Release date: January 13, 2027 (planned). ArenaNet announced Guild Wars: Afterlife on November 3, 2026 with a planned launch of January 13, 2027. The DLC is listed as Coming Soon with preorders open. Status verified November 5, 2026.
The Timeline at a Glance
November 3, 2026
Official announcement: trailer, features, price and preorder access revealed.
Now — January 2027
Coming Soon window. Preorders open at $23.99 (20% off $29.99), with the Vestments of the Order costume bonus.
January 13, 2027
Planned launch on PC, Steam, iOS and Android. Standard price returns to $29.99.
What You Need on Day One
Afterlife is a paid DLC for the original Guild Wars, running through Guild Wars Reforged (released December 3, 2025). To play on release day you need Reforged — full details on the Reforged Requirement, buying steps on the Preorder. Note it is not a Guild Wars 2 expansion and not standalone.
Platforms at Launch
Confirmed launch platforms: PC, Steam, iOS and Android — matching Reforged’s cross-platform lineup. Platform specifics: Steam and iOS & Android pages. Reforged’s October 22, 2026 update even improved the mobile joystick and Steam Deck controls — a base actively being tuned ahead of the DLC.
Why This Window Matters
Announced with a ten-week runway, Afterlife is the first paid DLC for the original game in roughly twenty years — a genuinely rare event for a 2005 title with 9M+ cumulative players and 1B+ hours played (series-wide). That context is on the First DLC in 20 Years.
Things That Wait Until Launch
No DLC version number or patch notes exist yet — those arrive with the build on January 13, 2027. Boss rosters, skill numbers and drop rates are likewise launch-day knowledge; this wiki’s News will carry every dated update.
Release Date FAQ
When is the Guild Wars Afterlife release date?
January 13, 2027 (planned), as officially announced on November 3, 2026.
Has Guild Wars Afterlife been delayed?
No delay has been announced. January 13, 2027 remains the official planned date as of November 5, 2026.
What time does Afterlife unlock?
Unlock times by region are unpublished. Expect details from Steam and ArenaNet closer to launch; watch the news page.
Can I preload or play early?
No preload or early-access program is announced. Preordering grants the Vestments of the Order costume, not early entry — see the preorder bonus page.