Guild Wars 2 launch times - updated information

The source: https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/the-final-countdown-guild-wars-2-launch-times/

It's basically the time we already knew (0:00 AM Pacific Time on August 25th), but with a very important new comment:

However, please note that in order to ensure that we’re fully prepared for that fateful hour we may bring servers online up to 3 hours prior. If you’re a player committed to getting in first to grab that character name of your dreams you’ll want to be keeping an eye on things during that time period.

So, people, you may want to try logging in from 21:00 PM Pacific Time on August 24th, if you want to make sure you grab the name you want. I know I will. ;)

Woot! I'll be up and checking - although with the variations I have for my name by adding on last names, I'm pretty sure I won't have a problem. I usually like to have a wide variety of names - but in GW2 I want the family - and the world to know me as "Morigana .. ....." - just makes it easier. I just want to get started building my legend :)

hmmm... a recipe for impatience

Thanks for the heads up. I can just see myself -- clicking login like a maniac with The Final Countdown playing in the background.

I cant wait. And now i have that song stuck in my head to boot!! lol time to hit my 80's collection and see if i have it.

I'm in CST and will be up and ready! Potential 11 PM (2300) Aug 24 for start time for CSTers.

» Edited on: 2012-08-20 11:41:32

I will probably have to call in the next day.. but so long as I get my name.. I am content.

I can just see myself clicking the screen every 10 or so second for 3 hours now! Better buy a couple CDs.:)

Also, ArenaNet just confirmed the official server list, and Sanctum of Rall is confirmed for the GW2 launch: https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/introducing-the-worlds-of-guild-wars-2/ I was a bit concerned that Sanctum of Rall would be just a Beta Weekend Event/stress test server, but I'm now so glad to see that it will be an official server. Rall's legacy lives on in the server's name and in those who inhabit it.

» Edited on: 2012-08-14 19:26:25

Those maniacal devs just like to toy with us. I'm afraid I'm actually not happy about possibly having to click "log in" for 3 hours straight. That's just painful, tedious, and messed up. In other news, yup totally agree Wolfox. Glad that's true.

Still not soon enough

Man that 3 hour tease is going to be tough. I had originally planned on setting my alarm and waking up to log in get some names and be on my way. NOW!?!? Well hopefully they just let us log in 3 hours early and be done with it. Question on reserving names..... I had heard the best way to do this is fly through the character creation screen and lock down your name. Then delete the character you locked the name on, and go back and make a new character and take your time with the creation screen. Apparently doing it this way might lock the name to your account for 24 hours. IMO this works nicely for me. I want to spend quite a bit of time designing my character, but I don't want to lose out on names. Anyone hear or confirm something on this?

It seems the "name reservation for 24 hours after deletion" is indeed true. There are two mentions to that in the official wiki, one of them citing the following link as source: http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/wxs14/arenanet_confirms_character_names_are_reserved/ It makes sense that it would be like that.

Not getting in on the 2 day head start? Me neither…. I know ANet said they had measures in place to keep this from being an issue, BUT What server should we roll on if Sanctum of Rall is full? I am getting Chuck Testa’d by GameStop. GameStop pre-purchase will only get a 1 day head start…… so that would be Sunday. I am hoping against hope that ANet will allow us to join with everyone else on Saturday-ish. Anyone have any information about the 1 day headstarts????? I got my finners and toes crossed. :}

» Edited on: 2012-08-14 22:24:24

Jibbits, there's information on the 1-day headstart in the link I posted. It will start at 0:00 AM on August 27th (Monday). And I doubt Sanctum of Rall will be full. In the Beta Weekend Event, it was listed as having "medium" occupation when I joined. I'd expect it to remain that way until the release on the 28th at least. Many people are flocking to other servers like Jade Quarry for WvWvW, so I wouldn't be too worried.

@Wolfox I read it, but I did pre-purchase. :} What I am confused about is the fact that I did pre-purchase 2 copies, paid in full at GameStop, before the very first BWE. This was the only way I could get into the first BWE, unless I paid for 2 collector edition copies from the GW website. To my knowledge, GameStop did not offer access to the BWE without completely pre-purchasing the game. The collector editions were only available because I had to wait until the Friday before the first BWE to purchase my copies. I know this is my fault for waiting until the last minute. Curse that blasted family budget, and my sense of financial responsibility…..lol I guess what I am looking for is clarity about what ANet considers pre-purchased copies. Do they mean only pre-purchases through the official website? “Pre-Purchase with 3-Day Headstart: Everyone who pre-purchased Guild Wars 2 will enjoy three full days of Headstart Access. The three-day Headstart Access will officially begin at 0:00 AM Pacific time (GMT -7:00) on August 25th. However, please note that in order to ensure that we’re fully prepared for that fateful hour we may bring servers online up to 3 hours prior. If you’re a player committed to getting in first to grab that character name of your dreams you’ll want to be keeping an eye on things during that time period.” Sigh…. I know I am obsessing over this, and I probably should not worry about it. All good things come to those who wait. :}

