Guild Wars login announcements/Archive

This is an archive of older in-game announcements for this year. See the main announcement page for the current ones, and the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 archives for older announcements.

Discontinuing support for older versions of Windows &mdash; 15 March 2012
After serious consideration, we've decided that Guild Wars will no longer be supported on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows ME beginning June 14, 2012. In order to continue to play Guild Wars after this date, we recommend upgrading to a more recent version of Windows. Please make sure to read the full announcement here: http://guildwars.com/players/

Special Items This Weekend &mdash; 6 March 2012
Starting at Noon Pacific (-8GMT) this Friday through 11:59PM Pacific (-7GMT) on Thursday, March 15, you will be able to gather Shamrock Ale and Four-Leaf Clovers as random drops throughout all the lands of Tyria. Enjoy the weekend, and remember: think green!

Canthan New Year! &mdash; 2 February 2012
The Canthan New Year is here! Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Shing Jea Monastery from Feb 2 to Feb 6.

Triple key/lockpick drops AND double your luck points &mdash; 27 January 2012
This weekend through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT), you'll find plenty of keys and lockpicks with the triple drop rate. Plus, you'll get double lucky/unlucky points for using lockpicks on chests.

Eye Of The North Reputation Weekend &mdash; 13 January 2012
Complete Quests and defeat foes while under the effect of a shrine bonus this weekend to earn double Asura, Deldrimor, Ebon Vanguard and Norn reputation points. Points for completed books are unaffected. This boost will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.

Wintersday is Coming! – 15 December 2011
Beginning at 12PM Pacific (-8GMT) on Thursday, December 15, you can enjoy lots of Wintersday Festival fun, including special quests and activities, seasonal items, the Snowball Arena, and more. Get details on www.guildwars.com and join the event through January 2!

Guild Wars Guru Monthly Tournament Match Commentary – 15 December 2011
Join the Guild Wars Guru community Saturday, December 17 at 12:00 PM PST for their monthly tournament commentary event. See Guild Wars Guru for details: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/december-monthly-commentary-12-17-t10499355.html

Double Gold, Scrolls and XP for Vanquishing &mdash; 30 September 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, receive double the gold and experience rewards when you successfully vanquish certain areas in Hard Mode. In addition, we've doubled the drop rate of scrolls, and scroll effects will last twice as long as normal. These bonuses last through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT).

GvG Double-Reward Weekend &mdash; 23 September 2011
GvG's the thing this weekend, when you can earn double GvG Faction and Double [sic] Champion Points starting Friday at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific.

Talk Like a Pirate Event &mdash; 16 September 2011
Avast! Starting at noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, NPCs in Lion's Arch and Kamadon will talk like salty sea dogs. The Talk Like a Pirate Event will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Tuesday. Arrh!

Triple key/lockpick drops AND double your luck points &mdash; 26 August 2011
This weekend through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT), you'll find plenty of keys and lockpicks with the triple drop rate. Plus, you'll get double lucky/unlucky points for using lockpicks on chests.

Heroes' Ascent Bonus Weekend &mdash; 19 August 2011
Compete in Heroes' Ascent this weekend to earn double fame and double Balthazar faction, plus double chest loot for victories in the Hall of Heroes. The fun starts at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) on Friday, and ends at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Double Luxon and Kurzick title points
Starting at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, you will receive double points for exchanging 5,000 faction for Jadeite or Amber, for exchanging 3,000 faction for an alliance skill, and for transferring 5,000 faction to raise your alliance's reputation. This bonus will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Eye of the North Reputation Weekend
Complete quests and defeat foes while under the effect of a shrine bonus this weekend to earn double Asura, Deldrimor, Ebon Vanguard, and Norn reputation points. Points for completed books are unaffected. This boost will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Alliance Battles Bonus Weekend &mdash; 22 July 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific this Friday, you will earn double faction for participating in Alliance Battles. This boost will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.

Epic new content! Winds of Change
Winds of Change is here! This multi-stage storyline set in Cantha features new quests, new Canthan costumes, and history making battles. Speak with Zei Ri in Kaineng Center to get started!

