• is the first game in the series to launch on both PC and console
• Studio head Colin Johanson says it will allow the game to "reach a much wider group of players" on PS5 and PC
• ArenaNet wants new players to take their first plunge into Guild Wars with the upcoming game

will be the first game in the MMORPG franchise to launch on both console and PC, and ArenaNet thinks it will encourage newcomers to take their first steps into the series.

"With us bringing the game to console for the first time, [and] with us launching on Steam from day one on our own platform, we can reach a much wider group of players," said studio head Colin Johanson during a guided presentation TechRadar Gaming attended at Gamescom.

Speaking about the game's setting, which takes place 1000 years before the first in the ancient land of Orr, Johanson explained that the game will appeal to hardcore fans who have been eager to learn more about the lore for years.

Exploring this highly anticipated era means ArenaNet could welcome new players with no experience, since the game is essentially a prequel and newcomers won't be required to play the first two games to understand what's going on.

"Everyone's going to learn it all together, and if you're a big fan, you'll know what some of the species are and some of the characters or some of the locations," the studio head said. "But for the most part, everybody is on equal footing."

The direction also means the studio could draw more players by launching the game on both PC and PlayStation 5; it's unclear right now whether the game could eventually get an Xbox release as well.

"We really wanted to have an invitation for everybody to come play together and feel like this could be their first game that they haven't played before," Johanson added.

is now in development and doesn't have a release date, but a beta is scheduled for Fall 2027.

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