GuildWars.com news/Archives/200703

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

March 31st, 2007

 * Celestial Tournament Playoffs Running

Did you get your Xunlai Tournament House predictions in? See how our writers predicted the tournament would end and then watch the actual results as they come in.

March 28th, 2007

 * Celestial Tournament Moves to Playoffs

The final Swiss round results and the standings at the end of eight rounds of Swiss play are now available. As you know, the top 16 guilds from the Swiss competition move on to the playoffs this weekend and the teams are now listed in the Xunlai Tournament House, awaiting your predictions. The playoff pairings will be posted soon.


 * Official Guild Wars Wiki Opens

After a few weeks of early preparation, we're now eager to throw open the doors of the official Guild Wars Wiki. We invite you to join the GWW community and help us create a wonderful resource for Guild Wars players—now and into the future. Set up a user page. Edit an article. Create a new skin or upload images to flesh out one of the articles. Whatever your level of expertise, you have a contribution to make on the GWW! And if you'd rather simply use the GWW as a resource, you’re very welcome, too. Dive into the Guild Wars Wiki through the main page, found here.
 * Contest Entries Due

Be sure you get those final touches on your weapon, focus item, or shield design and get it into the mail by 6:00 p.m. (local time zone) on Friday, March 30. The judging begins soon, and we are looking forward to adding your entry or entries to the exceptional designs already in hand. You can get more information, and locate the closest mailing address, on the contest page.

March 27th, 2007

 * Guild Wars: Eye of the North

Return to Tyria and explore its mysterious depths in the upcoming Guild Wars expansion pack, Guild Wars: Eye of the North. There is danger in the dungeons beneath the Shiverpeak Mountains, and exciting challenges and outstanding rewards will greet those who venture there. Read today's press release for more information.


 * Pair of Guild Wars Interviews

Two key gaming sites have posted interviews about Guild Wars: Eye of the North and Guild Wars 2. Check out the following:


 * Kotaku
 * Wired.com

For the full story, see PC Gamer Magazine, Issue 161 (May 2007) on shelves April 3rd.


 * Heroes' Ascent: Changes & Bonuses

On Friday, March 30th, Heroes' Ascent will become an 8v8 battleground once again. This permanent change will be celebrated with a special weekend offering double fame and double faction. It all begins at Noon PDT on Friday, and the special bonuses will end at 11:59 PDT on Sunday, April 1.
 * Guild of the Week: DGOH

Founded in the days immediately following the release of the Prophecies campaign, this week's featured guild is a Dutch-speaking group of about 70 players who fully take advantage of the diverse range of Guild Wars gameplay options. Meet the Dutch Guild of Honor in the newest GotW article.

March 26th, 2007

 * Celestial Tournament News

We have lots of info for you about the Celestial Tournament. You can read up on the 7th Round Results, check out the 8th Round Pairings, and get the latest in the overall standings, as well. As you know, we're moving into the 8th Round this weekend - Best of luck to all the guilds!
 * State of the Game: Analyzing Melee Professions

Our competitive reporter takes a look a front-line fighters in this week's State of the Game article. The feature includes sections on the Warrior, Assassin, and Dervish, and delves into specific means to counter melee opponents.

March 20th, 2007

 * Tournament Updates

You can find updates on the results of Rounds 5 and 6, and check out the Round 7 pairings, on the Celestial Tournament Page. In a few hours, we'll update the page to show the aggregate guild standings after six rounds of competitive play, as well.
 * FoW and UW Access Weekend

Players who have been looking towards The Fissure of Woe or The Underworld with an eye to its challenging gameplay and special loot will be pleased to note that this weekend offers free and open access to both areas. All statues of Grenth and Balthazar located within outposts will be active for characters who are qualified to enter these areas. Access will be at no cost, and will not be tied to a territory holding the Favor of the Gods. This free access will begin at Noon PDT on Friday, and end at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday night.
 * Guild of the Week: SoT

Read this week's Guild of the Week article to meet a trans-global group of players whose guild focuses on exploration as well as mission and quest completion. Find out about the Scouts of Tyria here.

