Alongside Epic Games Store Launch, here's all the end-of-year events in Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is making a big move before the year ends as the game is now available on Epic Games Store. After expanding into a new platform, ArenaNet also plans to release several exciting events to cap off the year, alongside the highly anticipated quarterly update titled Godspawn, part of the Janthir Wilds expansion.
In a recent blog post, ArenaNet outlined a short roadmap of upcoming changes to many of Guild Wars 2's gameplay opportunities and holiday events that will carry over well into 2025, ensuring players will have enough content throughout the holidays.
When is Guild Wars 2 coming to Epic Games Store?
As per the latest blog post (November 12, 2024), the developer did not provide confirmed dates for the game's availability on the new platform, with only a vague "later this month" timeframe.
However, ArenaNet launched Guild Wars 2 on the Epic Games Store a day later, armed with a brand new trailer to showcase the game's growth over the years. Players can sign into their Epic Games account and download the game for free.
Base game aside, Epic Games Store hosts the previous expansions, their various iterations, and the ongoing Janthir Wilds expansion. Furthermore, prices have remained standard and will likely feature discounts during sale events, similar to Steam sales.
Guild Wars 2's end-of-the-year events
Guild Wars 2 will receive multiple back-to-back events to keep players engaged during the festive season. Starting with the Halloween special Shadow of the Mad King event which ended at the beginning of November 2024, in-game festivities will not end until well into 2025.
The first event in this chain is the New Hero Jump Start Event, which began on November 12, 2024, and is currently ongoing. The event is aimed at newer players and returning veterans who want to hop into action with a new character and new toys.
During this event, players will receive a 50% Experience boost from all sources, a 30% Magic Find, a WvW Reward Track, and a PvP Reward Track boost. Furthermore, players will receive a choice of Dreambound Exotic-tier weapon that will level up corresponding with the player, making it endgame viable. Those who complete this event's exclusive achievements will snag a 20-slot inventory bag for their troubles.
Following this event is the Evon Gnashblade's "Birthday" Celebration, which will run from November 25 to December 2, 2024. No details have been provided, but considering Gnashblade's connection to the Black Lion Trading Post, it is likely that the trade house will be involved. Players should look out for discounts on items such as Infinite Salvage Kits, Infinite Harvesting Kits, Glider skins, Mount skins, etc.
Gnashblade's Birthday Celebration will be followed by a week's peace, after which the Wintersday event will begin. Wintersday, ArenaNet's signature Christmas-themed event will see players take on daunting jumping puzzles and Toxx inside Tixx's Infinirarium while giving gifts to Tyrian children. This event will begin on December 10 and continue until January 2, 2025.
These events, alongside the upcoming Godspawn quarterly narrative release, give Guild Wars 2 players a substantial chunk of content to chew through. The release schedule won't slow even as 2025 rolls, as the Lunar New Year event is slated to begin shortly in the new year.