rewards opens this year with the Costume Brawl! Come to the party dressed as one of many famous Guild Wars characters and fight your way to rewards! Check out the Costume Brawl page for more information!
• A returning favorite, the wandering Teller of Tales, will once again delight audiences with his stories of woe in both Lion’s Arch and Kamadan.
• Peculiar collectors will set up shop in Lion’s Arch and Kamadan, peddling their spooky wares in exchange for various items.
• Two towns bedecked on holiday finery will greet you. Can you say “photo op?” Why, yes! You’ll find the perfect place for those special holiday snapshots among the holiday props set up in Kamadan!
• And if that’s not enough, there are whispers of additional treasures floating in the chilly, autumnal wind…

Unfortunately, it seems that unlike the Dragon Festival, many lower and mid level players will miss out on the fun of the Halloween Festivities if they haven’t discovered these ports yet. I guess the race is on to fill out those maps.

via Press Release

The clock is ticking and time is growing short to get in on the Guild Wars Bonus Mission Pack Offer. Qualified Players will receive four bonus missions that flesh out Guild Wars history.

• Earn unique rewards as you go face-to-face with Palawa Joko and his undead army at the Battle of Jahai.
• Fight for peace in Cantha against the backdrop of the violent Tengu Wars.
• Learn firsthand how the White Mantle rose to power in Kryta.
• Discover what became of Gwen after the Charr invaded her home and the Searing destroyed everything she’d ever known.

Eligible players have spent a total of $29 USD (€26/£17) or more in the Guild Wars In-Game Store or purchased and activated any product worth $29 USD (€26/£17) through the PlayNC online store, between Noon Pacific Time July 5, 2007 and Noon Pacific Time October 31, 2007. The Bonus Missions will be released sometime in November.
For further details, check out the Guild Wars: Bonus Mission Pack FAQ.

via Press Release

The last chapter in the Guild Wars State of the Game Split Tactics feature is up. Chapter four wraps up the series on split tactics and defense.

The guild halls examined in this final chapter all have quick routes between each team’s base. Typically, these routes are far removed from the flagstand, making splitting the only tactical option for maintaining control over them. These paths become key areas as well because control of them poses an immediate threat to the opposing base.

The article features the Frozen Isle, Isle of Jade, Isle of Dread and Nomad’s Isle to illustrate commonly used split tactics. It also tips players off about how to get the most out of teleporters. Get the full tactical briefing on Guild Wars.

In the PlayNC Dev Corner there’s a new developer diary up from Guild Wars 2 lead designer James Phinney.

Every great game starts with a simple question: What do we want to play next? If you aren’t passionate about the game you’re working on, it is already doomed to mediocrity. And the best way to make sure you’re passionate? Make something you want to play.

For the team at ArenaNet, the idea of making Guild Wars 2 started with a single conversation about all the things we wanted to do in the next Guild Wars campaign. Very quickly it became clear that we could move the game forward by leaps and bounds… but only if we were willing to rebuild it from the ground up.

Phinney talks about taking the core principles of what makes Guild Wars a great game and applying them to Guild Wars 2 with its persistent world and extensive character advancement.

When you look back honestly on a game you’ve made, there are always things you wish you could have done better. Could we create a stronger economy with better options for trading? Definitely. Could we address player concerns about the relationship between PvP and PvE? With a new system, yes. Could we give players more and better storage? Yes! The list goes on and on.

Read the full Dev Corner developer’s diary on PlayNC .