Wintersday in July &mdash; 15 July 2011
This weekend, Wintersday Priests will open access to the Snowball Arena from Lion's Arch, Droknar's Forge, Ascalon City, Kamadan, and The Great Temple of Balthazar. For those who choose to stay out adventuring instead, there will also be special Wintersday-themed item drops from monsters across the land. Wintersday in July will begin at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday and last until 11:59PM Pacific on Sunday, July 17.

Arena Bonus Weekend &mdash; 8 July 2011
Starting at Noon (-7 GMT) Pacific time this Friday, you can earn double faction and double Gladiator Points within Random Arena. [sic] These double rewards extend through Sunday at 11:59 PM (-7 GMT) Pacific.

Network Maintenance
On Thursday July 7 2011, we're going to conduct a network maintenance at 5 AM PDT (7 AM CDT / 8 AM EDT / 12 PM GMT). We expect the work to take up to 2 hours. Guild Wars, the Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 website and wikis could be affected by the maintenance, including possible disconnections and login errors from the game. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we thank you for your patience and understanding.

Protect your game account!
Password theft is on the rise, and we are aware of recent attacks on Guild Wars fansite forums. Your Guild Wars game account is in jeopardy if you use the same password for your game account that you use for a Guild Wars fansite forum or any other external site. Read the post on the Support Forums for more details: https://forum.guildwars.com/forum/forums/accounts/Account-Security-Tips-1000/page/1#post246

Cantha Commemorates the Dragon Festival &mdash; 30 June 2011
This weekend, Canthans celebrate the historic Dragon Festival. Enjoy quests and games and prizes, oh my! Visit the Boardwalk, jump into the Dragon Arena, score cool prizes, too. The event takes place in the Shing Jea Monastery starting on Thursday, June 30 and it wraps up at 11:59 PM Pacific on Sunday July 3.

Double XP for elite captures and double green item drop rate &mdash; 24 June 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, players will receive double experience for capturing elite skills. Instead of gaining 250 times their level in experience, players will receive 500 times their level in experience. Players will also have double odds of receiving green items from bosses. This bonus will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Introducing the Guild Wars Support Forums
We have just launched Guild Wars Support Forums, an online resource for Guild Wars players who have technical issues, want to submit a bug report, or have problems with their account. Players will use their Guild Wars game account to register on these forums, which are currently only available in English. Keep in mind that these forums are for support-related issues only: http://forum.guildwars.com/

GvG Double-Reward Weekend &mdash; 17 June 2011
GvG's the thing this weekend, when you can earn double GvG Faction and Double [sic] Champion Points starting Friday at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific.

Double Sunspear & Lightbringer Points &mdash; 10 June 2011
This weekend, get double Sunspear and Lightbringer points in both Hard mode and regular gameplay. Obtain the bounty from a res shrine NPC and double your reward from Noon Pacific on Friday through 11:59 PM Pacific on Sunday.

One 50% off Character Slots One Week Only
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off Character Slots until 9 June. Get yours today!

Double Tournament Reward Points
Starting at 12:01 PM Pacific Time (-7 GMT) on Friday, you will earn double Tournament Reward Points for GvG. This lasts until 11:59 PM (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Eye of the North 50% Off - One Week Only
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off Guild Wars: Eye of the North until 2 June. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.

Double Gold, Scrolls and XP for Vanquishing &mdash; 27 May 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, receive double the gold and experience rewards when you successfully vanquish certain areas in Hard Mode. In addition, we've doubled the drop rate of scrolls, and scroll effects will last twice as long as normal. These bonuses last through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT).


 * GWiki Note: Although not mentioned in the announcement, you will earn double faction/reputation after vanquishing relevant areas during this event.

50% Off Makeover Pack - One Week Only
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off the Extreme Makeover/Makeover Pack until 26 May. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.

Double Luxon and Kurzick Title Points &mdash; 20 May 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, you will receive double points for exchanging 5,000 faction for Jadeite or Amber, for exchanging 3,000 faction for an alliance skill, and for transferring 5,000 faction to raise your alliance's reputation. This bonus will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

One Week Only 50% Off Bonus Mission Pack
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off the Bonus Mission Pack until May 19. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.

