Guild Wars 3 was announced on June 5, 2026 at Summer Game Fest — ArenaNet's first brand-new game since Guild Wars 2 in 2012. It's built in Unreal Engine 5, comes to PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5 (a Guild Wars console debut), and is set in Orr, 1,200 years before the original Guild Wars. It leans into action combat and a signature momentum-based movement system, stays buy-to-play with no subscription and no battle pass, and targets a first beta in fall 2027.
If you've been waiting for the next big buy-to-play MMORPG, this is the one to watch. Here's the full picture of what ArenaNet has shown so far — separated cleanly into what's confirmed and what's still open — plus how to get a head start before beta.
What is Guild Wars 3?
Guild Wars 3 is a next-generation entry in ArenaNet's long-running MMORPG series, pitched as a "modern evolution of the MMORPG." The studio is rebuilding the experience on Unreal Engine 5 with a focus on large-scale open-world exploration, dynamic combat, and a world that reacts to player choices. Crucially, ArenaNet has committed to developing all three of its games at once — Guild Wars 2, the remastered Guild Wars Reforged, and GW3 — so GW2 isn't going anywhere (more on why that matters below).
Setting & story
GW3 is set 1,200 years before the events of the original Guild Wars — a smart move that opens up unexplored history without cannibalizing GW2's ongoing story. The setting is Orr, described by ArenaNet as "a vast wilderness frontier imbued with the world's magic." You play a Vaelwarden — a member of an adventurer's guild sworn to protect the Vael spirits, the nature entities woven through the land. Each Vaelwarden is paired with a personal spirit mount called a Seeker — your constant companion for exploring the frontier.
Combat & movement
This is the biggest departure from GW2. ArenaNet is building GW3 as an action-RPG — real-time, reaction-based combat instead of the tab-targeting most MMOs still default to — with controls designed to work natively for both controller and keyboard-and-mouse. The standout feature is a "one-of-a-kind movement system that transfers your momentum between modes of travel": gliding, riding your Seeker, jumping, and wall-running all flow into one another, so traversal itself becomes part of the gameplay.
Platforms, engine & release window
- Platforms: PC (via Steam) and PlayStation 5 — the first time a Guild Wars game lands on consoles.
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5, a major leap from GW2's in-house tech.
- Beta: first test scheduled for fall 2027.
- Release date: not yet announced — more info promised through late 2026 into 2027.
Business model — confirmed
GW3 stays buy-to-play, in keeping with the whole series — and ArenaNet has been unusually direct about what it won't do: no subscription and no battle pass. Studio head Colin Johanson said they skipped the battle pass "because we think players are sick of those too." The exact price and any cosmetic-shop details aren't announced yet, but the core model is locked — a real point of difference from most modern MMOs.
What we DON'T know yet (and won't guess at)
We keep this page honest — here's what's still unconfirmed, and we won't invent it: the exact release date and price, the class and profession list, specific skills and systems, and PC system requirements. The business model (buy-to-play, no sub, no battle pass) and the action-combat direction are now confirmed — so those have moved up the page. As ArenaNet reveals the rest, this section shrinks and the guides grow.
The best community breakdowns
Everything revealed about GW3 so far — via Laranity. Loads only when you press play.
Warm up in Guild Wars 2 while you wait
Beta is a year+ out — but the fastest way to be ready for GW3 is to learn Tyria now. GW2 is free to try, deeply beginner-friendly, and new players are flooding back in after the reveal. Learn the world, the lore, and the ArenaNet combat feel so you land in GW3 already ahead.
Start the GW2 warm-up guide →Quick answers
When does Guild Wars 3 come out?
No release date yet. The first beta is targeted for fall 2027, and ArenaNet has said more details are coming through late 2026 and 2027 — so a launch is likely 2027 or later.
Is Guild Wars 3 on PS5?
Yes. GW3 is confirmed for PC and PlayStation 5 — the first Guild Wars game to come to consoles.
Will Guild Wars 2 shut down?
No. ArenaNet confirmed it's developing GW2 and GW3 at the same time. GW2 remains the best place to warm up for GW3.
Is it buy-to-play like GW2?
Yes — confirmed buy-to-play with no subscription and no battle pass. Only the exact price is still to be announced.
Is Guild Wars 3 tab-target or action combat?
Action combat. ArenaNet is building it as an action-RPG with native controller and keyboard-and-mouse support, plus a momentum-based movement system tying together gliding, riding, jumping and wall-running.