In early 2012 NCSoft confirmed that ArenaNet was preparing Guild Wars 2 for consoles, a project that seems to have been scrapped altogether. Reasons for the game not coming to console, however, are not that the developers aren’t willing to develop for consoles, but rather the way consoles’ online networks work. Just more proof that consoles can have the same awesome games PCs do if only it weren’t such a hassle to develop for it.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Lead content designer Mike Zadorojny said, “Development for console was something that we did experiment with and try. But we were always committed to making sure that we were PC platform first. And especially as we move towards this living world strategy where we’re trying to release content as fast as we are – trying to do that on a console is extremely difficult.”
Considering Guild wars 2 is buy-to-play with no monthly subscription there after, console gamers would still need to pay a monthly subscription on consoles for Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus to be able to play games online.
“The other side of it,” Zadorojny added, “is that since we don’t have a monthly subscription that’s a barrier to entry as well.”
ArenaNet would also not have the freedom to patch their game whenever they wanted to, which would obviously mean that console players won’t get updates and extra content at the same rate as PC gamers. This has added to the project being cancelled.
“For us, we just develop so fast for the PC that it’s very easy for us to have these new ideas and bring them out and put them live in such a short, rapid development cycle. It’s easier for us to do it on PC than on Xbox One or PS4.”
When asked if Guild Wars 2 would ever come to console would next-gen console not have the Zadorojny replied that he doesn’t think they’d ever say no. But it’s not something ArenaNet is actively pursuing.
Last Updated: July 8, 2013
Trevor Davies
July 8, 2013 at 13:21
It has more to do with their network & update restrictions from what he’s saying, not the development itself.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 8, 2013 at 13:23
Not only are the consoles inferior, their networking is inferior as well?
Trevor Davies
July 8, 2013 at 13:27
Don’t rouse the rabble 😉
Lardus
July 8, 2013 at 13:39
Yes. Yes it is.
Brady miaau
July 8, 2013 at 13:40
I think the way it is implemented, going through respective console makers systems, before going to Guild Wars server’s may be the issue. Console makers likely said “Host servers on our toys”
Hah
Tarisma
July 8, 2013 at 13:46
GW2 is on a 2 week content cycle maybe it just isn’t possible to push out data that often in consoles?
Kromas
July 8, 2013 at 14:26
Diablo error 37 as portrayed on consoles. “An error has occurred. Please subscribe to see what the error number is.”
Skyblue
July 8, 2013 at 13:40
I think he was initially referring to the cost of updating console titles as developers get charged every time they release a patch for their games on consoles. That’s why that guy who made Fez kicked up such a stink about paying to fix it for the X360.
Anyway, we, the collective master race, need the occasional exclusive to rub a few noses into ;-p
Lardus
July 8, 2013 at 13:41
In essence, they cannot give the console users the same level of service as they get on the PC. Rather than try to milk more money for an “inferior” product, they scrap it and focus on their current market? Cool, insert “Good guy” meme here!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 8, 2013 at 13:41
Reason number 2: Too many skills, too little buttons
Tarisma
July 8, 2013 at 13:45
I don’t know hey of all the mmo’s I have played guild wars 2 is probably best suited for consoles
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 8, 2013 at 13:59
XD
Melasco
July 8, 2013 at 13:46
I’m not gonna cry over GW2… Already wasted my money on the PC version. We are already getting elder scrolls online on console, and I’m sure more similar mmo’s will follow. To be honest, I’ll rather wait for games designed with console in mind than get nasty PC ports 😛
John Ambitious
July 8, 2013 at 13:51
The sad part is the great games that started off on PC but then the sequels got turned into console games. They get changed so much that they’re effectively ruined.
Melasco
July 8, 2013 at 13:58
Yeah, in some ways I agree with you, and as a console gamer I’m the first to admit it’s a good time for new hardware, not because I really feel the need for it, but because it’s good for the industry as a whole in the long run.
That said, PS3 and 360 wont stop getting support for many years to come, but at least the games will stop originating on them. Good times incomming for PC gamers imo.
Tarisma
July 8, 2013 at 13:51
FFXIV also has ps3 support
Unavengedavo
July 8, 2013 at 15:37
The header image reminds me of this…