Beta Weekend Event

Beta Weekend Events were events that took place once a month to let players experience the game before official release, in 2005.

People who wanted to play had to obtain a key from someone who pre-ordered the game or get an access key from a number of fansites.

The end of the events usually involved fireworks.

There were a total of six weekends in all:

• November 6th 2004 until November 8th 2004
• December 4th 2004 until December 6th 2004
  • This event featured the introduction of an active guild ladder. Players from top guilds at the end of this BWE 'ladder season' supposedly received invitations to join the Alpha Test Team for Guild Wars.
• January 7th 2005 until January 9th 2005
• February 18th 2005 until February 20th 2005
• March 18th 2005 until March 20th 2005
  • This event's finale featured multiple Gwens being spawned and killing all players online at the time with Spontaneous Combustion.
• April 15th 2005 until April 17th 2005
  • This event's finale featured Infernal Wurms spawning in Lion's Arch and Tomb of the Primeval Kings.

Gameplay summaries

• November and December Beta Weekends Event gameplay screenshots and summary at Black Falcon Games
• January and February Beta Weekends Event gameplay screenshots and summary at Black Falcon Games
• March Beta Weekend Event gameplay screenshots and summary at Black Falcon Games
• April Beta Weekend Event gameplay screenshots and summary at Black Falcon Games

Gallery

The Final Beta Weekend Event

• GW Prophecies Final Beta Weekend Event 01.jpg
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• GW Prophecies Final Beta Weekend Event 17.jpg

March Beta Weekend Event

• GW Prophecies March Beta Weekend Event - Gwen.jpg

  Gwen playing the flute at the end of March BWE.

• GW Prophecies March Beta Weekend Event 2005-03-21.jpg

  Gwens, unleashing flames and addressing the players at March Event conclusion.

January Beta Weekend Event

• GW Prophecies January Beta Weekend Event 01.jpg
• GW Prophecies January Beta Weekend Event 02.jpg
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• GW Prophecies January Beta Weekend Event 10.jpg
• GW Prophecies January Beta Weekend Event 11.jpg
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December Beta Weekend Event

• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 01.jpg
• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 02.jpg
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• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 07.jpg
• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 08.jpg
• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 09.jpg
• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 10.jpg
• GW Prophecies December Beta Weekend Event 11.jpg

Notes

As of 2026, it's still possible to obtain an official and fan footage of the last, April Beta Weekend Event. A small fan-made clip of Gwens appearing in Guild Hall and immolating Thriller dancers by the end of March Beta Weekend Event is also available.