Guild Wars 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Edition: The Ultimate Celebration!

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Back on April 28, 2005, ArenaNet introduced players to the realm of Tyria in the game called “Guild Wars”. Now, more than 19 years after its initial release, “Guild Wars” is receiving a fresh update, and it’s being released alongside the 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Edition to mark two decades of continuous service.

Game Rant had a chat with Stephen Clarke-Willson, the director of Guild Wars, regarding this latest update and its implications for the classic MMO. Clarke-Willson has been deeply involved in the development of Guild Wars throughout most of its existence, serving as the primary driving force behind maintaining and enhancing it. In the conversation, Clarke-Willson discussed some of the enticing aspects of this significant update and explained why it was crucial to implement it.

Guild Wars 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Edition Update

The Definitive Way to Play Guild Wars 1

For nearly two decades, ArenaNet has introduced more than two dozen unique versions of the game Guild Wars, and while many are no longer accessible, some can still be purchased today. As Clarke-Willson stated, “We once had the Game of the Year Edition from what feels like ages ago,” they decided to create a new edition for the game’s anniversary. The Masterpiece Edition, unlike previous versions, offers something extraordinary: it includes not just the main game but also Factions, Nightfall, Eye of the North, and the Guild Wars Bonus Mission Pack. In essence, the Guild Wars 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Edition aims to offer a comprehensive experience for fans of the classic MMO.

In the process of creating this new product, Guild Wars nearly named the Deluxe Version as the “Ultimate” Edition, but Clarke-Willson preferred to leave room for a possible larger version in the future. He stated, “As long as we don’t completely vanish, we will do everything within our power to support our games.” He further explained, “Gaming is a service; it might sound like a buzzword, but to actually deliver and commit over 20 years now? That’s an accomplishment, and it’s something we want people to appreciate because we care deeply for our players.” After careful consideration, Clarke-Willson and his team eventually decided on the Masterpiece Edition name.

After consulting the thesaurus, we decided on the Masterpiece Edition. I hesitated, wondering if it might be overly flashy. However, the response was, ‘If you’ve survived in the gaming world for 20 years, it’s not too extravagant!’

For the anniversary celebration, the usual price of this version is $40, but it will be drastically reduced to only $8, which represents an 80% discount – the largest ever in the history of Guild Wars. As expressed by Clarke-Willson, “We simply want everyone to enjoy themselves,” and to achieve this goal, they are offering a chance for people to join in, making it more affordable and accessible. Although Guild Wars has been around for some time, Clarke-Willson anticipates that the Masterpiece Edition will be an excellent introduction for fans to experience ArenaNet’s original MMO without putting too much strain on their budgets. “In my opinion, is the game worth $40? Undoubtedly, players can expect hundreds of hours of entertainment. However, when considering a purchase, what risks do you wish to take in this economy?

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2025-04-16 16:45