One of WoW’s biggest rivals is getting a sequel, but fans are already criticizing one detail

[Redaktion]

Guild Wars 3 was unexpectedly announced at Summer Game Fest 2026. The MMO sequel is planned for PC, Steam and PlayStation 5, but one detail is already causing concern among fans.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/One-of-WoW-s-biggest-rivals-is-getting-a-sequel-but-fans-are-already-criticizing-one-detail.1316683.0.html

[Nemesis7884]

the art style looks like the typical mass appeal least common denominator for all age groups mainstream approved disney UE5 slop... big turn off

[Jacklandhero]

Please! Please! Please! Don't make our characters into special snowflakes ("chosen ones to save the world"). It is much more immersive (and freeform) to generate an ordinary character new in the world who has to explore, fight, and extablish their own formidability. I'm just tired of scripted linear storyline nonsense. Even retail WOW more or less frees players from the storyline (after a while) to wander about and adventure freely. And the players like that.

[Bill]

FFXIV literally did overtake WoW . . . You act like GW2 was the only MMO that came close.

[Noway]

This article is poorly research. Most guild wars 2 players were expecting a guild wars 3 announcement.  The game had been confirmed a while ago.  Major guild wars 2 content creators have been speculating on a gw3 announcement all week.  Also, 5000 concurrent players is just on Steam, which is a relatively new platform for gw2 and a small fraction of the player base.  I hope you enjoyed my ad impression for this article, you will not get another.  After I post this I am blocking this website.  I do have have time for people who want to be reporters but do not want to put in the time and effort to accurately report.

[vox]

Where exactly is this "criticism," though? Cherry-picking a few YouTube comments about the art style and calling it "fans are already criticizing" is a stretch when your own article admits the reaction was broadly enthusiastic. And a reveal trailer that's nowhere near final already looks better than anything WoW has managed in 20 years. Funny part is your piece also concedes GW2 came closer than any MMO to knocking WoW off its throne — and no wonder. Skill-based mounts back in 2017 that WoW only got around to imitating with Dragonriding in 2022, player housing in 2024 before Blizzard finally managed it in Midnight, all with no sub and $25 expansions. Honest tip: save the word count and just put "GW3" in your next "WoW rival" headline. We both know where this is heading.