Guild Wars 2 expansions a ‘sure thing’, says ArenaNet

Guild Wars 2, the upcoming MMORPG from ArenaNet, will be supported with retail expansions, design lead Eric Flannum has confirmed to VideoGamer.com.

The designer said both micro-transactions and expansions were key to the continued development of the game.

“We support ourselves with micro-transactions and expansions. So we’ll have retail expansions for sure,” he said.

“The main thing is that the buy-the-box model enables us to make it a great, super high-quality game. We can afford to spend the development resources on that. And then the micro-transactions allow us to keep developing the game.”

Additionally he said this model is more useful than traditional subscription fees.

“I think it does it more effectively than a monthly fee does because what micro-transactions allow us to do is include the things that players really, really like. So they can kind of vote with their wallets about what they like and what they don’t like.”

Despite Flannum’s assurances, NCsoft and ArenaNet say they have yet to confirm plans for retail expansions.

“At the present time the ArenaNet team is entirely focused on ensuring that Guild Wars 2 is delivered to the highest possible standards at the earliest opportunity, as such future plans for expansions, campaigns or additional content are still to be confirmed,” read a statement from NCsoft and ArenaNet.

“As soon as we have firm information on content beyond launch we’ll share this via the PR team and our forums.”

Guild Wars 2 has no firm release date.

Not everyone believes micro-transactions are the way forward. Eve’s player-base recently raged against CCP’s decision to introduce a micro-transaction model that would make ammunition and ships available for purchase. The “pay to win” model, as it’s being called, is an example of how micro-transactions can negatively affect a game.