Hazmats
04.11.2004, 09:37
When does the Beta Weekend Event begin?
The event will begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Saturday morning. It will end at Midnight Pacific on Sunday night.
When can I access or set up my Beta Weekend Event account?
You will be able to set up or access your account when the event opens, at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Saturday, November 6th.
Will I be able to keep my character names?
All character names from the World Preview Event have been saved. If you participate in one of the first two Beta Weekend Events, your name will then be reserved into the release version of Guild Wars. If you do not participate in one of the first two Beta Weekend Events, the character names will be released for use by others.
Are my World Preview Event characters saved? Will there be a character wipe?
For the first Beta Weekend Event, which begins November 6th, your World Preview Event characters will be intact, with their names, levels, and items in place. At some point in the future there will be a character wipe, resetting each character to Level 1. At that time, providing you have been a Beta Weekend Event participant, your character names will be preserved for you into release of Guild Wars.
Can I still get the pre-order for Guild Wars?
You can preorder Guild Wars at any time. The preorder package was shipped to stores on September 13th, as noted in this press release. Stores that did not receive the package, or that sold out it can still obtain the package from their distributor, and offer it to their customers. Please ask your local retailer to order a copy for you.
Is there an update on the availability of the Guild War Preorder Package?
The preorder package has been available in stores throughout North America. Stores that sold out on preorder packages can reorder and obtain additional stock to meet the demand. We are told that numerous stores will be replenishing their shelves this week (November 1 - 5) in preparation for the first Beta Weekend Event, which starts on November 6. If your favorite retailers does not have stock, please ask them to direct you to a store that has stock of the preorder package.
The preorder package is becoming available through a few European retailers, and we anticipate greater availability in the near future.
What are the unique items that come with the different preorder packages?
The five unique items are:
Best Buy: Kanthan Targe
Electronics Boutique: Ithas Bow
GameStop: War Pick
CompUSA: Bone Idol
All others: Censor's Icon
More information, including a brief description and an image of each item, may be found on this page.
Can I trade with someone to obtain a unique preorder item? NEW!
The unique item that is part of the preorder package is a customized item and therefore cannot be wielded by other characters.
When will I be able to use the unique items that come with the preorder?
You will be able to use your unique item when the game is released.
When will I be able to reserve my character name?
Character names will be reserved during the Beta Weekend Events.
When do I use the key code that I received with my preorder package?
You will need the key code when you log into your first Beta Weekend Event session. Instructions will be provided at that time.
What is the availability of the preorder package for those outside the United States or Canada?
We are still working with international retailers to broaden the availability of the preorder package. However, it may be possible to preorder through U.S. and Canadian retailers such as Amazon.com, GameStop, EBGames, and several others. Additionally, NCsoft has recently formed partnerships with various publications around the world which will address access to Beta Weekend Events.
How do those who are outside the United States and Canada participate in the Beta Weekend Events?
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
France: PC Jeux - 24th/25th October issue
Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark): PC Gaming World - 21st October issue
Germany: PC Games - Issue available now
Italy: Information to follow soon
Eastern Europe: Information to follow
Spain: Micromania - Issue available now
Finland: Information to follow
Australia: Information to follow
If you need to obtain the Guild Wars client, please pick it up on this link.
How much does the preorder package cost?
When you place a deposit on a preorder for Guild Wars, you will receive a copy of the preorder package. That deposit will be applied to the retail cost of the game. Most retailers have a deposit requirement of between $5 or $10 in order to obtain the preorder package.
Why should I preorder Guild Wars?
Preordering assures that the store will have a copy of the game for you on the first day of release. In some instances, a game that is preordered through an Internet retailer will be shipped to reach you on the first day of release or will reach you very soon thereafter. Beyond that, the preorder package for Guild Wars offers a long list of assets, including access to Guild War Beta Events, the ability to reserve your character name, a Tournament Guide from Prima, screenshots and concept art, music files, the Guild Wars game client, and more.
What is in the Guild Wars Preorder Package?
