With the launch of custom arenas and spectator mode, PvP in Guild Wars 2 is becoming progressively more eSports-y. Sprouting up around the newly enabled arena bouts are a group of shoutcasters, acting as commentators for this virtual violence.

Arenanet are now reaching out to that burgeoning community, “authorising" some of the more vocal members, and granting them privileged access to broadcast bouts between highly rated teams.

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I’m going to come right out and say it: PvP in Guild Wars 2 always felt like an unfinished product to me. Coming from someone who has sunk thousands of hours into the original Guild Wars, PvP was probably its most prominent feature. Guild versus Guild (GvG) was the PvP that dominated: it was accessible with the eight skill limit, but diverse - with hundreds of team compositions.

That active PvP scene has been missing from Guild Wars 2: but the changes that are coming should see that start to change. Arenanet’s first step; the custom arenas and a spectator mode for Guild Wars 2. I’ve been playing with them in a private beta.

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Custom PvP arenas with much of the functionality of FPS dedicated servers are to be added to Guild Wars 2 in limited beta form in the Retribution update due next week, alongside a spectator mode. They’ll be accompanied with new World vs World abilities, guild missions, guild siege weapons and back banners. Meanwhile, Arenanet will conclude their Frost and Flame storyline with a brand new dungeon.

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