If you or a friend have been looking to try Guild Wars 2, are still unsure about buying the game (you should), or just want to kill some time, ArenaNet is partnering with sites to hand out thousands of codes for a trial taking place over the April 19th weekend. Note that different sites are doing give-aways at different times.

Here's a list of places you can get them:

• ZAM
• buffed.de (German, not sure if it's exclusive)
• Curse (EU only)
• Ten Ton Hammer
• MMORPG.com

EDIT: Updated the participants. Evidently, GameSpot, Twitch.TV, and PC Gamer will also have keys at some point.

Also, if you participated in the last free weekend (the one in November), that account will be registered for this weekend as well.

MMORPG are giving them out as well: http://www.mmorpg.com/giveaways.cfm/offer/437/Guild-Wars-2-Weekend-Free-Trial-Key-Giveaway.html

I'm thinking about buying this. Does ArenaNet usually accompany discounts with these free trial events?

@toastman: Usually not, because they don't charge a sub they normally don't have the game on sale that often. Your best bet would be amazon or somewhere else to find a sale price.

Thanks for the heads up man I've been waiting to give this a shot.

Why bother. Seriously.

The early game of this might convince a lot of people to buy it, and it is really sad how everyone can't be warned. Watch videos; talk with players who have invested more than a weekend and use that to judge the game and not by this sneak peek.

@ripelivejam: I hear Defiance is pretty good. Buy a couple of copies of that.

are... are you Defiance? :\

@ripelivejam: :( You shouldn't buy Defiance. I'm terrible at this good cop / bad cop / ambivalent cop routine...

@funkydupe:you could always be... a Hot Cop!

@funkydupe: You sound mad bro, which means you didn't actually participate in ANY of the MMO aspect of this game. If you're a loner, yes this game is terrible. If you join the community, play with others, you can have a great time. This game really started becoming awesome once I linked up with an awesome guild on Yaks Bend *cough* Lincoln Force *cough*

BUT we actually enjoy having a good time, so maybe that's not for you.

@packfan104l4: Nah I'm not mad t'all. Playing any game with friends can make the experience better on that we can agree.

I want to pick up a copy someday but I don't want to pay more than $40 for it. I'm cheap. Typically, I don't spend more than that on any game.

Good man.

Does anyone know how well this runs on the new Macbook pros?

@somberowl: I have a Yoga, which has the exact same specs as the new Airs. And it works like a beautiful charm. Have the game set on medium. I would assume the Pros have more power and it'll probably run a little better.

Nice, I'll check it out! I was playing the 1st one back in the day, sadly not much time left for an MMO these days.

I wonder if my laptop can run it at a decent FPS on med setting.

It goes on sale pretty frequently at different outlets (Amazon, Green Man Gaming, etc.). I've actually seen it as low as $35 several times, so just keep your eyes open.

@packfan104l4 said:

Well, over the past seven months (although I've not played in two or three) I managed to put in 99 hours and 23 minutes into the game, pretty much all solo. That is, not being in a party or anything, just rolling with whosoever is around me. And I've been a fully signed up member to Lincoln Force since day.

lonersforlifedotcom

Wasn't saying it's NOT possible, it's just more likely to be enjoyable in a group I've found. Don't be a lurker, come chill with us sometime! Join the guild events on Saturday, free rares! (if we don't fail)

It must have just gone on sale for $40, but not sure for how long. https://buy.guildwars2.com/en/
Edit: apparently until the 28th.

@dark_lord_spam: Thanks I will. I check SteamGameSales.com frequently, but so far without much luck.

UPDATE:

@alanm26v5: I saw that this morning before I went to work. I'm buying it later tonight. Like I said in my response above, I was waiting for a better price-point.

#lurksfolife #livelurkordiehard

I know, I know. I'm just super awkward and shy. Although I am thinking of getting all back up into this fine game in a couple of weeks.

If and when you do hop back into GW2, give mumble a try. I'm super shy as well and I pretty much live on our guild mumble.

well this sucks, while all my friends are done exams, here I am preparing for my last and I missed out a chance to play this game with them (since i dont own it).

Wait, this is news to me!