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Yet Another Guild Wars Beta Event

Posted by Zonk on from the once-more-into-the-breach dept.

If you didn't get enough Guild Wars last month TunaSub2 wrote in to mention that "Guild Wars is getting ready to beta test again on December 4th." You can download the client here, and if you're interested in some softball questions to the design staff Filefront has you covered.

17 comments

  1. Not an open beta by Wylfing · · Score: 3, Informative
    This is part of the normal preview "comp" for preorder customers. Merely downloading the client won't get you into the game.

    --
    Our intelligent designer has never created an animal that we couldn't improve by strapping a bomb to it.
    1. Re:Not an open beta by Reo+Strong · · Score: 2, Interesting

      indeed, which is why I preorderd and can't wait until this weekend... I missed the first preview weekend... ISP was working on something and I didn't have a connection, but I was there for both of the previouse open ones. I hope that this model of pay per update catches on... but I'm skeptical...

      --
      "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." -Anon.
    2. Re:Not an open beta by admanb · · Score: 1

      Actually if you look at Everquest, DAoC, Final Fantasy XI, City of Heroes, Star Wars Galaxies, Anarchy Online, Shadowbane, etc. Pay-per-update HAS caught on... but not as a we-plan-to-improve-this-game-often system, OR a replacement-for-monthy system.

      In other words, if this takes off (which it will if the game is any good) it will be severly undercutting the costs of every other MMORPG currently out there. I have hopes.

      --
      Adam
    3. Re:Not an open beta by Synkronos · · Score: 1

      That's why they call it a beta, rather than an _open_ beta. And its not just a nod to their preorder clients, it's also an attempt to get more people interested in the game, and hence preordering. There are other ways to get in, most notably the friend invite that comes with the preorder. It'll create little cluters and chains of people who preorder, and then give a weekend to a friend, who preorders and... so on.

      --
      Playing poker with a joker and some Uno cards
  2. Playing without preorders by ashground · · Score: 2, Informative
    You still have a chance to play the beta even if you haven't preordered... but only if you live outside North America. From the Guild Wars FAQ:

    We hope that those are interested will be able to obtain a preorder package. The following publications will offer a one-weekend invitation for the Beta Weekend Events:
    * United Kingdom: PC Gamer - 25th October issue
    * United Kingdom: PC Format - January issue
    * France: PC Jeux - 24th/25th October issue
    * France: TJPC (Total Jeux PC) - issue due end of December
    * Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark): PC Gaming World - 21st October issue
    * Germany: PC Games - Issue available now
    * Spain: Micromania - Issue available now
    * Australia: Information to follow

    1. Re:Playing without preorders by Synkronos · · Score: 1

      Do also remember that every preorder, as well as coming with a beta key for every weekend for the buyer, also comes with one weekend key for a friend. So for every buyer (who will mostly be in the US), there will be one friend (again mostly in the US)

      --
      Playing poker with a joker and some Uno cards
  3. Bah! by triso · · Score: 1

    No linux client.

    1. Re:Bah! by triso · · Score: 1

      ...that I can find.

  4. Also... by Swanktastic · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Guild Wars is getting ready to beta test again on December 4th."

    What a coincidence. World of Warcraft is also getting ready to beta test on December 4th too.

    1. Re:Also... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      uhhh wow is already released bro.

  5. I wonder how many testers they'll have by Squozen · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I played during the last beta, but EQ2 and WoW have come out since then. I'm enjoying WoW too much to waste time on any other betas at the moment. :)

  6. Played in the last beta... by cabra771 · · Score: 1

    Does anyone know if those of us who played in the last beta test will be allowed to automatically be able to play in this weekend's test? I haven't preordered or anything, just got a key to play last time through gamespot or some other gaming site. Now I'm getting paranoid that I may not just be able to log on this weekend. Anyone know if everyone from last month will be able to play this weekend again?

    --

    -my other sig is your mom
    1. Re:Played in the last beta... by Synkronos · · Score: 1

      No. You will not be allowed to play unless you get a beta key by: a) Preordering b) Getting a friend key from a preorderer c) Getting a key from a magazine, website, etc. The list of these is not very large, and is apparently not complete yet If you _do_ get hold of a key, tho, your character will still be there for the first 2 weekend perorder betas.

      --
      Playing poker with a joker and some Uno cards
    2. Re:Played in the last beta... by cabra771 · · Score: 1

      Ok, so the key I got from gamespot to use the last beta weekend won't allow me back in this weekend. I'll have to get a new key is what your saying? That sucks. Guess I'll have to just go and preorder finally.

      --

      -my other sig is your mom
  7. Oh, a sarcasm detector! by Kingfox · · Score: 1

    Like that's a useful invention.

  8. No time for sleep... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I cant take time to get the client... too busy playing World of Warcraft...

  9. Monthly by Jedyte · · Score: 2, Informative
    > Guild Wars is getting ready to beta test again on December 4th."

    Uhm, isn't that because it's a monthly beta weekend?