While the MMORPG studio ArenaNet has continued to support its defining game, Guild Wars 2, it’s been 14 years since its release. Leaving players to wonder what’s next. During the Summer Game Fest Live Showcase, we finally got our answers. Guild Wars 3 is coming next year, in 2027, and for the first time, the franchise will be playable on consoles.
During the showcase, ArenaNet didn’t just show a trailer with cinematics; it featured gameplay footage for players to take in. “Guild Wars 3 is a new era not just for ArenaNet and Guild Wars, but also for MMORPGs as a whole,” said Colin Johanson, Guild Wars 3 Game Director and ArenaNet Studio Head, in a release to press.
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“The MMORPG genre has millions of players worldwide eager for new, modern experiences, and the opportunity to harness that excitement is immense. Our approach with Guild Wars 3 is to push MMORPGs forward, to create an online game world that feels believable, rewarding, responsive, and innovative while at the same time respecting players’ time and providing a positive, supportive space to build community and enjoy new stories in our universe.”
What do we know about Guild Wars 3?
ArenaNet’s first new game in 12 years, Guild Wars 3, is the third direct entry in the decades-old franchise. The game will launch globally on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, marking the first time a Guild Wars game has appeared on home consoles. The first beta test is scheduled for the fall of 2027.
Official Guild Wars Synopsis:
Taking place over a thousand years before the events of the original game, Guild Wars 3 is set in the Tyrian region of Orr, a vast wilderness frontier imbued with the world’s magic. Nature entities with strong connections to the land, called Vael spirits, embody the vitality of this lush, verdant landscape. Various guilds are engaged in conflict over how to protect or exploit the bounty beyond civilization’s borders.
These multitudinous spirits will vary in size and influence across the ecosystems around them, with the most notable among them being the Seeker. As seen in the trailer, every player’s Seeker will serve as a connection to the spirits of Orr and a mount that will carry them on their journeys through the game’s open world.
Watch the Trailer
Guild Wars 3 | Announcement Trailer
Explore Tyria like never before in Guild Wars 3, an action-adventure MMORPG and modern evolution of the genre. Play solo or form a band of adventurers, forging impactful and enduring bonds with fellow players, a formative cast of memorable NPCs, and the nature spirits that call Orr home.
In the release, ArenaNet shared that players would play as a Vaelwarden, a member of a guild of adventurers committed to preserving and protecting both the spirits of the wild and the land of Orr itself. The game’s core gameplay loop will focus on offering players deep character customization and skill-building that echo why people fell in love with the franchise. Which, of course, includes a wide open world.
Additionally, we learned that the combat system has been designed from the outset to feel great on both a controller and keyboard, rewarding positioning by emphasizing the joy of movement and momentum. The combat also focuses on movement. With Areana saying, “As players seamlessly transition between various movement modes, they can harness their speed and turn it into bigger damage and impact when fighting their foes.”
Will Guild Wars 3 need a subscription?
As of right now, we don’t have the details on whether there will be a subscription or not for this MMO. More information about pricing, beta tests, release date, and gameplay features will be revealed later in 2026 and into 2027.
What is the release date?
There is no current release date set for the game; we have been given a wide release window for 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available directly from the developers at GuildWars3.com, and can be wishlisted on Steam and the PlayStation Store beginning today, with more information available at the game’s official website.
