Guild Wars 2 launches for Steam on August 23

NCSOFT and ArenaNet have announced that MMORPG Guild Wars 2 will launch for Steam on August 23.

If that sounds familiar, that's because Guild Wars 2 had a Steam release announced back in 2020, but plans were delayed shortly afterward. Guild Wars 2 originally released on August 28, 2012, so the release on Steam nearly coincides with the MMORPG's tenth anniversary.

A Guild Wars 2 Complete Collection bundle will be available for $98.97, which includes the game's three expansions (Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire, End of Dragons), and all five seasons of the game’s episodic Living World. A play-for-free version of the game will also be available on Steam, which includes the "core Guild Wars 2 experience". Players on both Steam and the NCSOFT first-party Guild Wars 2 client will be able to play together on the same servers.

In addition, Guild Wars 2 will also begin Twitch Drop support on August 23, with the first campaign running from August 23 to August 28. Exclusive in-game rewards - such as outfits and experience boosters - can be obtained by watching their streamers playing Guild Wars 2 on Twitch.

The announcement trailer and details from NCSOFT and Arenanet can be found below. The official website is here.

The award-winning Guild Wars 2 launches on Steam on Tuesday, Aug. 23, marking the first time the critically-acclaimed MMORPG will be available on a third-party platform. Widely hailed as one of the most beloved PC games of all time, the subscription-free online world of Tyria celebrates its 10th birthday this month by opening the doors of adventure to a new group of players.

“Guild Wars 2 has delighted over 16 million players for a decade with its subscription-free business model, epic collaborative open-world boss encounters, and revolutionary mount system,” said Kendall Boyd, Senior Vice President of Marketing at NCSOFT West. “By launching on Steam, a whole new audience of players who have never had the chance to adventure with us will be able to experience one of the greatest fantasy worlds in gaming. Everyone at NCSOFT and ArenaNet is excited to welcome them into our amazing community.”

To coincide with the launch, a new content bundle will be available for Steam players: the Guild Wars 2 Complete Collection. Priced at $98.97, the bundle lets players experience all three expansions (Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire, End of Dragons), and all five seasons of the game’s episodic Living World that bridge the gap between the game’s main narrative arcs. The Complete Collection contains the first 10 years of Guild Wars 2 in one amazing package, from the first steps into its epic virtual world all the way to the explosive climax of Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons.

The Aug. 23 release on Steam also marks the official beginning of Guild Wars 2’s support of Twitch Drops. By watching their favorite streamers playing Guild Wars 2 on Twitch, players will be able to earn exclusive in-game character rewards including classic outfits, experience boosters, and even a unique Glowing Purple Mask cosmetic. The first Twitch Drop rewards campaign begins on Aug. 23 and ends on Aug. 28.

Steam users can add the game to their wishlist beginning today before it goes live at 12 PM PDT on Aug. 23. Players on both Steam and the NCSOFT first-party Guild Wars 2 client will be able to play together on the same servers.