Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire Announced, releasing September 22nd and includes Mounts

ArenaNet announces their next expansion for the MMO sequel Guild Wars 2, which is out on September 22nd and adds Mounts for the first time. Plus players can get involved in a preview weekend, starting on August 13th.

The upcoming expansion for Guild Wars 2 takes players back to the Crystal Desert, a location which was previously in Guild Wars Nightfall. Set 250 years after the events of Nightfall, players will find 5 massive open world zones and are the largest that ArenaNet has created for the game. Zones are filled with plenty to see and do, and you can explore them in style as the game features mounts that are unlock via the Mastery system - each with their own unique movements.

Additionally the game will feature 9 new specialisations are coming to the game too, one for each profession (class). Take a look at the full unveil for the upcoming Guild Wars 2 expansion while you wait:

Path of Fire's story takes place after the events of Heart of Thorns, with the Fire God Balthazar trying to create havoc and is in search of yet another Elder Dragon to kill.

Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire is launching September 22nd - but you don't have to wait that long as you can get your hands on an early preview for the game starting next weekend! Just head to ArenaNet Website and create an account in preparation (or use an existing one when the time is ready).

We will hold two preview weekend experiences, during which every player with a Guild Wars 2 account in good standing can jump in and play selected expansion content. In the first preview weekend, running August 11-13, players will get a taste of the first open-world map of the expansion and the raptor mount. In the second preview weekend, running August 18th, players can create demo characters and play in Player vs. Player or World vs. World with the nine new elite specializations.

Should you already have a copy of the previous expansion Heart of Thorns, you can unlock additional features within the Path of Fire expansion:

Heart of Thorns Exclusive Content

• You must purchase Heart of Thorns to unlock and use the gliding mastery, as well as all other masteries introduced in and exclusive to that expansion. You will be able to complete all of the content in Path of Fire without the use of any Heart of Thorns-exclusive masteries.
• You must purchase Heart of Thorns to unlock and use the 9 elite specializations introduced with that expansion.
• Path of Fire includes access to the revenant profession, but not the Herald elite specialization. If you only own Path of Fire, you will be able to create a revenant character and unlock the Renegade elite specialization.
• You must purchase Heart of Thorns to claim the new guild hall released in Path of Fire, and access the Scribe crafting discipline to fully upgrade your guild hall.

Lastly it's been revealed that Guild Wars 2 will feature a Guild Hall that will offer players a chance to socialize in their downtime and hang out with other members of your guild.

Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire arrives September 22nd.