Guild Wars 2 Mobile: ArenaNet Evaluating Projects

The possibility of a mobile version of Guild Wars 2 has resurfaced following NCsoft’s Q2 2019 financial report, in which the publisher noted that ArenaNet is evaluating “internal reviews on several projects” including a mobile iteration of the MMO. This has renewed long-running speculation among players, especially as NCsoft’s earnings continue to be driven primarily by mobile titles while Guild Wars 2’s PC revenue remains flat.

A Long History of Mobile Ambitions

Speculation about a mobile Guild Wars 2 is not new. Prior to the MMO’s 2010 launch, ArenaNet announced plans for a mobile tie-in called the “Extended Experience” that would keep players connected on the go, but that project fizzled before launch day. NCsoft itself teased the possibility again in 2017, and early in 2019, ArenaNet canceled multiple projects during a round of layoffs and restructuring — one of which is believed to have been a mobile title. The latest mention in the Q2 2019 report appears to be the most concrete signal yet that ArenaNet is actively examining mobile development for the franchise.

Earnings Context and Strategic Implications

Guild Wars 2’s financial performance has been fairly flat over the previous three quarters as of Q2 2019, a pattern echoed by other NCsoft PC titles such as Aion and Lineage II. Blade & Soul continued to decline, while the original Lineage experienced a significant spike thanks to its Remaster update and a new free-to-play model. However, mobile games remain the dominant force in NCsoft’s earnings, framing any potential mobile Guild Wars 2 as a strategically important move for both the publisher and the franchise.

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