Question 1

What is Guild Wars 1?

Accepted Answer

Guild Wars 1 is the award-winning cooperative online roleplaying game (CORPG) from ArenaNet, launched in April 2005. It pioneered buy-to-play with no subscription fee. Three standalone campaigns — Prophecies (2005), Factions (2006), Nightfall (2006) — plus Eye of the North expansion (2007).

Question 2

What campaigns does Guild Wars 1 have?

Accepted Answer

Guild Wars 1 has three campaigns: Prophecies (April 2005, Tyria), Factions (April 2006, Cantha) and Nightfall (October 2006, Elona). Eye of the North (August 2007) is an expansion requiring one campaign, bridging GW1 and GW2 lore.

Question 3

Is Guild Wars 1 still playable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Guild Wars 1 is still playable as Guild Wars Reforged on Steam. It has an active playerbase, peaked at 5,634 concurrent players on 7 December 2025, and holds an 87% positive rating on Steam.

Question 4

How does Guild Wars 1 relate to Guild Wars 3?

Accepted Answer

Guild Wars 1 events are canon backstory to Guild Wars 3. GW1 is set roughly 1,000 years after GW3's ancient Orr setting. By GW1, Orr has already sunk beneath the sea. The Vaelwardens and the Orrian Golden Age of GW3 are ancient history by the time of GW1.

Question 5

What is Eye of the North in Guild Wars 1?

Accepted Answer

Eye of the North (31 August 2007) is the expansion bridging GW1 and GW2. It introduced the Far Shiverpeaks and Charr Homelands, first showed the Asura, Norn and Sylvari precursors, and introduced the Great Destroyer — herald of the Elder Dragons. Hall of Monuments achievements carry forward to GW2.

Question 6

Is Guild Wars 1 free to play?

Accepted Answer

Guild Wars Reforged (Guild Wars 1 on Steam) is free to try. Campaigns and expansions are available to purchase. There is no subscription fee — the buy-to-play model Guild Wars pioneered in 2005.

Question 7

What is Guild Wars Reforged?

Accepted Answer

Guild Wars Reforged is the definitive remaster edition of Guild Wars 1, released on Steam. It includes all original campaigns and the Eye of the North expansion, available to new and returning players. Peak concurrent players: 5,634 (7 December 2025).

Guild Wars 1

Guild Wars — The Original

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