The preorder package varies between retailers. There are certain standard items and then one or more than one that is specific to that individual retailer. Here is a list of items that can be found in the Guild Wars preorder package:
- Pre-account registration for game launch
- The ability to save your character name for launch of the game
- Exclusive access to every Beta Weekend Event, which will take place the first weekend of each month until release
- Store-specific in-game item – varies by retailer. For more information click here.
- Friend’s Pass that allows you to invite one guest to join you for one of the monthly Beta Weekend Events
- Folded Poster
- Prima Mini Quick Start Guide
- Digital Media that includes:
- 15 Pieces of Game Concept Art
- 9 Desktop/Wallpaper Images
- Several musical tracks from award winning composer Jeremy Soule created for the Guild Wars original music score
Where can I preorder Guild Wars?
Here is a partial list of retailers who are or will be offering the Guild Wars Preorder Package:
Best Buy
Circuit City
CompUSA
Electronics Boutique (EB)
Electronics Boutique (EB) Canada
Fred Meyer
Fry's
GameStop
Hastings
MicroCenter
Musicland
Target
The following Canadian retailers are anticipated to have preorder packages by mid-November:
Best Buy
Future Shop
Please keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive list, and that many other retailers -- both independents and chains -- may become involved with the Guild Wars Preorder. Also, a variety of on-line retailers will be offering Guild Wars and they may also be involved in the Preorder as well.
Can I have the preorder package shipped from the U.S.?
Yes, there are several on-line retailers who offer shipping outside of North America. Visit your favorite on-line retailer for information about preorders and shipping costs.
If I preorder Guild Wars for shipment to me, will the retailers ship me the preorder package immediately when it becomes available?
The question of shipment of various components of an order needs to be addressed to the specific retailer with whom you are considering placing a preorder. It is our belief that you should receive the preorder package in September, and the retail version of Guild Wars upon release of the game. But that really depends on the shipping policies of the individual company, and should be verified with them.
I already placed a preorder for Guild Wars. Can I still get a preorder package now that it is available?
It is our intention that retailers provide a copy of the preorder package to everyone who preorders. So if you preordered before the preorder package was available, you should be able to visit the retailer, show your receipt, and receive a free copy of the preorder package, providing you paid a sufficient deposit. In other words, the retailer is asking $10 deposit in order to receive the preorder package and you placed a deposit of at least $10, you should obtain a preorder package when you present your receipt as proof of deposit.
Is the Friends Pass in the preorder package good for just one friend and one weekend?
Yes, you may invite a friend to join you during one Beta Weekend Event. Those friends who subsequently preorder the game and obtain the preorder package will also receive an invitation for a friend to join one Beta Weekend Event.
What exactly is a “Preorder Package” and how does the Preorder process work?
A preorder package is essentially a collection of content related to the game experience that is assembled into an official item for retail sale or distribution. The package is provided from the developer/publisher to the retailer for free or at a very nominal cost. (Some retailer systems require that all items have a cost and therefore publishers provide the package at the cost of $0.01 per unit to the retailer) The retailer then offers the package to the consumer for a price that can vary but which averages around $10. It’s important to note that all of the amount paid at the time of the preorder is applied towards the retail purchase price of the official package when the consumer returns to the store or when the retailer ships the game to the customer. Effectively, neither the publisher nor the retailer makes money on the preorder package.
Why is ArenaNet doing a Preorder for Guild Wars?
In a Preorder event, the developer/publisher provides a package that costs development time and money. The retailer sacrifices precious shelf space but yet receives no actual revenue, since the cost of the preorder package is applied to the cost of the game. Therefore it might be asked why anyone offers or participates in a preorder campaign. The answer is fairly straightforward for both the developer/publisher and the retailer:
The Retailer:
Retailers need to keep their eye on inventory. They want to purchase enough stock to fulfill the needs of customers, but they don’t want to have excess inventory that remains unsold. Preorders allow a retailer to gauge the interest in a game and give them confidence that they are wisely investing their money in inventory costs and promotional expenses for that game. In addition, preorders help a retailer establish a relationship with a consumer for the future purchase of a package well in advance of the package’s release.
