You know, I can’t think of the last time I celebrated my ongoing existence. I bet you can’t either, unless you count birthdays and New Year – but they’re more like 24-hour pangs of existential horror than anything.
They do things differently in Tyria. On June 11, Guild Wars 2 will celebrate Dragon Bash, the festival of thanks for another year not wiped from this plane by the Elder Dragons. Players will take to Lion’s Arch for mini-games, fireworks and exclusive weapon skins, among much else.
Head to Farshore Ward and you’ll find the Vin Diesels of ArenaNet’s world going head-to-head in furious Moa Races where, we’re told, “anything can happen.” Elsewhere, combustible dragon effigies and dragon piñatas will be dotted about the capital, offering temporary boosts and Dragon Bash candy respectively. And then there’s the Dragon Ball, the team-based game of reflexes that’s been a part of Tyrian life for as long as anybody can remember (~2005).
There’ll be timed events throughout the festival, too. Fireworks will light up the skies of Lion’s Arch every two hours between 17:00 BST Friday June 14 and 17:00 BST Monday June 17, and will see the crowds rewarded with a unique helmet: The Horns of the Dragon. On Tuesday June 18, meanwhile, you’ll want to head to the Grand Piazza to see Magnus the Bloody Handed lead festivities as dragon effigies are lit all over the city.
ArenaNet plan to award dedicated festival goers with two sets of exclusive dragon wings and Dragon’s Jade weapon skins – and will also introduce players to Marjory Delaqua, an investigator who seems a likely source of exposition for the game’s next Living Story event.
So: will you partake in the celebrations?