Entertainment
ArenaNet previews Guild Wars 3 ahead of planned 2027 beta
The upcoming Unreal Engine 5 title introduces action-oriented momentum mechanics, a PlayStation 5 launch, and smaller combat player caps.
The short version
- ArenaNet revealed early alpha details for Guild Wars 3, which is being developed on Unreal Engine 5 for PC and PlayStation 5.
- The prequel title introduces a physics-based momentum engine for combat and movement, alongside an open-world combat zone cap of about 20 players.
- A beta release is targeted for late 2027, while the studio continues ongoing maintenance for both previous franchise entries.
Key facts
- Guild Wars 3 has been in development for four years on Unreal Engine 5 and is scheduled for a beta release in late 2027.[Wired]
- The game marks the franchise's first console release, coming to PlayStation 5 alongside PC.[Wired]
- The narrative setting of Guild Wars 3 takes place before the events of both Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2.[Wired]
- The game incorporates a new momentum system incorporating speed, weight, and inertia into movement abilities like wall-running and physics-based combat attacks.[Wired]
- Active open-world combat zones will have a capacity limit of approximately 20 players, though social hub limits in cities and towns will scale higher.[Wired]
- ArenaNet plans to maintain operational support for both the original Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 alongside the new title.[Wired]
What remains uncertain
- ArenaNet has not yet finalized certain design mechanics, such as how enemy loot drops will function when foes are knocked off cliffs, or how communication systems will operate for PlayStation 5 players.[Wired]