Guild Wars 3 is ‘significantly more’ of an MMO than the first game, but that doesn’t mean it’s like GW2: ‘All three of our games can coexist as different experiences’
June 19, 2026
Understanding the Evolution of Guild Wars
Guild Wars 2 stands as a prominent title in the realm of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), yet its lineage traces back to a predecessor that blurs the lines of the genre. The original Guild Wars, while boasting a vast array of character classes and playful emotes, is more accurately described as a mission-based action role-playing game (ARPG) with shared town hubs. This unique structure gives it an MMO-like feel, despite its distinct gameplay mechanics.
With the recent announcement of Guild Wars 3, the gaming community is left pondering a pivotal question: will this new installment embrace the MMO format? ArenaNet’s studio head, Colin Johanson, provided clarity in a blog post earlier this week, affirming that the upcoming title will indeed be an MMO—albeit with some nuances.
In his post, Johanson elaborates on the studio’s classification of the first two games in the series. He characterizes the original Guild Wars as a “cooperative online RPG,” a label that was adopted in response to the community’s perception of it as an MMO. In contrast, Guild Wars 2 was designed as a genuine MMO, crafted to explore and challenge the conventions of the genre.
This divergence in gameplay styles between the two titles raises intriguing questions about the direction of the franchise. Johanson’s reflections hint at a broader commentary on the nature of MMOs, suggesting that the experience can often be fraught with challenges and emotional ups and downs. As he aptly puts it, “loving MMOs … is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving on.”
As the anticipation builds for Guild Wars 3, players and industry observers alike are keen to see how ArenaNet will navigate the complexities of MMO design while honoring the legacy of its predecessors. The evolution of this beloved franchise continues to captivate the gaming world, promising new adventures and experiences for its dedicated fanbase.
Guild Wars 3 is ‘significantly more’ of an MMO than the first game, but that doesn’t mean it’s like GW2: ‘All three of our games can coexist as different experiences’
Understanding the Evolution of Guild Wars
Guild Wars 2 stands as a prominent title in the realm of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), yet its lineage traces back to a predecessor that blurs the lines of the genre. The original Guild Wars, while boasting a vast array of character classes and playful emotes, is more accurately described as a mission-based action role-playing game (ARPG) with shared town hubs. This unique structure gives it an MMO-like feel, despite its distinct gameplay mechanics.
With the recent announcement of Guild Wars 3, the gaming community is left pondering a pivotal question: will this new installment embrace the MMO format? ArenaNet’s studio head, Colin Johanson, provided clarity in a blog post earlier this week, affirming that the upcoming title will indeed be an MMO—albeit with some nuances.
In his post, Johanson elaborates on the studio’s classification of the first two games in the series. He characterizes the original Guild Wars as a “cooperative online RPG,” a label that was adopted in response to the community’s perception of it as an MMO. In contrast, Guild Wars 2 was designed as a genuine MMO, crafted to explore and challenge the conventions of the genre.
This divergence in gameplay styles between the two titles raises intriguing questions about the direction of the franchise. Johanson’s reflections hint at a broader commentary on the nature of MMOs, suggesting that the experience can often be fraught with challenges and emotional ups and downs. As he aptly puts it, “loving MMOs … is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving on.”
As the anticipation builds for Guild Wars 3, players and industry observers alike are keen to see how ArenaNet will navigate the complexities of MMO design while honoring the legacy of its predecessors. The evolution of this beloved franchise continues to captivate the gaming world, promising new adventures and experiences for its dedicated fanbase.