Hi all,
I've seen a lot of concerns raised here about how and where to prepurchase the Collector's Edition before it sells out, so I'd like to offer some clarifications.
Retailers accepting reservations before April 10
The street date of prepurchase keys is April 10. Any retailer who distributes them before then is breaking the street date and risks losing their allocation of keys. When we become aware of retailers not abiding by a street date, we contact them immediately and get the situation resolved.
However, we can't prevent retailers from taking reservations from customers expressing interest in unreleased products. They do that without any guidance or support from us. For example, here are some two-year-old images of retailers who created their own box art or release dates to encourage customers to place reservations for Guild Wars 2 at that time. http://news.mmosite.com/content/2010-01-25/guild_wars_2_preorder_starts.shtml
A reservation is not the same as a prepurchase. If you previously placed a reservation, you should contact your retailer on April 10 and confirm that they will charge you the full purchase price on that date and send you a key that gives you access to beta events.
We appreciate the community's efforts to keep us informed about what's happening in their countries. Keep doing so and we'll do our best to resolve issues with retailers and distributors.
Amazon.com
I know many of you are disappointed that your local Amazon site isn't offering prepurchases of the Collector's Edition. In order to support prepurchase of Collector's Edition, a retailer needs to be able to provide a digital code at the time of purchase, and then also deliver a physical box when the game is released. We've worked with each local Amazon operation to enable this but at this time many have determined that their systems don't support it. Thus they won't be selling the Collector's Edition prepurchase, and we've reallocated their units to other retailers.
Since individual Amazon markets have different systems and policies, we are fortunate that Amazon France will be able to support the Collector's Edition prepurchase and will begin selling it on April 10.
If you're just looking to prepurchase the game from Amazon and don't need the Collector's Edition, you can still buy either of the digital editions through them. If you're looking to prepurchase the Collector's Edition online, try the alternatives listed here. http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/User:Stephane_Lo_Presti/GW2_prepurchase_retailers_list
Mike

(in regards to retailers) Our official start date for pre-purchase/pre-order is April 10th. Any transaction before that is not authorized by NCsoft ~RB2

(in regards to the Collector's Edition) Some stores are showing "sold out" because the copies are not available *yet*, so that may be what you're seeing. ~RB2

(in regards to the beta event weekends) You will get into every event until launch. Currently we're planning roughly one event a month. ~RB2

Yes I know we have a thread going on the pre-order information. It's gotten messy and I wanted to pull the important parts and throw them all together into one area that is easy to access.

- First public beta weekend event is April 20th. The only guaranteed way to get into this test is to PRE-PURCHASE the game on April 10th. PRE-ORDERING the game does not guarantee you access and you will have to rely on getting picked by ArenaNet in their second wave of sign ups (which they will open at an undefined future date).

What do I get with a Pre-Purchase of the game?
Customers who pre-purchase the game in full will enjoy guaranteed access to our Beta Weekend Events, three-day Headstart Access to the final game, and the Hero's Band digital item designed to enhance your gameplay experience.

What if I don't want to pay in full in advance?
In addition to Pre-Purchase, a number of our retail partners are offering a Pre-Order program. Customers who pre-order will receive one-day Headstart Access to the final game.

Is Pre-Purchase the only way to get into Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend Events?
Pre-Purchase is the only guaranteed way to get into all Beta Weekend Events. We will also be running promotions for access to individual Beta Weekend Events.

- All beta test weekends from April 20th onwards are not under any NDA.

- Physical Pre-Purchase:

How does physical Pre-Purchase work?
Physical Pre-Purchase for Guild Wars 2 is only available at select retailers. The details of how this will work will differ slightly depending on which edition customers purchase and where they purchase it.

Standard Edition (North America)—Customers will buy the Standard Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive a Pre-Purchase serial code. They will then go to https://register.guildwars2.com and follow the on-screen instructions to create a Guild Wars 2 account and apply the serial code, which will give them access to Beta Weekend Events, the Hero's Band digital item, and three-day Headstart Access to the final game. When Guild Wars 2 launches, customers will need to return to the retailer with proof of purchase to receive the full Standard Edition box and retail serial code. They will need to apply this retail serial code to their Guild Wars 2 account within five days to continue playing without interruption.

Standard Edition (Europe)—Customers will buy the Standard Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive their serial code. This is the only serial code customers will receive and will grant access to the Beta Weekend Events, three-day Headstart Access, the Hero's Band digital item, and full access to the final live game. Customers will not need to return to retail to receive another serial code.

