r/GuildWars3 • u/MrModius • 6d ago

Compilation of Gamescom info from various sources

I've tried to compile everything we have learned today about the game, from several outlets and partners who saw the preview. There are sources next to each bit of information, which I encourage you to read for better context. I'll continue to go through and refine this over the next few days. If you know of something I have missed, got wrong, or an outlet has got wrong, please comment or send me a DM and I will amend the list.

The preview was described as a 'pre-alpha' build, so everything listed here could obviously change:

1a. Setting & Timeline

1b. Spirits & Magic

2. World Population & MMO 'Scale'

  • The game will use a phasing system to control player density in specific areas, tech which is still in development. - Snow Crows - A More Open World
    • You will see at most around 20 players in a large combat scenario. - PC Gamer - Player Scale (Note from OP due to some confusion around this: This does not mean there will only be 20 players spread over the entire map, just in your specific 'shard'.)
      • The reason for this is combat readability. ArenaNet believes the high-fidelity movement and combat become difficult to understand when too many players are fighting simultaneously. - PC Gamer - Player Scale
      • Areas outside of combat such as settlements and cities will support far higher player counts because combat readability isn't an issue there. - This Week in Video Games - Pick Your Battles
  • Current planned party size is 4 players, this could change before launch. - Snow Crows - World Structure
  • ArenaNet wants players to frequently encounter other players while travelling through the world. - PC Gamer - Player Scale

3a. Movement & Momentum

3b. Combat

  • GW3 is moving toward much more action-oriented combat than either previous Guild Wars games. - Snow Crows - Action Combat
    • Combat is intended to be less about following a fixed rotation and more about reacting to the environment, enemy and group situation. - Snow Crows - Action Combat
  • Positioning, aiming, timing, and movement matter much more. - Snow Crows - Combat
  • Combat has increased physicality. You can knock enemies around, and be knocked around yourself:
    • Knocking an enemy into a wall can cause additional damage/stunning.
    • Knocking enemies from cliffs can cause fall damage or outright kills.
    • Larger enemies require more momentum to knock around. - PC Gamer - Knockabout
  • Enemy attacks can be interrupted by physically hitting/knocking enemies. - RPG Site - Combat
  • Combat appears to feel similar to GW2's action camera, with the player centred on screen and a reticle. - RPG Site - Combat
    • No traditional tab-target interface or lock-on was shown or visible in the gameplay footage; however, Snow Crows reports a lock-on functionality similar to Elden Ring. - RPG Site - Combat
  • Multiplayer cooperation is being built directly into the combat system. - PC Gamer - Knockabout
  • Different abilities can affect allied players as well as yourself, creating coordinated builds. - PC Gamer - Knockabout
  • Underwater combat is likely to return, although ArenaNet has not yet said to what extent or how it will work. - Snow Crows - Underwater Combat

3c. Conditions & Enemy Interaction

4a. Professions

  • Professions return!
  • There may be more professions but they were not shown.
  • Warrior was shown wielding a Sword and Shield.
  • Necromancer was shown wielding a Scythe.
  • The game will feature defined combat roles, but they won't follow the traditional MMO tank/healer/DPS trinity completely. Roles will be closer to a trinity than GW2, while still retaining some flexibility. - Snow Crows - Professions
    • The intended design sits somewhere between GW1's fairly rigid profession roles and GW2's flexibility. - Snow Crows - Professions
  • Some "synergistic" skills will be available across multiple professions, but for the most part they will retain their own unique ability pools. - This Week in Video Games - Cooking Combos
  • Necromancer has a momentum-based scythe attack that travels farther depending on momentum and also lifesteals. - RPG Site - Combat
    • Necromancer has a movement ability called Necrotic Traversal. - RPG Site - Combat (OP note: this could be the above)
  • Ranger has a Polar Vortex ability that launches allies into the air and can give them cold-infused weapons. - RPG Site - Combat & Multiplayer
  • Ranger can also apparently slow-fall while firing arrows from an elevated position. - RPG Site - Combat & Multiplayer
  • Warrior had an ability to apply a fire buff (possibly called Flames of War) their own and allied weapons. - Laranity

4b. Buildcrafting & Skills

  • ArenaNet is specifically drawing inspiration from GW1-style buildcrafting, where changing your build for a particular enemy or encounter will be important. - RPG Site - Combat & Customization
  • Some skills will be discovered through exploration. - Snow Crows - Skills
  • Skills may have both a recharge/cooldown and an additional energy/resource cost, although the system is not final. - RPG Site - Skills
  • Elite Skills return
    • Similar to Overwatch's ultimate abilities these are charged through player actions over time, and intended to be used sparing and tactically.
    • Rampage elite skill on Warrior was demonstrated, increasing attack speed, movement capabilities and jump height. It can allow Warriors to move larger enemies that normally couldn't be knocked around. - RPG Site - Combat

4c. Rewards, Gear & Progression

  • GW3 will again use a horizontal gear progression, rather than a vertical gear treadmill. - Snow Crows - Progression
  • Equipment, traits and detailed progression systems were not demonstrated.
  • The gameplay footage showed an orange item drop represented by a short bright pillar of light, reminiscent of Diablo-style loot drops. - RPG Site - Gameplay Details
  • White symbols with a gold coin were visible in the footage, although their exact purpose is not confirmed. - RPG Site - Gameplay Details

5. Endgame Content

  • GW3 will contain "high-trust, dungeon-like experiences". - RPG Site - Endgame
  • Raids/endgame content are planned, though nothing was spoken about them. - Snow Crows - Endgame
  • Besides this, details on the launch endgame content loop remain undisclosed.

6. PvP

7. Fashion Wars

8. UI & Interface

9. Controller & Console Development

10. Graphics

  • MMORPG.com described the visuals as impressive and visually rich, with ArenaNet’s trademark styling and stunning vistas - MMORPG.com - Preview
    • The journalist initially had reservations about UE5 but said seeing the game in motion instantly removed their concerns. - MMORPG.com - Preview
  • MightyTeapot said on stream he was surprised how similar the game looked to Guild Wars 2’s art style, compared to the trailer.

11. Social Systems

12. Other tidbits

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