This past week, NCSOFT and ArenaNet held a special event for Guild Wars 2. During their live event, they revealed some hot news for all fans of the still fairly popular MMORPG. First off is word that the Heart of Thorns expansion for Guild Wars 2 is free to everyone that owns or purchases Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire.
Heart of Thorns was the game's first expansion. If you already owned Heart of Thorns, you will get a Veteran's Pack of in-game items. This pack includes a unique Mordrem glider, the "Vanguard" title, and a voucher for one of sixteen possible gem store armor skins.
The bigger news at the event, and the focus of the event itself, is the announcement of The Icebrood Saga, an all-new series of episodic content planned for Guild Wars 2. There is a new ancient power that is starting to wake up under the Far Shiverpeak mountains. The Icebrood Saga will add new locations, new battles, new gear, and new story to Guild Wars 2 starting on September 17. This date marks the day that the prologue episode, Bound by Blood, will be released.
Of course, the new Living World season will again be free if you own Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire. The first episode will be released this Fall.
The Icebrood Saga marks the beginning of a new adventure in Guild Wars 2’s storyline. It is a time of tentative celebration for all the races of Tyria in the wake of the Elder Dragon Kralkatorrik’s heroic defeat by the members of Dragon’s Watch. But whispers from the Northern Shiverpeaks tell tales of ancient forces stirring from their slumber. While the Sons of Svanir—a renegade cult of norn who have turned away from worshipping the Spirits of the Wild—devote themselves to the elder ice dragon Jormag, stories of the dragon’s strength and virtues begin to spread alongside its corrupting influence.
The Icebrood Saga will introduce a wealth of new features, including Strike Missions, which are epic 10-man boss encounters that combine the group coordination skills of raids with the large-scale conflict of a Guild Wars 2 meta event. New boss creatures will also populate the environments of Grothmar Valley and the Northern Shiverpeaks, including the ominous, newly-awakened Drakkar first seen in the original Guild Wars, while new Masteries will be available in Episode One and Episode Two that will explore the history and influence of the Spirits of the Wild, the mystic animal deities of the norn.
The Icebrood Saga will introduce a wealth of new features, including Strike Missions, which are epic 10-man boss encounters that combine the group coordination skills of raids with the large-scale conflict of a Guild Wars 2 meta event. New boss creatures will also populate the environments of Grothmar Valley and the Northern Shiverpeaks, including the ominous, newly-awakened Drakkar first seen in the original Guild Wars, while new Masteries will be available in Episode One and Episode Two that will explore the history and influence of the Spirits of the Wild, the mystic animal deities of the norn.
- A 20th anniversary art book in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics. Launching in the spring of 2020, the art book will feature an expansive collection of never-before-seen concept art, production material, and creator commentary from the Guild Wars franchise
- Guild Wars 2 Funko Pop! figures featuring fan-favorite characters. Aurene, Palawa Joko, and Rytlock Brimstone will be available beginning January 2020
- New Guild Wars 2-inspired apparel from Hot Topic and Insert Coin. The clothing range features new t-shirt and hoodie designs
- New Guild Wars 2 mouse pads and phone cases from Razer
- A music streaming partnership with global entertainment and streaming service TIDAL that makes the original musical scores of Path of Fire, Heart of Thorns, and Living World seasons two, three, and four available for listening across the TIDAL platform.