One Week Only 50% Off Storage Panes
Our six-week anniversary sale continues with 50% off Storage Panes until May 12. A new item(s) goes on sale each Thursday at noon Pacific until June 9, 2011.

Heroes' Ascent Bonus Weekend
Compete in Heroes' Ascent this weekend to earn double fame and double Balthazar faction, plus double chest loot for victories in the Hall of Heroes. The fun starts at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) on Friday, and ends at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Eye of the North Reputation Weekend &mdash; 6 May 2011
Complete quests and defeat foes while under the effect of a shrine bonus this weekend to earn double Asura, Deldrimor, Ebon Vanguard, and Norn reputation points. Points for completed books are unaffected. This boost will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.

Happy 6th Anniversary, Guild Wars! &mdash; 28 April 2011
To celebrate the sixth anniversary of Guild wars, we will be holding a special weekend event from Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) on Thursday, April 28 through Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) on Friday, May 6. For more information on the festivities, check out the official website http://www.guildwars.com/.

Codex Arena Bonus Weekend &mdash; 15 April 2011
Enter the Codex Arena this weekend and earn double Balthazar faction points! You also gain double honor points for consecutive victories! The Codex Arena bonus weekend begins at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) on Friday and runs until Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT).

Double XP for elite captures and double green item drop rate &mdash; 1 April 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-7 GMT) this Friday, players will receive double experience for capturing elite skills. Instead of gaining 250 times their level in experience, players will receive 500 times their level in experience. Players will also have double odds of receiving green items from bosses. This bonus will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT) on Sunday.

Register for Guild Wars Guru Tourney!
Registration for Guild Wars Guru's 2011 GvG Championship Series is open until April 4! Head to the Guild Wars Guru forums for more information on how to participate!

Double Sunspear and Lightbringer Points
This weekend, get double Sunspear and Lightbringer points in both Hard Mode and regular gameplay. Obtain the bounty from a res shrine NPC and double your reward from Noon Pacific on Friday (25 March) through 11:59 PM Pacific on Sunday (27 March).

Double faction in competitive missions &mdash; 4 March 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT) this Friday, players who own Factions will receive double Kurzick and Luxon Faction for competing in the Jade Quarry and Fort Aspenwood competitive missions. This bonus will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.


 * Guild Wiki note: ANet originally (and mistakenly) announced the event as an EotN reputation weekend; the text was corrected on Friday, 4 March.

Double Luxon and Kurzick title points &mdash; 23 February 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT) this Friday, you will receive double points for exchanging 5,000 faction for Jadeite or Amber, for exchanging 3,000 faction for an alliance skill, and for transferring 5,000 faction to raise your alliance's reputation. This bonus will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.

Heroes' Ascent Bonus Weekend &mdash; 18 February 2011
Compete in Heroes' Ascent this weekend to earn double fame and double Balthazar faction, plus double chest loot for victories in the Hall of Heroes. The fun starts at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT) on Friday, and ends at 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.

Codex Arena Bonus Weekend &mdash; 11 February 2011
Enter the Codex Arena this weekend and earn double Balthazar faction points! You also gain double honor points for consecutive victories! The Codex Arena bonus weekend begins at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT) on Friday and runs until Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT).

Canthan New Year! &mdash; 3 February 2011
The Canthan New Year is here! Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Shing Jea Monastery from Feb 3 to Feb 7.

Triple key/lockpick drops AND double your luck points &mdash; 28 January 2011
This weekend through Sunday at 11:59 PM Pacific (-7 GMT), you'll find plenty of keys and lockpicks with the triple drop rate. Plus, you'll get double lucky/unlucky points for using lockpicks on chests.

Alliance Battles Bonus Weekend &mdash; 21 January 2011
Starting at Noon Pacific this Friday, you will earn double faction for participating in Alliance Battles. This boost will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.

Eye of the North Reputation Weekend &mdash; 14 January 2011
Complete quests and defeat foes while under the effect of a shrine bonus this weekend to earn double Asura, Deldrimor, Ebon Vanguard, and Norn reputation points. Points for completed books are unaffected. This boost will last through 11:59 PM Pacific (-8 GMT) on Sunday.