The Mike Abundo Effect

I might have to skip a few Christmas parties on Earth, but I’ll be sure to attend the Holiday celebrations on Tyria. Happy Wintersday to all Guild Wars players.

This is the first Wintersday with Eye of the North, so I can’t wait to run the new festival quests in the (previously) Secret Lair of the Snowmen. I like to hang out in that dungeon, so I’d love to see what’s in store there for the Holidays.

I like ads that demonstrate an understanding of what they’re selling. In Guild Wars Eye of the North, Ogden Stonehealer is grumpy, Pyre Fierceshot is angry, and Vekk is boastful. They’re all portrayed hilariously in this Holiday machinima ad for GameStop. Yes, we actually do celebrate Christmas in Guild Wars — where we more accurately call it Wintersday. Download the high-quality version of this ad here.

In related news, Eye of the North is now open to beginners. Join me up north and I’ll show you a big-ass frozen dragon.

Far from being a mere “bonus”, the Guild Wars Bonus Mission Pack features some of the best PvE content ever made for the game, delivering intense storytelling through strongly directed gameplay experiences. Just look at the 300-style ending for the Battle of Jahai, slomo and all. I love the freeform sandbox experience of advanced Guild Wars PvE, but sometimes even the most maverick player just wants to sit back and experience a cinematic story.

The Bonus Mission Pack takes place outside regular PvE, but the perfect customized rare weapons it yields will encourage players to further tweak their armories. My Zenmai is so loving her brand-new Mursaat Flatbow right now.