Collector's Edition (North America and Europe)—Customers will buy the Collector's Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive a Pre-Purchase serial code. They will then go to https://register.guildwars2.com and follow the on-screen instructions to create a Guild Wars 2 account and apply the serial code, which will give them access to Beta Weekend Events and three-day Headstart Access to the final game. When Guild Wars 2 launches, customers will need to return to their retailer with proof of purchase to receive the full Collector's Edition box with physical items and retail serial code. They will need to apply this retail serial code to their Guild Wars 2 account within five days to continue playing without interruption.

- Digital Pre-Purchase:

Which products are available for Pre-Purchase?
Customers will be able to pre-purchase the Guild Wars 2 Digital Edition and the Guild Wars 2 Digital Deluxe Edition directly from NCsoft. In addition to the digital products, certain retailers will also be offering physical Pre-Purchase of the Guild Wars 2 Standard Edition and the Guild Wars 2 Collector's Edition.

Based on the above information you have two places to check to figure out how to get the game:
(https://buy.guildwars2.com/) > If you are buying digitally either the Standard Edition or Deluxe Edition. This is directly through NCSoft/ArenaNet

(http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/User:Stephane_Lo_Presti/GW2_prepurchase_retailers_list) > If you want a physical copy of the game and either the Standard, Deluxe, or Collector's Edition

* Note: The Collector's edition CANNOT be bought directly from NCSoft/ArenaNet. It must be bought via a retailer.

* Keep in mind:
- Pay in full = guaranteed access to every beta weekend event from April 20th onwards
- Pay partially = no guaranteed access to every beta weekend event. must rely on signups and being picked by ArenaNet

* P.S. >
- Pre-Purchase = guaranteed beta access / 3 day headstart / hero's band
- Pre-Order = no guaranteed beta access / 1 day headstart / no hero's band

Updated the original post with some important tweets from Rubi Bayer (RB2).

(in regards to the beta event weekends) You will get into every event until launch. Currently we're planning roughly one event a month. ~RB2

Read that statement a few times, it seems unnerving a little.

Kinda reads to me as: See you in December.

I agree... as long as I can get holidays for launch, I'm good.

(in regards to the beta event weekends) You will get into every event until launch. Currently we're planning roughly one event a month. ~RB2

Read that statement a few times, it seems unnerving a little.

Kinda reads to me as: See you in December.

@Tripley, I don't see why people are complaining about this honestly. Beta tests are meant to test the game and search for bugs to help ArenaNet polish the game. It's not meant to be a free preview of the game for anyone. I'm glad ArenaNet isn't opening it up to a larger time frame. With the way they have it they have one event each month and then they have 3-4 weeks to go through the feedback and fix any issues. Heck... if ArenaNet wants to they can open it up to more than once a month but that honestly depends on how well and on track the game is.

Really hoping gamestop preorders my opy ASAP when the 10th comes.

Because if they just reserve one of the many that they order & I don't get into the beta I'll be very disappointed with them.

@ZCKS, pre-order (putting down a partial amount of money) will not guarantee you access into the beta event weekends. The only way to get into beta for sure is to pre-purchase (pay in full) from a retailer.


I've updated the original post again with a distinction between PRE-ORDER and PRE-PURCHASE

Is it guarenteed tat Apr. 20th is the first beta weekend? I havent been able to find that anywhere that they said it and I need to make sure to adjust my leave dates so I can zombie out on the game for 3-4 days straight lol
I understand having a few months of beta testing before release, not saying I like it but understand it.
I have withdrawals already from GW2 and have never played, I cannot imagine how bad going 3 weeks inbetween betas is going to be

OK that makes sense
I will just adjust leave schedule and hope for the best, if not I think I am already feeling a bit sick and will need to call in those day
Thanks!!

Correct Tini... Just keep in mind that retailers cannot sell the pre-purchase for the GW2 CE prior to April 10.

Quote from: Nightsong on April 02, 2012, 04:52:12 PM

Correct Tini... Just keep in mind that retailers cannot sell the pre-purchase for the GW2 CE prior to April 10.

Phew good news! I was worried if I purchased from an in-town retailer I would miss out on part of the headstart and such. But awesome I'll be there ASAP on the 10th to pre-purhase!

Yea... any pre-purchases prior to April 10th are not authorized NCSoft. Thing is no one really knows how they will handle people/retailers claiming to be able to pre-purchase now. I'm sure NCSoft has it figured out and won't talk about it because it would throw the community into disarray since they like to overreact to the smallest things.