March 19th, 2007

 * Xunlai Tournament House Reopens

The Xunlai sponsor a system that allows you to make predictions about the outcome of big competitions, such as the upcoming Celestial Tournament Playoffs. All you do is predict the results of the upcoming tournament and then cheer your favorite guilds to victory. If your predictions are correct, you will win great prizes! The Xunlai Tournament House will accept your predictions starting March 28 at 5 p.m. PST (March 29 Midnight GMT) through March 31 at 8:00 a.m. PST (15:00 GMT). Make your predictions and then watch the Celestial Tournament playoffs to see if you’ve won!


 * State of the Game: In Hindsight

This week's editorial takes a look back at character builds and skill sets and how they have come and gone over the last many months. Remember Boon Monks? How about ganking with Grenth's Balance? Check out this week's SotG for more metagame memories.

March 15th, 2007

 * The Scribe: A Bit o' Weekend News

Our roaming reporter sends a fresh news scroll with information and images pointing towards some special doings this weekend, and with his trademark notations of kindly citizens from all walks of life. Find it all in Issue #36 of The Scribe.


 * Celestial Tournament: Latest Results

Get a look at the Round 6th tourney match-ups now, and check back later to find out how your favorite guilds did in the 5th Round of the Celestial Tournament. Round 6 begins right away and concludes later Sunday evening, Pacific Time.

March 14th, 2007

 * PvP Primer: Final Chapter

The PvP Primer wraps up this week with its final chapter, Leaving the Nest. This article provides a summary of the series and lists resources that will help players acquire additional information about PvP play. Find it here.

March 13th, 2007

 * Lucky Weekend Planned

Starting at Noon PST on Friday, March 16, PvP players will earn double Faction and Gladiator Points in Arenas. Plus, with a bit o' luck, PvE players may find a unique drop or two in missions and explorable areas. These opportunities will run through 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, March 18.
 * Guild of the Week: FFs

Team Flamingo has stepped into the spotlight for this week's team feature. This group mixes a wacky sense of humor with a deadly serious style of GvG gameplay. Read about them here.

March 12th, 2007

 * State of the Game: Basic Ganking

The newest State of the Game article is subtitled "Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat: Basic Ganking." It outlines the purpose and the processes used by a split team during a GvG match, and provides details on common components of a split team, how teams deal with opposing defense, and some of the factors that lead to a "gank race." Check it out here.

March 9th, 2007

 * Interview with Guild Wars Art Director

Guild Wars Art Director Daniel Dociu was recently presented a Gold Award in the prestigious Spectrum fantasy art competition. You can read an interview with Daniel, and view some of his award-winning art, in today's interview.

March 8th, 2007

 * Celestial Tournament Enters Round 5

We've updated the Celestial Tournament section today with new information, including formal results for Round 3 and Round 4, along with the pairings for Round 5. Round 5 will conclude Monday, March 12, at 1:00 p.m. PST (20:00 GMT).

March 6th, 2007

 * Exclusive Asura Miniature Revealed!

Players will get the opportunity to adopt a brand new, exclusive miniature, the Asura, by purchasing a copy of selected game magazines in North America and Europe. We've managed to capture an image of one of these elusive little creatures, and you can check it out here. The list of regional publications, and their shelf dates, is available here. Several of our media partners will be running more than one feature about Guild Wars, so we will expand the regional publication list to provide additional details as they become available.


 * Heroic Weekend Ongoing

Bring your Heroes or recruit new ones this weekend, for they will get double XP while they are below you in level. Plus, you will have double the chance of acquiring Hero armor upgrade pieces in Dajkah Inlet, Remains of Sahlahja, The Shadow Nexus, and Gate of Anguish. The event will run from Noon on Friday, March 9 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.


 * Guild of the Week: LJ

We're looking towards Europe for this week's featured Guild, and specifically to Limburgse Jagers, a Dutch and Belgian guild. Meet the guild members and read a few of their suggested PvE builds in the new article.

March 5th, 2007

 * Guild Wars Contest FAQ

If you have questions about Guild Wars contests, you should check out our new Guild Wars Contest FAQ. There, you'll find information on eligibility, age requirements, and number of entry restrictions, too. Check out the FAQ!


 * State of the Game: Tourney Insight

Take a look at this week's SotG article for coverage of the Celestial Tournament, including a preliminary comparison of some tournament builds versus those more commonly seen in the metagame, along with scheduling, team match-ups, and automated tournaments.