Guild Wars Launches in Three Continents

[GameBanshee News]

The full press release:

Guild Wars Launches Simultaneously in North America, Europe and Australia

Highly Anticipated Online Roleplaying Game on Retail Shelves Today

Bellevue, WASH., April 28, 2005—ArenaNet®, creators of the highly anticipated online roleplaying game Guild Wars®, and NCsoft® Corporation, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, today announced that Guild Wars is available at retail in North America, Europe and Australia.

Guild Wars is the ultimate global online RPG, a transporting experience that transcends the boundaries of geography, technology and language. Play with anyone, anywhere, at any time and there’s no subscription fee required. Guild Wars immerses players in a colorful, robust and detailed online fantasy world where success is determined by player skill, not by the time spent playing.

“By bringing together the best elements of action, roleplaying and massively multiplayer games we have created a unique gameplay experience that appeals to casual and core players alike,” Mike O’Brien, ArenaNet co-founder said. “Players throughout Europe, North America and Australia will now be able to compete in the Guild Wars world together."

Players must select eight of the more than 450 available skills to build competitive characters for each battle. Challenging gameplay forces players to use their heads and make good decisions in a brains-over-brawn battlefield. Dramatic guild challenges, tournament play and arena combat provide a unique game experience each time players log on.

Retailers across Europe and North America are anticipating impressive sales as Guild Wars enters the PC game marketplace. According to EB Games™, Guild Wars is one of the best-selling preorder PC games year-to-date in North America and European retailers are reporting equally impressive results.

More than 500,000 players participated in public preview events in the US and Europe. Those events culminated in an impressive showing at yesterday’s exclusive preview event, which granted players who preordered the game access to the Guild Wars world a full day before the official launch.

Guild Wars is now available at most major North American computer game retail outlets at an estimated retail price of US$49.99. No monthly subscription fee is required. A special Collector’s Edition featuring a hard-cover art book, Internet chat headset, Guild Wars soundtrack CD and other items will be available for an estimated retail price of US$79.99. An exclusive strategy guide is available for purchase at www.primagames.com. The game is rated Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.


About ArenaNet

ArenaNet, located in Bellevue, Washington, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NCsoft and was founded by some of the key members of the creative teams that developed the hit game series StarCraft, Warcraft, and Diablo as well as Battle.net. ArenaNet has built a state-of-the-art, interactive game network and is developing premier multiplayer online games for dedicated game players. More information about ArenaNet can be found at www.arena.net.

About NCsoft North America

NCsoft - North America (NC-NA) is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is part of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation. NC-NA, with development and administrative offices in Texas and California, launched two ground-breaking titles in the first half of 2004, Lineage® II and City of Heroes®. The company also works with NCsoft subsidiaries and third party developers throughout North America to develop and publish innovative online entertainment software products. More information about NCsoft – North America can be found at http://www.PlayNC.com.