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'Guild Wars 2' goes free as expansion approaches

'Guild Wars 2' promotes social behavior

Multiplayer online adventure "Guild Wars 2" made a surprise switch from paid to free over the weekend, ahead of a major content add-on arriving in October.

The well-received Mac and Windows MMO "Guild Wars 2" launched in August 2012 and, on its three-year anniversary, development studio ArenaNet announced the induction of free accounts for its paid-for game.

Going free-to-play has become a rite of passage for many MMOs, but "Guild Wars 2" had not required a subscription membership. Instead, it was "buy once, play forever."

Instead, players can buy virtual gems for real money, and then spend those gems on in-game items -- primarily on cosmetic items to enhance an in-game character. Additionally, virtual equipment either found, won or created can be bought and sold through ArenaNet's auction house.

The system's success depends in part on fostering a spirit of generosity between players and the studio, creating a virtuous circle in which players feel good about spending a little extra. Making "Guild Wars 2" free extends the reach of that circle.

"When we say 'Guild Wars 2' is buy-to-play, we're only asking you to buy one thing: the current release, 'Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns,'" explains ArenaNet president Mike O'Brien. "We're making the core game experience free because we're confident that anyone who loves Guild Wars 2 will buy Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns."

Buying the expansion also lifts the three major restrictions that free players will have been subject to: fewer character slots and bag slots, an anti-spam protection measure for the game's chat channels, and a level restriction to ensure players go through the game's main areas in the right order.

At the same time, as many veteran players migrate into "Heart of Thorns," those that prefer to stay behind, or those joining for the first time, will find that there are still other people to play with throughout the existing "Guild Wars 2."

"Heart of Thorns" arrives on October 23 and can be pre-ordered now.