Wow there will be an [ES] Server? D= I hope my friends don't prefer getting on that one since they don't speak too good english xD I will definitely get on Sanctum of Rall. I just hope I get a slot and well also get my 2 names :S that 3 hour tease.... will be hard... I will have to start logging since 11 PM CST :S It states to redownload the client? D= So I will have to redownload the game? :S Or the one from the Stress Tests will work? o.o Anyone knows? if that's no the case, to start redownloading everything XD

» Edited on: 2012-08-14 23:58:55

Jibbs... I "think" you should be good to go on the 3 day head start as you "PRE-PURCHASED" the game... The one day head start is for folks who "PRE-ORDERED" it... ;) Wisty... I posted a guide in the guide section on how to install the retail client with the beta files... :)

Thanks for the info! Hopefully most of y'all don't have to work on Saturdays (the 25th is a Saturday) so we can all join in the mish-mash that will be the first couple of hours of GW2. I can't wait!!! *does a happy dance*

Thanks a lot Rumpz! I'm reading it atm and using it! wooohoooo you've just saved me like a lot of Bandwidth xD Also, well if I am correct I and my friends will have to start logging in at 11 PM CST, which it's an "ok" hour for me... but getting on that race until 2 AM, will be kind of tedious, also with the names being able to use last names, I guess it will be easier to get the desired name. I hope so I just want 3 names so I'll be there trying to get them like a psycho D= I just hope my mouse resists the beating xD

JibbitsJr, Did you have access to the stress tests? Because only pre-purchases have access to those. So, if you managed to login and play successfully in any stress tests, I'd say you're definitely a pre-purchaser.

The way I understand it, is by the purchase date. If they take your money before head start begins it's a pre-purchase and you are entitled to head start. If you reserved a copy and they will take your payment after head start, it's a pre-order.

Yes I have had access to all the BWE'S. I think you guys are right about the pre-order / pre-purchase qualifications. Matter of fact... I hope you are :} I guess I just needed reassured that my logic was not flawed. Way to much coffee yesterday :}

Here ya go Juron...

» Edited on: 2012-08-16 03:06:41

Oh my goodness is that a video from teh 80's? Anywho I will be working doubles during the entire pretime and time that it comes out (it will be day 5 of 11). So I won't get a chance to play until the Holiday weekend and it might not be until the week after that even to play :(.

I took the 24th off and will be prepping the new rig for some early Saturday morning fun in Metrica Province.

Thanks for the confirmation on the names. I'll be flying through two character creations in hope I get the two I want. Getting very excited, but trying to remember that launches normaly have problems so not to get frustrated

That will definitely be the key to keeping your sanity this coming Friday/Saturday (the 25th). In my mind I am expecting that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. If things going fairly smoothly then I get to be pleasantly surprised. If it goes bad I can simply tell myself, "You see, it's new and there will be glitches so no big deal." Another thing that helps me is I chant a mantra of, "Remember, this is a GAME. I play games to have fun." That helps me in keeping my sense of humor. I predict that even through the worst of any start up issues we will be having a blast on vent and in the game. This is going to be so very cool. Have coffee, will character create! August 25th, here we come. =)

» Edited on: 2012-08-19 04:37:53

Patience is the companion of wisdom... Be wise young grasshoppah. :)

Well the plan was to get a nap before it goes live, but since it looks like it could be opening up as early as 8 my time with that 3 hour window I guess not.

I'll be there at 21:00.

Midnight (EST) it is. Gonna drive me crazy lol...all this waiting.

"Chance favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur I am slow cooking a roast so that I may have food for the entire weekend with no need for further cooking; I am cleaning out my thermos so that I may fill it with coffee; I have already placed two liters of diet RC (made with sucralose instead of that nasty aspartame) if I get hot and don't want the coffee; I check for patches every morning so that my client is up-to-date and I shall stay in bed until around 1 or 2 pm on Friday so that I am well rested ... I shall be waiting with great anticipation - and preparedness - for the servers to go up on Friday evening or Sat. morning. I plan on a 12 hour gaming seesion once the servers go up. :)

Just a little FYI they are still sending out that whole "we just might bring it online up to 3 hours earlier." I just got and email today that still says that in it. You can bet I will be online and ready to go at 11 p.m. CDT US time cuz ya just don't know. =)

I got one, too. I plan on hitting the button every 15-20 mins :) starting at 8:45 pm pst. I'm a tad OCD ;)

Yeah, got that email too. At this point, it feels almost as if they're teasing us. Won't Friday come sooner? ;)

Pffft! Every 15-20 minutes deserves no claim to OCD. Every 15-20 seconds starting at 8:30 pst, as I'll be doing, is firmly in OCD territory, though. ;-)

That's why I am a "tad" - you my friend are full-blown OCD :) And yes Wolfox - they are teasing us - and I hate them - no, I love them and hate them for what they are doing.