The Developer/Publisher:
For the developer and publisher the preorder package serves two purposes. The first of these is being able to prove consumer demand to the retailer. The computer game industry is extremely competitive, with console and PC package fighting for increasingly limited shelf space. Retailers seek to manage risks and often choose to focus on established franchises. For a new title, this means there can be a challenge in earning retailer support and getting a title on the shelf. In some cases, a successful preorder package is becoming a requirement for retailer support of any kind.
The second reason for offering a preorder package is to support and increase the word of mouth discussion of a game. Having one enthusiastic gamer recommend the game to a friend or to several friends is a very important factor in a game’s success. A well-constructed preorder package helps this because it reinforces the fan’s enthusiasm and allows him or her to tangibly demonstrate to others the quality of the upcoming game. This increases interest in the game.
Isn’t there a risk in doing a preorder?
Yes, there are risks. For the developer/publisher the risk of the preorder process is the cost of the material and the cost of the time in putting together a package. Such costs are significant because you have the unit costs multiplied by as many as several hundred thousand units. This is not counting the cost of time to create the assets themselves nor advertising and promotion costs, both of which are also considerable. Equally, every moment spent by the developer on creating the preorder content is a moment not focused on development of the game. So while the preorder package presents a terrific opportunity to reach out to fans and to enlarge both knowledge of and enthusiasm for the game, these positives must be balanced against the significant costs involved.
What are the goals of a preorder?
Many gamers learned about Guild Wars during our E3 for Everyone Event in May of 2004. About 200,000 people joined us for that five-day Guild Wars experience, an unprecedented event given the alpha stage of the game. More and more gamers are learning of the many advantages of Guild Wars, such as free online play, instanced missions, the lack of a leveling grind, streaming technology, and the promise of a game that rewards a player more for skill than for hours played. Nevertheless, Guild Wars is a new package and the preorder package will provide additional support with our retail partners for creating the best possible package launch.
For gamers, we want to provide great content without affecting the game development process or detracting from the final game experience. There are many twists and turns in the Guild Wars story, and to reveal these experiences prior to release would be an injustice to the gaming experience. Key highlights that we wanted the preorder package to provide include showing the beautiful world and art style of the game, providing access to the game experience and specific features as we move through our beta development process. We also wanted to develop a way for a Guild Wars fan to share these elements with a friend.
So to highlight the graphical game experience and the unique style of the game we chose our favorite electronic assets such as screenshots, concept art, wall papers and music from our E3 event. Much of this content is new but some elements have been used before in potentially limited press sources. These assets include some of our favorite game visuals and we wanted to provide them in a comprehensive public format that saves gamers the hassles of having to download large files.
How does the preorder package and the World Preview Event affect beta testing?
We spent a great deal of time considering the ongoing testing needs for Guild Wars and determining how to provide game exposure in our preorder package. After much discussion we have opted for a testing plan that includes continuous testing, a free public event and a series of monthly events that are connected with the preorder package.
Testing:
Testing will continue until release. Internal testing will take place on a daily basis, and members of our Alpha Tester team will continue through the Beta Test. We will be expanding that test group by means that we will announce in the near future. Due to the features we will be testing – guild features, skill balancing, world server technology – we will specifically include testers who match profiles necessary to specifically test these features and this process will not be part of the preorder process and we are not accepting tester applications.
World Preview Event:
We are committed to providing continued public exposure to the game and we hosted our Guild Wars World Preview Event on October 29 through 31, with free access for everyone. Public events on this scale require a significant investment of development resources and infrastructure costs. Basically, each event is equivalent to an open beta and most games undertake such a event just once prior to release. The October Guild Wars World Preview Event was our second free public event with unlimited access, following our E3 for Everyone Event in May of 2004.
Beta Weekend Events:
We feel that the optimum balance in the use of development resources and in increasing the preorder package game exposure will be derived by having Beta Events on a regular basis. Scheduled for the first weekend of each month, each 48-hour period will focus on a new experience in the game such as new regions, new missions, new monsters, and new game mechanics. The preorder package will provide an exclusive Beta Event access code as well as a pass code for one friend to participate in one of the events. This combination allows us to minimize development interruption, to reduce support costs and yet still provide additional game exposure for passionate fans who want to experience the evolution of the game in the beta development process.
