GuildWars.com news/Archives/200704

The following lists the April 2007 news from the official GuildWars.com site.

April 30th, 2007

 * State of the Game: Top Observations

The newest of our weekly editorials on Guild Wars PvP presents an in-depth look at the team configuration used during a recent match by one of the top guilds, and then offers an analysis of the build with a discussion of the various players' skill choices. Find it all here.


 * Birthday Celebration Extended

The Guild Wars Second Birthday Celebration was just too much fun to confine to the weekend, and so we have decided to extend it to include an additional day. Party in the Shing Jea Boardwalk, gather birthday cupcakes, participate in Rollerbeetle Racing, and test your mettle in the Dragon Arena through 11:59 PM Pacific on Monday, April 30th.

April 27th, 2007

 * Guild Wars 2 on GameSpy

Catch an interview with several key team members in a new Guild Wars 2 preview on GameSpy. You'll learn the thinking behind a changed level cap, gain insight into expanded social opportunities, and get early details on new PvP opportunities-plus enjoy several new images-in '''today’s preview.

EU News

 * NCsoft Europe On Tour, May 2007!

The NCsoft Europe community team is hitting the road and wants you to join them. Come and meet members of the community team at Collectormania 11 on May 4th and 5th in Milton Keynes, and the Bristol Comic Expo on May 12th and 13th. On offer will be some free swag and copies of NCsoft games at bargain prices; perhaps even some of the coveted Collector's Editions.

Collectormania will feature a long guest list of television stars as well as our own Rockjaw, who will be keenly awaiting your questions and thoughts about our games. The following weekend at the Bristol Comic Con Rockjaw will be joined by Bridger and Amboss, as well as the very talented Draw the World Together comic artist team. Artists including Andrew Wildman, Mike Collins, and others will be eager to produce an original sketch of your character in return for a donation to charity. To be sure of having your character sketched, please bring screenshots of your character either printed out (colour) or on a CD/DVD.

For further information about these two events, be sure to check their websites: Collectormania 11 and Bristol Comic Expo.

April 25th, 2007

 * Guild Wars: Second Birthday Celebration

Saturday is a dual birthday for Guild Wars: It is the second birthday of Prophecies and the first birthday of Factions. This Friday we are kicking off a weekend of celebration, with fun activities for all, a special event item, and the unveiling of the 2nd birthday gift for those characters turning two on April 28th. Catch the details on the events page and enjoy all the fun starting at Noon Pacific on Friday, April 27th and running through 11:59 PM Pacific on Sunday, April 29th.


 * The Scribe: Party Planned; Details Disclosed

The Scribe has gotten wind of a special mini-event that occurs this week, and he shares information about it in his latest news scroll. Read about activities and treats associated with a day of significance for all of Guild Wars, and meet a few more special players, as well. Be sure to get your copy of The Scribe #39.

April 24th, 2007

 * Guild of the Week: NiX

With roots in gaming that extend back to 1999, the Phoenix Inquisition maintains a focus on family and unity that the members consider the foundation of their success. Read about them today in this week's Guild of the Week feature.

April 23rd, 2007

 * State of the Game: The Monk's Toolbox

Get caught up on the Monk's role in the current metagame in this week's State of the Game article. You can read up on elite skill choices and rationale, scan a few notes on skill usage, and review a discussion of how defense is spread throughout a team. Find the newest SotG here.

EU News

 * Guild Wars Tournament at the RPC in Münster

This weekend, the Semi-Finals and Finals of the Wartower Spring Cup will be held on a big stage at the Role Playing Convention in Münster. Razer has partnered with NCsoft Europe to provide great prizes for the tournament. Be there and watch the matches live, or check them out on Observer Mode.

April 19th, 2007

 * Experience Hard Mode!

Your Guild Wars options have just grown by leaps and bounds with today's introduction of Guild Wars Hard mode. Hard mode allows your characters to play through missions and quests at a higher level of difficulty. With success in Hard mode, you'll acquire new titles, achieve increased title ranks, reap greater rewards, and obtain many new items. Find out more on the Update Notes or on the Hard Mode Fact Sheet and jump into Hard Mode now!
 * Gather Your Prizes

If you participated in the Xunlai Tournament House prediction opportunity involving the recent Celestial Tournament, now is the time to visit your friendly Xunlai Tournament Agent to retrieve your prize or prizes. Congratulations to the thousands who took part in the fun. We look forward to more prize-giving in the future.


 * Hard Facts about Hard Mode

Within a matter of hours, Guild Wars players will be able to participate in a whole new challenge: Guild Wars in Hard mode! We thought you'd enjoy a little preview of this exciting update, so check out the Hard Mode Fact Sheet for a sampling of some of the many cool new elements that this update will add to the game.

