Guild Wars 2 launches "Living Story", first arc available now

Guild Wars 2 has introduced a dedicated development team for the MMORPG's "Living Story" - short-term events with long-term impact on the game's world.

"The job of the Living Story team is to bring the world to life. On an ongoing basis, we’ll spin out story threads that will introduce you to new heroic characters, mysterious plot twists, and dramatic moments that affect the world," narrative designer Angel McCoy wrote in a blog post.

Living Story means dynamic events, some of which will "change up what’s happening in the world and to add to the evolving story and challenge of the game".

McCoy said players won't be required to play the content, which will only be available for limited amounts of time, but are likely to be interested in what happens to the characters next.

Some Living Story arcs will take months to complete, but players won't know in advance how many events will be part of the narrative chain - they'll just happen, as it were, rather than being showcased as a quest string. Arcs will feature recurring characters, are distinct from holidays or major events, and offer their own achievements system.

The first Living Story arc is called Flame and Frost and kicked off on January 28 with teaser content. Players can join in by volunteering to help the refugees from the Shiverpeaks in the Wayfarer Foothills and Diessa Plateau. Learn more about the arc on a dedicated page.

Thanks, Massively.