The event will begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Saturday morning. It will end at Midnight Pacific on Sunday night.
When can I access or set up my Beta Weekend Event account?
You will be able to set up or access your account when the event opens, at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Saturday, November 6th.
Will I be able to keep my character names?
All character names from the World Preview Event have been saved. If you participate in one of the first two Beta Weekend Events, your name will then be reserved into the release version of Guild Wars. If you do not participate in one of the first two Beta Weekend Events, the character names will be released for use by others.
Are my World Preview Event characters saved? Will there be a character wipe?
For the first Beta Weekend Event, which begins November 6th, your World Preview Event characters will be intact, with their names, levels, and items in place. At some point in the future there will be a character wipe, resetting each character to Level 1. At that time, providing you have been a Beta Weekend Event participant, your character names will be preserved for you into release of Guild Wars.
Can I still get the pre-order for Guild Wars?
You can preorder Guild Wars at any time. The preorder package was shipped to stores on September 13th, as noted in this press release. Stores that did not receive the package, or that sold out it can still obtain the package from their distributor, and offer it to their customers. Please ask your local retailer to order a copy for you.
Is there an update on the availability of the Guild War Preorder Package?
The preorder package has been available in stores throughout North America. Stores that sold out on preorder packages can reorder and obtain additional stock to meet the demand. We are told that numerous stores will be replenishing their shelves this week (November 1 - 5) in preparation for the first Beta Weekend Event, which starts on November 6. If your favorite retailers does not have stock, please ask them to direct you to a store that has stock of the preorder package.
The preorder package is becoming available through a few European retailers, and we anticipate greater availability in the near future.
What are the unique items that come with the different preorder packages?
The five unique items are:
Best Buy: Kanthan Targe
Electronics Boutique: Ithas Bow
GameStop: War Pick
CompUSA: Bone Idol
All others: Censor's Icon
More information, including a brief description and an image of each item, may be found on this page.
Can I trade with someone to obtain a unique preorder item? NEW!
The unique item that is part of the preorder package is a customized item and therefore cannot be wielded by other characters.
When will I be able to use the unique items that come with the preorder?
You will be able to use your unique item when the game is released.
When will I be able to reserve my character name?
Character names will be reserved during the Beta Weekend Events.
When do I use the key code that I received with my preorder package?
You will need the key code when you log into your first Beta Weekend Event session. Instructions will be provided at that time.
What is the availability of the preorder package for those outside the United States or Canada?
We are still working with international retailers to broaden the availability of the preorder package. However, it may be possible to preorder through U.S. and Canadian retailers such as Amazon.com, GameStop, EBGames, and several others. Additionally, NCsoft has recently formed partnerships with various publications around the world which will address access to Beta Weekend Events.
How do those who are outside the United States and Canada participate in the Beta Weekend Events?
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
France: PC Jeux - 24th/25th October issue
Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark): PC Gaming World - 21st October issue
Germany: PC Games - Issue available now
Italy: Information to follow soon
Eastern Europe: Information to follow
Spain: Micromania - Issue available now
Finland: Information to follow
Australia: Information to follow
If you need to obtain the Guild Wars client, please pick it up on this link.
How much does the preorder package cost?
When you place a deposit on a preorder for Guild Wars, you will receive a copy of the preorder package. That deposit will be applied to the retail cost of the game. Most retailers have a deposit requirement of between $5 or $10 in order to obtain the preorder package.
Why should I preorder Guild Wars?
Preordering assures that the store will have a copy of the game for you on the first day of release. In some instances, a game that is preordered through an Internet retailer will be shipped to reach you on the first day of release or will reach you very soon thereafter. Beyond that, the preorder package for Guild Wars offers a long list of assets, including access to Guild War Beta Events, the ability to reserve your character name, a Tournament Guide from Prima, screenshots and concept art, music files, the Guild Wars game client, and more.
What is in the Guild Wars Preorder Package?
