Frequently asked questions
Is Guild Wars 2 shutting down?
No. ArenaNet has said nothing about ending Guild Wars 2, and it was still shipping content when Guild Wars 3 was announced. A sequel announcement is not a shutdown notice. The original Guild Wars is still running twenty years on, and in fact relaunched as Guild Wars Reforged in December 2025.
Do I need to play Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2 first?
No. Guild Wars 3 is set more than a thousand years before both, so it is the earliest point in the timeline rather than a continuation. Knowing the older games changes what the setting means, because you know how Orr ends, but nothing about the plot requires them.
Is there a subscription?
No. ArenaNet committed to no subscription fees and no pay-to-win in its philosophy post: you buy the game, and expansions are sold separately. See the fact sheet for the exact wording.
Can I sign up for the beta?
Yes. Newsletter registration offers a chance to join the beta targeted for autumn 2027. Registration does not guarantee access. Details on the beta page.
What classes are there?
None have been revealed. Guild Wars calls them professions, and ArenaNet has not announced a single one.
What species can I play?
Four, three of them announced: humans, asura, and kodan, playable for the first time in the franchise. The fourth is deliberately unrevealed. Species carry no stat differences. Full detail in the species article.
Is it on console?
PlayStation 5 and PC are confirmed. No Xbox or Switch announcement.
When does it come out?
No release date. Beta is targeted for autumn 2027, which makes a launch before 2028 unlikely. Anything more specific is speculation.