Guild Wars Reforged is a modernization update to the original MMORPG, not a remake or a new game with exclusive content. Released on December 3, 2025, it adds controller and Steam Deck support, interface and display improvements, visual and audio refinements, and guidance tools while keeping the classic gameplay intact. Existing owners receive the three main campaigns through the update, and their progress and inventory carry over.
What Guild Wars Reforged is—and what it is not
ArenaNet announced Reforged on November 18, 2025, following the community response to the 20th anniversary of Guild Wars: Prophecies. The work was developed with 2weeks, a small team formed in 2024 by former ArenaNet staff. ArenaNet said the team had more than 14 years of combined experience working on the original game at the studio. ArenaNet’s announcement frames the release as a way to make the 2005-era game work better on current systems.
The official FAQ describes Reforged as an update focused on modernization and quality-of-life improvements. The underlying Guild Wars experience and core gameplay remain the same; this is not a separate sequel or a rebuilt game with exclusive Reforged content. The official FAQ explains the distinction and answers ownership and account questions.
What changes in Reforged
The update addresses the friction of playing an older PC game on modern displays and with newer input methods. Improvements listed by ArenaNet include:
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- Guild Wars allows you to instantly travel to the beginning of any quest that you've previously unlocked. You'll never spend days playing only to discover that choices you made early on have left you with a permanently uncompetitive character, because the unique skill system in Guild Wars allows infinite experimentation but doesn't allow bad decisions to ruin a character. And you'll never meet new players only to discover that you can't play with them or compete against them because their characters are on a different server than yours; in Guild Wars, all characters live in one seamless world.
- Presenting Guild Wars a Competitive Online Role Playing Game with an emphasis on tactical combat. In single player multiplayer and guild-based missions players will explore a fantasy world while pursuing professions and gaining skills that help them develop and advance their unique character.Guild Wars is the first title from Seattle-based ArenaNet which was founded by key members of the creative teams behind the hit games Warcraft StarCraft and Diablo as well as Battle.net the most-successful gaming network in the world.Guild Wars offers cooperative group combat single player missions and large head-to-head guild battles. While each combat experience will be different achievements will be permanent so that the character grows and progresses over time. Unique items special abilities and a wide variety of skills add meaningful value for the player and for his comrades. Missions are not scripted adventures but are tactical battlegrounds where victory or loss is determined by skill and teamwork. Free Online Play (Internet Connection Required)
- The game includes integrated support for guilds, with guild banners and halls, chat rooms and forums -- guilds can challenge other guilds to battle, compete for control of key parts of the world, and be ranked on a worldwide ladder
- Unique Streaming Technology ArenaNet's unique streaming technology forever eliminates the concept of patching a game. You don't have to wait a month for the next big patch to experience new content. Instead, the game constantly and intelligently streams new content to your computer in the background while you play. The world can change continually. This allows us to build a much more dynamic game world than any that has existed before.
- Built for Competition After learning the game and building up your first character, you may choose to test your skills in head-to-head competition or guild warfare. The game is designed to reward player skill and teamwork, not time spent playing, so you won't need to spend hundreds of hours leveling up your character to compete. The game includes integrated support for guilds, with guild banners and halls, chat rooms and forums. Guilds can challenge other guilds to battle, compete for control of key parts of the world, and be ranked on a worldwide ladder.
- Modern controls: controller support for XInput hardware, with the Xbox Wireless Controller named as an example, plus Steam Deck verification.
- More readable display options: larger text and support for high-DPI displays.
- Interface guidance: a redesigned interface, a quest tracker, and an on-screen control guide.
- Visual refinements: dynamic sky bloom, ambient occlusion, lighting changes, refined textures, HD skill icons, and antialiasing.
- Audio improvements: positional audio and a rebuilt audio system with environmental effects.
These are usability and presentation changes, not a promise that every modern device has been individually tested. A controller is optional: players can continue using keyboard and mouse. ArenaNet’s feature page lists the supported input approach and update features.
Campaigns included and what remains separate
The Reforged package brings together Guild Wars’ three main campaigns. Eye of the North and the Bonus Mission Pack are not part of that bundle, and some account upgrades and costumes remain separate as well.
Rank #2
- Discover the island of Castora – You’ll explore a remote island flowing with magic as you investigate suspicious Inquest activity.
- Tyria United elite specializations – Nine new elite specializations bring a new theme and playstyle to each profession with an updated profession mechanic and new utility skills.
- A year of adventure and rewards – Over the year of content, you’ll explore 4 brand-new maps, fight in new raid encounters and challenge modes, earn legendary rewards, unlock a new homestead map, and more.
- Comes with 1 Level 80 Booster & shared inventory slot – If you can’t wait to see the expansion content, this Booster will put you at max level so you can start your journey in Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity right away!
| Content | Included in Reforged? |
|---|---|
| Prophecies | Yes |
| Factions | Yes |
| Nightfall | Yes |
| Eye of the North | No; sold separately |
| Bonus Mission Pack | No; sold separately |
| Some account upgrades and costumes | No; sold separately |
At announcement, ArenaNet set the bundled PC price at $19.99. That was the announced price in November 2025, not a guarantee of today’s price or of the price in every region; check the current ArenaNet or Steam store listing before buying.
