ArenaNet says Guild Wars 3's ancient Orr setting will entice hardcore fans who 'care deeply' about the lore, but it also means 'it's the perfect time for new people to come join the Guild Wars franchise'

ArenaNet has announced that Guild Wars 3 will take place in ancient Orr, a location 1,000 years before the events of the first Guild Wars game. This decision is aimed at appealing to both hardcore fans who deeply care about the game's lore and new players who are just discovering the franchise. Studio head Colin Johanson stated that the game is very much for fans who are invested in the lore, as much of Guild Wars history and lore originates from ancient Orr.

The studio has been encouraging fans to ask for more information about this time period for over a decade.

Johanson explained that while the game's setting might seem lore-heavy, it is also designed for newcomers. He assured that players do not need to have played the first two games to understand the story. This period of time has only a small amount of recorded history released outside of the studio, giving new players the opportunity to dive into the world without prior experience.

Johanson emphasized that everyone will learn everything together, and while hardcore fans will recognize certain species, characters, and locations, everyone starts on equal footing.

Guild Wars 3 does not have a confirmed release date yet, but a beta is planned for Fall 2027. The game will be available on PC and PlayStation 5.