The preorder package varies between retailers. There are certain standard items and then one or more than one that is specific to that individual retailer. Here is a list of items that can be found in the Guild Wars preorder package:
- Pre-account registration for game launch
- The ability to save your character name for launch of the game
- Exclusive access to every Beta Weekend Event, which will take place the first weekend of each month until release
- Store-specific in-game item – varies by retailer. For more information click here.
- Friend’s Pass that allows you to invite one guest to join you for one of the monthly Beta Weekend Events
- Folded Poster
- Prima Mini Quick Start Guide
- Digital Media that includes:
- 15 Pieces of Game Concept Art
- 9 Desktop/Wallpaper Images
- Several musical tracks from award winning composer Jeremy Soule created for the Guild Wars original music score
Where can I preorder Guild Wars?
Here is a partial list of retailers who are or will be offering the Guild Wars Preorder Package:
Best Buy
Circuit City
CompUSA
Electronics Boutique (EB)
Electronics Boutique (EB) Canada
Fred Meyer
Fry's
GameStop
Hastings
MicroCenter
Musicland
Target
The following Canadian retailers are anticipated to have preorder packages by mid-November:
Best Buy
Future Shop
Please keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive list, and that many other retailers -- both independents and chains -- may become involved with the Guild Wars Preorder. Also, a variety of on-line retailers will be offering Guild Wars and they may also be involved in the Preorder as well.
Can I have the preorder package shipped from the U.S.?
Yes, there are several on-line retailers who offer shipping outside of North America. Visit your favorite on-line retailer for information about preorders and shipping costs.
If I preorder Guild Wars for shipment to me, will the retailers ship me the preorder package immediately when it becomes available?
The question of shipment of various components of an order needs to be addressed to the specific retailer with whom you are considering placing a preorder. It is our belief that you should receive the preorder package in September, and the retail version of Guild Wars upon release of the game. But that really depends on the shipping policies of the individual company, and should be verified with them.
I already placed a preorder for Guild Wars. Can I still get a preorder package now that it is available?
It is our intention that retailers provide a copy of the preorder package to everyone who preorders. So if you preordered before the preorder package was available, you should be able to visit the retailer, show your receipt, and receive a free copy of the preorder package, providing you paid a sufficient deposit. In other words, the retailer is asking $10 deposit in order to receive the preorder package and you placed a deposit of at least $10, you should obtain a preorder package when you present your receipt as proof of deposit.
Is the Friends Pass in the preorder package good for just one friend and one weekend?
Yes, you may invite a friend to join you during one Beta Weekend Event. Those friends who subsequently preorder the game and obtain the preorder package will also receive an invitation for a friend to join one Beta Weekend Event.
What exactly is a “Preorder Package” and how does the Preorder process work?
A preorder package is essentially a collection of content related to the game experience that is assembled into an official item for retail sale or distribution. The package is provided from the developer/publisher to the retailer for free or at a very nominal cost. (Some retailer systems require that all items have a cost and therefore publishers provide the package at the cost of $0.01 per unit to the retailer) The retailer then offers the package to the consumer for a price that can vary but which averages around $10. It’s important to note that all of the amount paid at the time of the preorder is applied towards the retail purchase price of the official package when the consumer returns to the store or when the retailer ships the game to the customer. Effectively, neither the publisher nor the retailer makes money on the preorder package.
Why is ArenaNet doing a Preorder for Guild Wars?
In a Preorder event, the developer/publisher provides a package that costs development time and money. The retailer sacrifices precious shelf space but yet receives no actual revenue, since the cost of the preorder package is applied to the cost of the game. Therefore it might be asked why anyone offers or participates in a preorder campaign. The answer is fairly straightforward for both the developer/publisher and the retailer:
The Retailer:
Retailers need to keep their eye on inventory. They want to purchase enough stock to fulfill the needs of customers, but they don’t want to have excess inventory that remains unsold. Preorders allow a retailer to gauge the interest in a game and give them confidence that they are wisely investing their money in inventory costs and promotional expenses for that game. In addition, preorders help a retailer establish a relationship with a consumer for the future purchase of a package well in advance of the package’s release.
