Guild Wars 2, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by ArenaNet and follow-up to the 2005 MMO hit Guild Wars, is set to release on Tuesday Aug. 28, for the PC. But gamers who register can play the game early.
Players who pre-purchase the game before Saturday can get access to its "Head Start" program and can play the new title before all of their friends on the game's official release date.
The makers of Guild Wars 2 claim that the game will be unique in the MMO genre because it features a storyline that is influenced by the player actions. This is a feature that is common amongst single player role-playing games, but is often lacking in large multiplayer games.
In an interview with The Washington Post, the game's lead producer, Chris Whiteside, and publisher NCsoft's executive vice president of publishing, Matt Turetzky, said that the Guild Wars 2 will be refreshing take on the genre.
The game makers are looking to provide an innovative approach to MMO's for those gamers who have grown tired of other games in the genre.
"Our game is much more wide than it is tall, "Whiteside said. "It's designed to be dynamically accessible," he said. "So if someone turns up, it doesn't negatively affect the experience, like how the enemies will behave."
Gamers can also expected a stronger combat system, which aims to be more vigorous and exciting than its predecessor. The game will allow player to use the environment as a weapon.
Guild Wars 2 will have a less complex Magic-style skill system than the original game, in hopes of make the game more accessible to causal gamers. The game will also have no monthly fees.
Another thing the developers hope to accomplish with Guild Wars 2 is creating a unique social environment for gamers that will keep them playing the game and interacting with their friends for a long time.
"The game encourages people to come together," Turetzky said in the Washington Post interview. "We want people to come in and experience our world."
What do you think will Guild Wars 2 revive the sinking genre of MMOs? Sound off in the comment section below.
Watch the Guild Wars 2 trailer below...