NCsoft engages Guild Wars

ArenaNet, a subsidiary of publisher NCsoft, today announced that Guild Wars has made the long journey to retail shelves in the US, Australia, and Europe. This is the debut game from ArenaNet, which was formed by former members of Blizzard and creators of Battle.net. It has the distinction of being one of the few massively multiplayer online role-playing games that do not charge a monthly subscription fee.

Guild Wars sports a robust skill set that adds depth to the combat system. Instead of gamers spending countless hours gathering experience points and improving stats, they'll strategically use various skills to defeat opponents. Gamers can bring eight skills (of the more than 450 available in the game) into battle and combine skill effects with other party members' skills for devastating attacks or impenetrable defenses.

The game offers campaign-style quests that can be tackled by a party of human players, or gamers can go at them solo with computer-controlled teammates. Guild Wars also offers up a healthy serving of player-versus-player modes so players can earn prestige among peers.

Guild Wars is rated T for Teen and has an SRP of $49.99. To learn more about the game, head over to GameSpot's previous coverage or check back next week for the full review.