Guild Wars Reforged launches with three campaigns at $19.99, Steam Deck verified after 20-year run

Photo of author

By TGT Staff

Guild Wars Reforged Interactive Guide

Guild Wars Reforged Launches on December 3, 2025

Classic MMO Returns with Modern Features, Controller Support, and All Three Campaigns

✨ Now Live on Steam & Official Store

ArenaNet launched Guild Wars Reforged on December 3, 2025, delivering substantial improvements to the 2005 MMO that defined subscription-free online gaming. The updated version includes all three campaigns—Prophecies, Nightfall, and Factions—at $19.99 for new players, while existing owners receive the update automatically with access to all campaigns regardless of previous purchases. Players who owned even one campaign before the launch now have access to all three at no additional cost.

The release represents ArenaNet’s partnership with development studio 2weeks to modernize the classic game while preserving its original design. Game director Stephen Clarke-Willson confirmed the team’s focus on supporting current player habits, including gaming on large displays and handheld devices. The update addresses technical compatibility for modern hardware while maintaining the game’s established mechanics and content structure. Players who complete achievements in Guild Wars Reforged can unlock rewards in Guild Wars 2 through the Hall of Monuments system.

20
Years of Guild Wars
3
Campaigns Included
$19.99
New Player Price
FREE
For Existing Owners

Two Decades of Guild Wars History

April 2005
Guild Wars Prophecies launches on April 28, 2005, introducing subscription-free MMO gaming to players worldwide.
April 2006
Factions expansion releases on April 28, 2006, adding the continent of Cantha and new player factions to the game world.
October 2006
Nightfall expansion launches on October 27, 2006, with the region of Elona, introducing hero companions and new professions.
August 2007
Eye of the North expansion adds endgame content on August 31, 2007, and establishes connections to Guild Wars 2 lore.
April 2025
20th Anniversary Masterpiece Collection celebrates two decades of Guild Wars with community events and renewed interest.
December 2025
Guild Wars Reforged launches on December 3, 2025, with quality-of-life improvements, Steam Deck support, and controller integration.

Technical Improvements in Reforged

🎮
Controller Support
Full XInput gamepad integration designed specifically for MMO gameplay, optimized for Steam Deck and handheld devices with on-screen control guides.
🖥️
High-DPI Displays
Native support for modern high-resolution monitors and 4K displays with improved UI scaling and six interface size options.
Enhanced Graphics
Improved visual effects including dynamic sky bloom, new ambient occlusion, updated HD icons, and lighting enhancements while preserving the original art style.
📱
Big Screen Support
Optimized interface for television displays and large-format screens for living room gaming with larger text options.
🔊
Audio Updates
Rebuilt audio system using OpenAL Soft, adding real 3D sound effects, improved reverb, and environmental audio compatible with modern Windows systems.
🎯
Quality of Life
New quest tracking system, refined user interface, and improved accessibility features meeting modern gaming standards.

Compare Edition Features

Explore what each version includes and choose the right option

Included Campaigns
Prophecies, Factions, and Nightfall campaigns are bundled together. All three campaigns unlock automatically for existing owners of any single campaign.
Pricing Structure
New players pay $19.99 for the complete package. Existing campaign owners receive the full Reforged update at no cost.
Platform Availability
Available through ArenaNet’s official store and Steam. Steam version includes full Steam Deck verification and integration.
Update Commitment
ArenaNet confirmed ongoing collaboration with 2weeks studio for continued improvements beyond the initial launch.
Separate Purchase Required
Eye of the North expansion and Bonus Mission Pack remain available as separate purchases through the in-game store and Steam.
Hall of Monuments Access
Eye of the North provides access to the Hall of Monuments, which tracks achievements for unlocking rewards in Guild Wars 2.
Content Bridge
The expansion serves as a narrative bridge between Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2, featuring storylines that connect both games.
Additional Content
Includes endgame dungeons, new skills, and additional areas not available in the base campaigns.
Platform Matching Required
Guild Wars Reforged and Guild Wars 2 accounts must use matching login methods—both ArenaNet accounts or both Steam accounts—for Hall of Monuments linking.
ArenaNet Account Linking
Guild Wars 2 players using ArenaNet login should purchase Guild Wars Reforged through the official website for proper account connection.
Steam Account Linking
Guild Wars 2 players using Steam login should purchase Guild Wars Reforged through Steam after December 3, 2025, for automatic account linking.
Existing Account Note
All Guild Wars accounts created before December 3, 2025, are considered ArenaNet accounts, even if originally purchased through Steam.

Access Options for Guild Wars Reforged

Existing Players
FREE
Automatic Update
  • All campaigns unlocked
  • Complete feature access
  • Preserved progress
  • Hall of Monuments linked
Access Now
Eye of the North
Separate
Additional Purchase
  • Expansion content
  • Hall of Monuments
  • Guild Wars 2 rewards
  • Bonus Mission Pack option
View Options

The partnership between ArenaNet and 2weeks studio, formed in 2024 from former ArenaNet developers with over 14 years of combined experience on the original game, enables the continued development. Stephen Clarke-Willson stated that the positive reception to the 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Collection reinforced the drive to keep the classic MMO active, noting that player behavior on big-screen TVs and handheld devices informed the focus on controller support and display compatibility.

Guild Wars Reforged was announced on November 18, 2025, and launched on December 3, 2025. The game maintains its original subscription-free model, with the three main campaigns available for $19.99 as a bundled package for new players. The Eye of the North expansion remains available as a separate purchase through both ArenaNet’s official store and Steam, with account linking to Guild Wars 2 requiring matching platform login methods for Hall of Monuments reward transfers.

Experience the Reforged World of Tyria

Guild Wars Reforged is available now on Steam and through ArenaNet’s official store. The update includes all three main campaigns with modern technical improvements and continued development planned for the future.

Leave a comment