'Guild Wars 2' explains itself ahead of World of Warcraft push

The latest trailer for Guild Wars 2 is a call to pick it up in preference to World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Star Wars: The Old Republic, or The Secret World, three other notable releases in the MMO genre.

A-mesmer-class-character-stands-proud-in-Guild-Wars-2-Photo-AFP

The latest trailer for Guild Wars 2 is a call to pick it up in preference to World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Star Wars: The Old Republic, or The Secret World, three other notable releases in the MMO genre.

Much of the Guild Wars 2 attraction stems from the game's dynamic event system, says the trailer, meaning that players should be able to find something new each time they visit the online world, and in turn creating their own unique stories shared with the players around them.

As well as following the Guild Wars 2 storyline, players can team up, face off against each other, or band together, forming alliances to challenge other player groups up for a test of skill, strategy and social cohesion.

Also profiled are the game's choice of five playable races and the eight available professions that should let players find a combination suited to their team requirements or personal whim.

With Guild Wars 2 having racked up a healthy two million players in the two weeks following an August 28 release, why produce this explanatory video now?

World of Warcraft's latest expansion, the September 25 Mists of Pandaria, might have something to do with it. Certainly the Guild Wars 2 trailer's 'no subscription fees' boast, contrasted with WoW's genre standard $14.99 (€12.99/£8.99) levy, would indicate as much.