Guild Wars 2 is set to receive the new expansion End of Dragons in February. However, even though February starts next week, there is still no release date. Many fans fear a delay or at least a lack of hype.
Update 19: 30: In line with the article, ArenaNet has now announced the release date announcement. On February 1, it will be revealed when the expansion will be released (via GW2).
What is the problem? The new expansion End of Dragons is on the verge of release. Recently, MeinMMO even tried out some initial content and documented our experience. It has been clear since July 2021 that End of Dragons is supposed to be released in February 2022. But the developers have not provided more specifics.
Recently, there have been several new tweets, including a video and a post about pre-orders. In both, the release is still mentioned as “in February.” However, many players are wondering why there is still no concrete release date, especially since February starts next week.
On Reddit and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, concerns are now rising that the release may be delayed again. Many see no other reason why there is still no concrete date.
Furthermore, the mood among fans is beginning to shift because they are hyping themselves up for the expansion and some even want to take vacation days for it. However, that is not possible without a release date.
Fans fear missing hype or an unfinished expansion
What do players fear? On Reddit for Guild Wars 2, there are currently two threads discussing the topic:
- One discusses a now-deleted tweet from developer Josh “Grouch” Davis. It mentions that the announcement for the release date is a “big moment” that must “reach far beyond the core audience.”
- The other is titled “It’s okay if the release in February is not set in stone, but then just tell us.” In it, a user talks about how a delay becomes more likely the longer the developers refuse to commit to a specific date.
In the thread surrounding the tweet, there is much ridicule for the marketing team, precisely because there is still no release date.
However, fans of Guild Wars 2 are expressing their concerns in both threads. And these concerns are very different:
- One user writes that it would already be too late to generate real hype outside the fan bubble. After all, February is so packed that people have already planned their time.
- Some users complain that they can no longer take vacation for the release because the time window is now too tight.
- Others criticize that they themselves are losing hype because there are too few concrete statements. They fear that if the expansion releases in February, it might be unfinished, just to make it in time for the month.
- One user also states that ArenaNet could have simply provided a late date in February, and if they finished earlier, they would still have time for further testing.
Are there also positive voices? Yes, the user Lordkrall, for example, is confident that with a release in February:
They have repeatedly affirmed in recent weeks that it will be released in February. Why would they say that if they weren’t sure they could do it? If they were uncertain, they wouldn’t say February or next month; they would rather say soon or in the near future.
Several other users also view the situation more relaxed, especially as many expect that the expansion, like the two before it, will release on a Friday, allowing the weekend for gaming.
Is a major story transition planned for January?
What other explanations exist? A small theory has emerged on Reddit, revolving around the Lunar New Year. This is an annual event celebrating the Chinese New Year, starting on January 25.
According to the theory, there might be a special story event during the celebration that the developers do not want to spoil in advance, which is somehow related to the release date. After all, the new expansion leads to the Asian continent Cantha.
However, this theory would contradict developer Grouch’s statement that the release date should reach a larger audience than just the core players.
What do you think, why are ArenaNet taking so long with the date? Do you also fear a delay?
Everything about the expansion End of Dragons has been summarized for you here:
Guild Wars 2: Everything we know about the new expansion End of Dragons
