In an interview with Eurogamer, Guild Wars 2 developer ArenaNet has confirmed they will "for sure" be launching a closed beta for the MMO by the end of 2011.
Following that, lead content designer Colin Johansn says, the developer will have to look into fan response and figure out the timing for an open beta. That, in turn, will help them decide when would be best to release the full game to the public.
"If we tear through the beta and everything's super positive then obviously it'll come out faster. And if we go into the beta process and we see things we want to change, then we have the luxury of having the time to be able to sit down and fix that stuff."
ArenaNet didn't provide any details on how people will be selected or contacted for the beta, nor did they get into the specifics of timing, although this announcement does lend creedence to another rumor that's been floating around the Web.
Last week, a French site reported that the Korean gaming expo G-Star had issued a press release revealing that Guild Wars 2 would be present following "following the start of the beta in the West". That expo runs from November 10 to 13, meaning that any closed beta would have to kick off before then if the rumors are true.
Since starting development in 2007, ArenaNet has taken a "when it's done" approach to Guild Wars 2. As is usually the case, those words led to a long production cycle and no shortage of delays. With a closed beta now imminent, it seems increasingly likely that the game will see a full launch sometime in 2012.