If you already own Guild Wars
ArenaNet said that an owner of any one of the three main campaigns would receive access to all three included campaigns through Reforged. The official FAQ also says existing character progress and inventory carry over. The update was described as free for existing players, so an owner should check their account and purchase history before buying another copy.
Rank #3
- Befriend new allies in Janthir —a dangerous land that was once home to the strange mursaat and their White Mantle sycophants in the time of the original Guild Wars. Explore, fight, and learn more about the mysteries of Tyria’s past.
- Build your own homestead, an account-wide personal instance with a structure and land for you to decorate and cultivate. Homesteads will share unlockable features with your home instance, such as gathering nodes and gardening plots.
- Wield a new weapon type for land combat: the two-handed spear. Initially designed exclusively for underwater combat, Janthir Wilds gives you the opportunity to freely swap between aquatic and terrestrial weapon slots, each with unique weapon skills.
- Master your updated warclaw mount, featuring its own Mastery line and a new path to obtaining it. Armed with a broad range of abilities, this formidable companion will help you take down some of the most ferocious enemies.
- Comes with 1 Level 80 Booster & shared inventory slot – If you can’t wait to see the expansion content, this Booster will put you at max level so you can start your journey in Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds right away!
How ArenaNet and Steam accounts work
The account history matters more than simply where an older copy was purchased. The FAQ classifies Guild Wars accounts created before December 3, 2025 as ArenaNet accounts—including accounts for games purchased through Steam. Those players can use their existing ArenaNet credentials in the updated client.
Accounts newly created on Steam after launch use Steam login. Purchase and linking rules differ by platform, so returning players should read the Guild Wars support FAQ before creating a new account, buying another copy, or linking accounts. The support guidance also says accounts must be on the same platform for Guild Wars 2 Hall of Monuments rewards.
Rank #4
- ALL-NEW MULTIPLAYER MOUNT - The multiplayer Siege Turtle can bear two riders: one to handle the turtle, and another to operate the weapons strapped to its shell. Raise your own walking war machine and take a friend out for combat adventures!
- JADE BOTS are a hero's best friend, powered by innovative jade tech. Unlock your own bot and train their Mastery line to help them learn new abilities like gliding boosts, personal waypoints, and more. Customize yours to suit your adventures!
- EXPLORE THE CANTHAN CONTINENT - Over two centuries ago, the Empire of the Dragon severed all bonds with central Tyria and Elona. Cantha has its own history of turmoil and triumph, reflected in ancient landmarks, enduring artistry, and modern life.
- SKIFFS & FISHING- Your personal skiff is your home away from home on the waves. Explore, relax or drop the anchor to fish up over two hundred unique species around Tyria. Ferry your whole party from shore to shore and claim victory in fishing events.
- Comes with 1 Level 80 Booster & shared inventory slot – If you can’t wait to see the expansion content, this Booster will put you at max level so you can start your journey in Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons right away!
Steam Deck and controller use
ArenaNet lists Steam Deck verification and modern controller support, including XInput devices such as the Xbox Wireless Controller. You do not need a controller to play. For Steam Deck, the official product information says a Steam purchase is required to run the game from a Steam library; an earlier Steam purchase is automatically upgraded and can be played on Deck with existing credentials. See the official Reforged page for those platform details.
Mobile plans announced for summer 2026
In an April 29, 2026 press release, NCSOFT said an iOS and Android version was planned for that summer. The announced mobile client was to be free and ad-supported, with the Prophecies campaign available and other campaign content offered as paid add-ons. According to that announcement, buying campaign add-ons would remove ads and allow ArenaNet account login and cross-device character and progress syncing. Existing Reforged owners with ArenaNet accounts were described as able to sync purchases and progress to an ad-free mobile experience without buying them again.
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- Uncover the secrets hidden in the skies: the truth behind the Wizard's Tower and Tyria's place in the cosmos. With new allies in the Astral Ward, you'll fight to defend Tyria from the ravages of the Kryptis, a strange army invading through the Mists.
- Join the Astral Ward and embark on a quest to seal rifts – tears in the fabric of reality – as Kryptis forces crawl into Tyria from the Mists to threaten our newfound peace. As you progress through the ranks, you'll take on increasingly deadly prey.
- Experience all-new flexibility in combat customization. Relics augment your build with special l effects, combined with a streamlined and revamped rune system. Unlock access to weapons that were once exclusive to elite specializations/professions.
- Unlock your skyscale mount and use the skyscale and new Masteries to explore three epic new maps including the Skywatch Archipelago, Ammnytas, and Nayos -the first ever map out of the world of Tyria set in the demon realm, aka the Realm of Dreams.
- Comes with 1 Level 80 Booster & shared inventory slot – If you can’t wait to see the expansion content, this Booster will put you at max level so you can start your journey in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure right away!
Those are terms in the dated announcement, not confirmation of current mobile availability or store conditions. Check NCSOFT’s April 29, 2026 release and current app listings for the latest status. NCSOFT also reported a 500% increase in players logging in during launch week, but did not state the comparison baseline or measurement method; treat it as the company’s figure, not an independently verified benchmark.
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