The Developer/Publisher:
For the developer and publisher the preorder package serves two purposes. The first of these is being able to prove consumer demand to the retailer. The computer game industry is extremely competitive, with console and PC package fighting for increasingly limited shelf space. Retailers seek to manage risks and often choose to focus on established franchises. For a new title, this means there can be a challenge in earning retailer support and getting a title on the shelf. In some cases, a successful preorder package is becoming a requirement for retailer support of any kind.
The second reason for offering a preorder package is to support and increase the word of mouth discussion of a game. Having one enthusiastic gamer recommend the game to a friend or to several friends is a very important factor in a game’s success. A well-constructed preorder package helps this because it reinforces the fan’s enthusiasm and allows him or her to tangibly demonstrate to others the quality of the upcoming game. This increases interest in the game.
Isn’t there a risk in doing a preorder?
Yes, there are risks. For the developer/publisher the risk of the preorder process is the cost of the material and the cost of the time in putting together a package. Such costs are significant because you have the unit costs multiplied by as many as several hundred thousand units. This is not counting the cost of time to create the assets themselves nor advertising and promotion costs, both of which are also considerable. Equally, every moment spent by the developer on creating the preorder content is a moment not focused on development of the game. So while the preorder package presents a terrific opportunity to reach out to fans and to enlarge both knowledge of and enthusiasm for the game, these positives must be balanced against the significant costs involved.
What are the goals of a preorder?
Many gamers learned about Guild Wars during our E3 for Everyone Event in May of 2004. About 200,000 people joined us for that five-day Guild Wars experience, an unprecedented event given the alpha stage of the game. More and more gamers are learning of the many advantages of Guild Wars, such as free online play, instanced missions, the lack of a leveling grind, streaming technology, and the promise of a game that rewards a player more for skill than for hours played. Nevertheless, Guild Wars is a new package and the preorder package will provide additional support with our retail partners for creating the best possible package launch.
For gamers, we want to provide great content without affecting the game development process or detracting from the final game experience. There are many twists and turns in the Guild Wars story, and to reveal these experiences prior to release would be an injustice to the gaming experience. Key highlights that we wanted the preorder package to provide include showing the beautiful world and art style of the game, providing access to the game experience and specific features as we move through our beta development process. We also wanted to develop a way for a Guild Wars fan to share these elements with a friend.
So to highlight the graphical game experience and the unique style of the game we chose our favorite electronic assets such as screenshots, concept art, wall papers and music from our E3 event. Much of this content is new but some elements have been used before in potentially limited press sources. These assets include some of our favorite game visuals and we wanted to provide them in a comprehensive public format that saves gamers the hassles of having to download large files.
How does the preorder package and the World Preview Event affect beta testing?
We spent a great deal of time considering the ongoing testing needs for Guild Wars and determining how to provide game exposure in our preorder package. After much discussion we have opted for a testing plan that includes continuous testing, a free public event and a series of monthly events that are connected with the preorder package.
Testing:
Testing will continue until release. Internal testing will take place on a daily basis, and members of our Alpha Tester team will continue through the Beta Test. We will be expanding that test group by means that we will announce in the near future. Due to the features we will be testing – guild features, skill balancing, world server technology – we will specifically include testers who match profiles necessary to specifically test these features and this process will not be part of the preorder process and we are not accepting tester applications.
World Preview Event:
We are committed to providing continued public exposure to the game and we hosted our Guild Wars World Preview Event on October 29 through 31, with free access for everyone. Public events on this scale require a significant investment of development resources and infrastructure costs. Basically, each event is equivalent to an open beta and most games undertake such a event just once prior to release. The October Guild Wars World Preview Event was our second free public event with unlimited access, following our E3 for Everyone Event in May of 2004.
Beta Weekend Events:
We feel that the optimum balance in the use of development resources and in increasing the preorder package game exposure will be derived by having Beta Events on a regular basis. Scheduled for the first weekend of each month, each 48-hour period will focus on a new experience in the game such as new regions, new missions, new monsters, and new game mechanics. The preorder package will provide an exclusive Beta Event access code as well as a pass code for one friend to participate in one of the events. This combination allows us to minimize development interruption, to reduce support costs and yet still provide additional game exposure for passionate fans who want to experience the evolution of the game in the beta development process.