Is Guild Wars 2 Big? A Deep Dive into Player Base, Size, and More
Yes, Guild Wars 2 is undeniably big, both in terms of its player base and its expansive world. Despite being released in 2012, this popular MMORPG maintains a strong and active community, impressive player numbers, and a vast in-game world filled with content to explore. Let’s delve deeper into the various aspects that contribute to Guild Wars 2’s size and enduring popularity.
Player Numbers: Still a Flourishing Community
One of the primary indicators of a game’s “bigness” is its player base. Guild Wars 2 boasts a substantial community, evidenced by consistently strong monthly and daily active player counts. While exact figures fluctuate, estimates suggest that Guild Wars 2 has a staggering 18.82 million total players or subscribers. Furthermore, the game enjoys over 12 million monthly active players and more than 300,000 daily active players, demonstrating a robust and engaged community that continues to thrive. These numbers firmly place Guild Wars 2 among the most popular and populated MMORPGs on the market. The game’s continued activity is also reflected in its financial success, having generated 95 billion South Korean won in revenue in 2022.
The Game World: A Massive and Immersive Experience
Beyond player counts, the sheer size and depth of the game world contribute significantly to Guild Wars 2’s status as a “big” game. The world of Tyria is massive and diverse, offering a plethora of environments to explore, ranging from lush forests and towering mountains to sprawling cities and mysterious ruins. Players can spend hundreds, if not thousands, of hours traversing the different maps and engaging with the game’s rich lore and storyline. The game world is continually expanded with the addition of new expansions and living world updates.
A Constant Stream of Content
ArenaNet, the developer of Guild Wars 2, actively supports the game with new content, which further contributes to its feeling of vastness and depth. Regular expansions such as Secrets of the Obscure introduce new areas, storylines, and gameplay mechanics, ensuring there’s always something new to explore and discover. The ongoing “living world” updates also provide a continuous stream of new quests, challenges, and lore, ensuring the world of Tyria never feels static.
System Requirements and Download Size
Another factor that reflects the scale of Guild Wars 2 is its download and storage requirements. While the base game download is around 16 GB, this figure does not include expansions and subsequent updates. The game is free-to-play and is around a 16 GB download, however, the client will grow over time with content updates. The game is optimized to run smoothly on a wide range of PCs, despite its massive game world and detailed graphics. The game is more CPU-intensive than GPU, so prioritizing a good CPU (like a Ryzen) over a high end GPU is often the better choice. While the minimum RAM suggested is 8GB, 16GB is increasingly recommended. Despite the low minimum system requirements, a long install time of 3-4 hours is a common experience, however, the Steam client has been reported to reduce this to about 40 minutes, though users may not intend to play the game via Steam.
Free-to-Play Model and Accessibility
Guild Wars 2’s free-to-play model has contributed significantly to its popularity and size. The base game is entirely free to play, which means players can explore a substantial portion of the game’s content without spending any money. Although there are some limitations on free accounts like limited character slots and chat restrictions, they offer an excellent opportunity to experience the core gameplay before deciding to purchase expansions. This accessibility has undoubtedly attracted a wider audience and contributes to the game’s overall bigness.
Community and Gameplay: A Welcoming Experience
Guild Wars 2 is praised for its welcoming community and engaging gameplay. The game does not follow typical MMO grind, with more focus on exploration and story. With its emphasis on exploration, quests (which are not always typical), and a deep storyline, it provides players with a constantly evolving world with an immersive gameplay experience. Whether you are a seasoned MMORPG player or completely new to the genre, Guild Wars 2 offers something for everyone. The community’s helpful nature further enhances the experience, particularly for new players. The game’s design and lore combined with the supportive player base contribute to a memorable gaming experience that is not easily replicated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Guild Wars 2, addressing various aspects of the game to provide a more comprehensive view.
1. Is Guild Wars 2 still popular in 2023?
Yes, Guild Wars 2 is still very popular in 2023, maintaining a large player base and receiving continuous updates and expansions.
2. How many people play Guild Wars 2?
Estimates show Guild Wars 2 has 18.82 million total players or subscribers, with over 12 million monthly active players and more than 300,000 daily active players.
3. How much storage space does Guild Wars 2 require?
The base game is approximately 16 GB to download, but the total installation size grows with updates and expansions. You should ensure you have at least 70 GB available storage.
4. Does Guild Wars 2 need a good GPU?
Guild Wars 2 is more CPU-intensive than GPU-intensive. A good CPU (such as a Ryzen processor) is more beneficial than a high-end graphics card.
5. Is Guild Wars 2 free-to-play?
Yes, the base game is free-to-play, with some restrictions for free accounts. Expansions and certain in-game items require purchase.
6. What is the best character to start with in Guild Wars 2?
For beginners, the Guardian, Ranger, and Necromancer are considered the easiest and most forgiving classes to play.
7. How profitable is Guild Wars 2?
Guild Wars 2 generated 95 billion South Korean won in revenue in 2022.
8. What is the max level in Guild Wars 2?
The max level in Guild Wars 2 is 80.
9. Is Guild Wars 2 a good community?
Yes, Guild Wars 2 is known for having a very welcoming and helpful community.
10. Is Guild Wars 2 paid to win?
No, Guild Wars 2 is not considered pay-to-win. Purchases can provide cosmetic items and conveniences, but not game-breaking advantages.
11. Is Guild Wars 2 fun to play?
Guild Wars 2 is widely considered to be fun to play with a great community, unique mount system, and a large open world.
12. Is 8GB of RAM enough for Guild Wars 2?
While 8GB is technically sufficient, 16GB of RAM is now increasingly recommended for optimal performance.
13. How long does it take to install Guild Wars 2?
Installing Guild Wars 2 can take anywhere from 3-4 hours with the standard client, but this can be reduced to ~40 minutes if using the Steam client for the download.
14. What is the max storage in GW2 material storage?
Players can purchase up to 9 Storage Expanders, providing a maximum material storage stack size of 2,500 items.
15. What is the easiest spec to play in Guild Wars 2?
The Guardian is generally considered the easiest and most versatile profession, followed closely by the Ranger and Necromancer.
Conclusion
Guild Wars 2 is undoubtedly big in many aspects, from its large player base and the vast game world to its continuous content updates and accessible free-to-play model. Its popularity remains strong, and its welcoming community ensures it continues to be one of the leading MMORPGs on the market. Whether you are a new player or have been playing for years, Guild Wars 2 offers a rich and immersive experience that is worth exploring. If you’re looking for a large and thriving MMORPG with a lot to offer, Guild Wars 2 is definitely a strong contender.