April 17th, 2007

 * Double Sunspear & Lightbringer Points

This weekend you will receive double Sunspear and Lightbringer points in both Hard mode and regular gameplay. Check in with the appropriate resurrection shrine NPC to obtain the bounty, and double up on the rewards from Noon Pacific on Friday, April 20, through 11:59 PM Pacific on Sunday, April 22.


 * Guild Wars: Eye of the North on GameSpot

Catch the latest interview with the Guild Wars Dev Team on the subject of the upcoming expansion pack, Guild Wars: Eye of the North. Dive into the Q&A, and see new screenshots, here.


 * Guild of the Week: LaZy

In less than ten months, the LaZy alliance has grown from one guild to eight, and from a handful of members to a roster that includes nearly four hundred Guild Wars players. Trace the original guild's history from Insert Witty Guild Name Here to Clandestiny of Solitude in this week's GotW.

April 16th, 2007

 * State of the Game: Collapsing Guild Hall Tactics

Our competitive article series this week covers the tactic of "collapsing" on an opponent in split maneuvers that take advantage of the different guild hall configurations and features. Read about it here.

April 13th, 2007

 * Tournament Agent Coming Soon

The Xunlai Tournament Agent is expected to arrive in town next week. At that time, he will be delivering the special prizes due to those who made correct Celestial Tournament predictions through the Xunlai Tournament House. Look for a news post with more info soon.


 * GWW Reaches 5,000 Articles

We've been tracking the activity on the Guild Wars Wiki, and the article count has now reached 5,000! For those who love statistics: The total page count is close to 17,000, and the page views number more than 16 million so far. Congratulations to Dirigible, the contributor who provided that momentous 5,000th article, and a hearty thanks to all those who have made a contribution. Everyone at ArenaNet is thrilled with the success of the GWW, and we are looking forward to calling out others in the future who help with this splendid and growing player resource.

April 10th, 2007

 * Hero Battles bring Double Rewards

During the coming weekend, you'll receive double Balthazar faction per point scored, and double Balthazar faction for each victory in all Hero Battles (1v1). The double rewards will be offered from Noon Pacific on Friday, April 13 through 11:59 PM Pacific on Sunday, April 14.

April 4th, 2007

 * Guild Wars, Russian Style

We're pleased to announce that starting April 19th, Guild Wars players will note an expanded language option that includes the Russian language. This brings to eleven the total number of languages in which Guild Wars is presented. We wish to extend a hearty "welcome" to all those who are joining us from Russia.


 * The Scribe: Rabbit Tales & Storage News

Our wandering writer sends word this week of news that is sure to please all citizens, be they Tyrian, Canthan, or Elonian. He also recounts an intriguing hint of weekend gifts that was passed along by an unlikely source while he maintains the tradition of call-outs to the good and generous. Read it all in this week's news scroll.

EU news
 * Guild Wars Language Support Grows

In a recent press release, NCsoft Europe and ArenaNet have announced that Russian language support for Guild Wars will be available from April 19th for Prophecies, with Factions and Nightfall to follow in May.

April 3rd, 2007

 * Match Report: CT Finals

The final games of the Celestial Tournament involved a face-off between two powerhouse guilds: Esoteric Warriors and Team Everfrost. Read about their three-game match, and check out details of their builds and skill use in the CT Finals Match Report.


 * Celestial Tournament Wrap-Up

With the conclusion of the Celestial Tournament, it's time to take a look back at all that took place during this largest Guild Wars competitive event ever. You can read about the finals, check out the full list of prizes, and learn how this tournament will influence the future, in the Celestial Tournament Wrap-Up.


 * Guild of the Week: Black Parades

Black Parades is a PvP guild that focuses mainly on combat within Heroes’ Ascent. The guild keeps an eye on the metagame while stretching the limits of innovation using a wide range of builds. Read about the guild here.

April 2nd, 2007

 * State of the Game: Countering The Metagame

Trends play a major role in PvP gameplay, and the ability to create new builds or to recognize and address the current favorites is a key element of PvP success. Get some great advice on countering the metagame in this week's State of the Game article.

April 1st, 2007

 * Celestial Tournament Winners: Team Everfrost

The Celestial Tournament has come to an end, and the winner is Team Everfrost in a three-game match. Thanks to all the guilds who took place in the tourney, and congratulations to Team Everfrost. You can read the results of each level of competition, plus view the final charts, here. We’ll have match reports for you Monday or Tuesday, and information about upcoming competitive events via the automated tournament system very soon.