The gaming developer ArenaNet produced a big windfall for themselves in spring of 2005 when they released Guild Wars. The online game was very well received and successful, so of course there were hints of a sequel. Despite an announcement in 2007, there is still no official Guild Wars 2 release date though it has finally gone through a testing phase.
The much-anticipated sequel was announced to go into production in 2007. It was known that this would be a lengthy process but even the most patient of fans could not guess just how long the process would take. The development phase would take much longer than usual even after designers settled on what aspects to keep and which to make new in the sequel.
After those questions are answered there is the actual coding and graphics that need to be done. In today’s competitive gaming marketplace, these things can not be overlooked. If the graphics are shoddy nobody will buy the game. Therefore, this phase takes a long time as well.
The next phase of the process is a testing phase. This is very important because no programming is without quirks and errors that can only be found by playing it. With a testing phase, these problems can be fixed therefore making a perfect final product that won’t get bad reviews for having bugs in it.
In 2008, ArenaNet announced the initial Alpha testing phase. This was abandoned in favor of more development and a new testing variation that would better serve their needs. The stockholders and fans of the original were not happy about this as the delays kept coming. It wouldn’t be until August of 2010 that a demo would be available to gamer conventions so fans could get a sneak peek.
Finally, a series of closed Alpha testing took place in 2011. Encouraged, ArenaNet then announced a Beta testing phase that would also be closed. No announcement of an actual release date was given at the time but the progress was at least encouraging. All anyone knew was that it would be out sometime in 2012.
A few members of the gaming community and media types who report on the community were invited in February 2012 to see the game in a private session. In March and April of 2012 those sessions would be expanded to include more press and gaming influencers.
A few details about the game began to leak. The biggest one was that the sequel would employ the same one-time download of stories and packs instead of a flat monthly fee like so many other online games use. This was a very popular decision because that feature of the original was what many gamers loved about it. Flat fees are generally more pricey than one-time occasional downloads.
Though there is still no exact day, the fact the game is ready for public testing means that an announcement should be imminent. After five long years or development, production, delays and cancellations, it likes like sometime in 2012 will finally be the Guild Wars 2 release date.
To find out more about the highly anticipated Guild Wars 2 Release Date, be sure to check my website! Click here!