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Flameseeker Chronicles: Thoughts about Guild Wars 2's living story
With Guild Wars 2's first multi-month living story arc drawing to a close, I thought this might be a good time to do a little bit of reflection on how the living story is treating Guild Wars 2 so far. Sure, what we've seen so far isn't necessarily indicative of the way things are always going to be, but it's a good starting point. (In fact, it's our only starting point. Unless, of course, you like rampant and foundless speculation as a starting point. This is, after all, the internet.) To expand the conversation a bit, I think we're including holiday updates as part of the living story. It's seasonal, but it also fits into the grander scheme of providing changing content to keep the world moving and to keep players engaged. That means that what we've seen to date includes all of Flame and Frost, Wintersday, Halloween, and the Lost Shores event. Also, I guess the Super Adventure Box? I mean, it's returning and it had a lore tie-in and stuff. Maybe? I'm not sold.
Flameseeker Chronicles: There's something in the water in Guild Wars 2
October is gone, and with it went the Mad King. He's returned to his realm, and if the number of his slippers I have piled up in the corners of my bank vault is any indication, he's ill-prepared to deal with any sudden drops in temperature. On the first day of November, Lion's Arch citizens marveled at the sudden disappearance of all the festive decorations, applauded the continuity of the lion statue's still being absent from the Piazza, and set about life as normal. Until they saw the whales.
Flameseeker Chronicles: Preparing for the Mad King in Guild Wars 2
By now, Lion's Arch probably looks a little different than we're used to. It had already taken on a decidedly ghoulish cast in Guild Wars by Friday, so I guess the Mad King's influence shifted by a few calendar days over the course of the 250 years between Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2. Longtime fans of the original game don't need a lot of convincing to get anxious for the fulfillment of the spooky foreshadowing that's been going on for the past week or two. For those of you whose knowledge of Tyrian lore is either developing or a wee bit rusty, let's take a look at what's in store. Let us begin with a question. Why can't you borrow money from a Dwarf?
Guild Wars 2: Shadow of the Mad King begins today [Updated]
The Mad King Thorn is back and he's more loony than ever! Guild Wars 2 unleashes the Mad King today in its first big update for the game. ArenaNet said that this update includes a mind-blowing 80 new pieces of content that revolve around a four-act story running from October 22nd through the 31st. In addition to the new story, the Shadow of the Mad King update includes trick or treating, special crafting recipes, decorations across the world, mini-dungeons, achievements, and themed events. The Mad King was a crowd favorite in the original Guild Wars, so there's certainly high expectations to see what he'll be doing this time around. [Update: The team will be hosting a livestream devoted to the update today at 4:30 p.m. EDT.]
Guild Wars 2's Shadow of the Mad King video, content schedule
The Mad King hasn't been seen in Tyria for 250 years, which means it's about time for a reappearance! Guild Wars 2 is on the verge of its first major content update, and ArenaNet just shared a schedule for the Halloween story. Act one will begin on October 22nd, with the subsequent acts following on the 26th, 28th, and 31st. To whet your appetite for this spooky update, there's also a new video with a content tease, so head on over to the content page or check it out past the break. If Guild Wars is more your speed, remember that traditional Halloween festivities will be commencing Friday, October 19th.
The Mad King comes to Guild Wars 2 on October 22nd
Mad King Thorn hasn't been seen in Tyria for over 250 years. Well, lore years, that is. He was actually seen this time about a year ago in the original Guild Wars, which as you know has since given way to its much-heralded sequel. Guild Wars 2's first Halloween event is called Shadow of the Mad King, and ArenaNet has announced that it will go live on October 22nd. Look for "new minigames, new dynamic events, and more," according to the blurb on the GW2 official site. There's even "an epic adventure in four acts" that runs through October 31st!
