Guild Wars Mini-Interview #1

As part of a new weekly feature, ArenaNet has begun answering a small number of questions for Guild Wars fansites. The first installment is at RPGStars:

Q: ArenaNet have mentioned that players who do not have a particular expansion can be invited to play with friends in the new areas. Whilst this is an amazing idea and venture, what are the downsides for players without the expansion? What are they missing out on?

A: This is a great question, because it gives us a chance to clear up a misunderstanding that took place in an interview a month or so ago. Our focus has always been on allowing you to play with your friends in shared areas of the world. When you purchase the next chapter of Guild Wars, you will have access to new areas; those who don’t will not be able to go to those new areas, it’s that simple.

So, aside from not traveling to new areas, what else is a downside to not purchasing the next chapter? Well, you would be missing a ton of cool new content! You would be missing new regions, new professions, new skills, new items, new quests. maybe even new player races. When you stop and consider that the each new chapter will be comparable in size and depth to the first chapter, that’s a whole lot of new game to experience.

We know that some players will choose not to purchase a chapter, or may purchase some chapters and not others. It’s very important to state that such a choice will not place you at a gameplay disadvantage. You won’t lose your ability to compete, and the playing field will remain level. But when you purchase the next chapter, you will be able to develop a larger number of strategic choices by drawing from an arsenal that contains more skills, spells, attributes and abilities. You will not be strictly more powerful, but will have a greater range of combat options. In a nutshell, by purchasing the chapters, you will enjoy a richer story and deeper gameplay and combat experiences.