Special Edition Released to Celebrate 20 Years of the Global Long-Running IP Guild Wars
Proving Its Ongoing Strength as an Active Title
Creating a Virtuous Cycle by Satisfying Nostalgia and Attracting New Users
Supporting Global Market Expansion
Experience Expected to Inform Aion 2 Launch Strategy
NCSoft's PC-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) 'Guild Wars' celebrated its 20th anniversary on April 28. When Guild Wars launched in 2005, it broke with convention by introducing a model that did not require a monthly subscription fee, presenting new possibilities for the MMORPG market. Since then, it has maintained a strong user base and established itself as a long-running global IP. Recently, the release of the special '20th Anniversary Masterpiece Collection' has further solidified its presence.
Recently, the gaming industry has seen a surge in the reimagining and relaunching of beloved legacy intellectual properties (IP) from the past. Titles such as Blade & Soul NEO, Mabinogi Mobile, and RF Online Next are part of a major trend of reinterpretation designed to evoke nostalgia among users. Guild Wars, too, continues to enjoy enduring popularity by satisfying users' nostalgia for its long-established universe and characters. In particular, it is regarded as a model case, having successfully expanded its IP through the sequel 'Guild Wars 2' while maintaining the original service.
The fact that Guild Wars is still an active title makes its longevity even more meaningful. Its community remains vibrant to this day, and there is a noticeable trend of returning players bringing new users with them. Guild Wars Game Director Stephen Clarke-Wilson stated in an interview with foreign media, "A virtuous cycle continues as returning users bring friends along, leading to an influx of new players." With the recent release of the special '20th Anniversary Masterpiece Collection,' the number of users seeking out Guild Wars is expected to increase even further.
By servicing the Guild Wars series and Throne and Liberty, NCSoft has confirmed the steady demand for MMORPGs in the global market. The insights gained from years of servicing Guild Wars?regarding the characteristics and play styles of global users?are expected to be valuable assets in formulating global strategies for other games.
NCSoft is currently preparing for the global launch of 'Aion 2,' one of this year's most highly anticipated titles. Both Aion and Guild Wars share a strategic approach of expanding their IPs by maintaining the original while introducing new elements. In particular, the experience accumulated through the Guild Wars service is expected to play a key role in the global rollout of Aion 2.
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