In development for PC and Mobile platforms
Shanghai, China – 22nd June: The beloved fantasy franchise Guild Wars expands into new territory with the announcement of a brand new free-to-play digital collectible card game (CCG), Mistbound. Officially licensed by ArenaNet, developed by NC, and globally published by bilibili, Mistbound marks the first CCG spin-off set within the Guild Wars universe. Designed around new multi-directional card movement mechanics, Mistbound aims to bring new energy to the traditional CCG universe and honor the legacy of Guild Wars for players.
Mistbound is an all-new experience which bridges the gap between Guild Wars’ MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) legacy and the immensely popular deckbuilding strategy genre. Mistbound will draw upon the franchise’s deep lore, iconic characters, and beautiful art and music, while simultaneously introducing new strategic depth, and community-driven content in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
“We felt it was time to give Guild Wars fans a new way to play together, inspired by the card game roots of the franchise, where they could compete in a competitive PvP arena in a CCG game space. Having all those experiences they love of the characters and creatures and the sounds of the world of Tyria brought to life in CCG,” said Colin Johanson, Studio Head at ArenaNet.
In Mistbound, players will step into the boots of a commander, becoming one with the battlefield as they select cards to deploy onto a dynamic 5 x 3 tactical grid and crucially reposition them turn-by-turn in response to enemy movements. This feature dubbed ‘Dynamic Movement Gameplay’ allows each card to move in multiple directions per turn, ensuring exciting and unpredictable moment-to-moment gameplay.
“One challenge with pursuing deep strategic combinations in card games is that the cards themselves can easily become overly complex,” said Hwang Sunwoo, Producer of Mistbound at NC. “Rather than placing that complexity on individual cards, we wanted to express it through the battlefield. Our goal is to create a CCG that, over time, continues to offer more choices and gameplay possibilities, and one that players can enjoy for the long term.”
See more insights into Mistbound‘s development with the new interview trailer here:
“At first, the game is approachable. Placing units on a battlefield and engaging in combat is intuitive, allowing new players to learn quickly. But as you continue playing, you begin focusing on the significance of every turn and every decision. Eventually, you discover the satisfaction of reading and controlling the entire board,” said Baek Hakjun, Game Designer of Mistbound, better known as “Kranich,” a former professional Hearthstone player and World Championship competitor.
Please see a summary of Mistbound’s initial features below:
- Dynamic movement-driven gameplay
Unlike traditional static battlefield systems, Mistbound brings battles to life through a dynamic 5×3 tactical grid where both commanders and units can freely move, reposition, and outmaneuver opponents. This creates fast-paced, interactive matches that feel fresh, engaging, and full of tactical possibilities. - Deep yet accessible gameplay experience
Mistbound’s movement system introduces exciting mechanics such as knockbacks, pulls, flanking opportunities, and shifting offense-defense positioning, adding meaningful strategic depth while remaining intuitive and easy to pick up. Commanders are no longer passive support characters standing in the backline, they actively join the fight as powerful playmakers capable of turning the tide of battle in dramatic ways. - Commander × Profession System
Iconic Guild Wars characters step onto the battlefield as commanders, each bringing unique abilities, traits, and tactical identity. Drawing direct inspiration from Guild Wars 2’s long-standing nine professions, the system faithfully preserves the franchise’s signature combat styles while opening up new strategic combinations. By freely pairing commanders and professions, Mistbound unlocks rich tactical diversity and reinforces the series’ depth and class expression. - Signature Guild Wars Audiovisual Identity
Mistbound continues the expressive fantasy visual legacy of the Guild Wars franchise. Beloved characters return with a refreshed presentation that blends epic scale with refined detail, delivering a visually rich experience that both honors the original aesthetic and reimagines it for a new strategic battlefield. Players are invited to rediscover the world of Guild Wars through a fresh yet familiar lens. With contributions from original music creators and character-driven voice performances, Mistbound delivers an immersive soundscape designed to evoke nostalgia while elevating emotional engagement for long-time fans and new players alike.
The collaboration between ArenaNet, NC and bilibili represents a meaningful new chapter in game development. ArenaNet’s vibrant IP legacy, combined with NC’s cutting-edge research and development capabilities, are now amplified by bilibili’s player-first philosophy and expertise in community engagement.
bilibili, often described as “the Chinese YouTube,” remains relatively unknown in the West but has consistently demonstrated global distribution dedication, bringing hits like the recent Jujutsu Kaisen Phantom Parade to audiences worldwide. In China’s entertainment ecosystem, bilibili stands as a true powerhouse in content creation and gaming communities. With 107 million daily active users boasting over 80% yearly retention, bilibili sets a benchmark for other major online video networks with its loyal and high-quality audience. bilibili is supported by more than 1.5 million professional content creators and a robust content ecosystem of 7,000+ interest groups, where gaming content dominates through livestreams, reviews, tutorials, and esports coverage, delivering unparalleled feedback driven insights.
For Mistbound, this means development is guided not only by proven technical capability but also by direct, high-quality player input, particularly critical in the CCG space where meta evolution, community-driven events, and content creation shape a sustainable and engaging card game experience for players.
To learn more about Mistbound including details of future play opportunities, please visit the game’s official website and visit the official YouTube channel.
About ArenaNet
ArenaNet is the developer of the groundbreaking Guild Wars 2 and best-selling Guild Wars online role-playing games. The studio’s mission is to create innovative online worlds, cultivate a vibrant and engaged global community of players, and to incorporate handcrafted artistry into every aspect of their games. ArenaNet formed in 2000 and it has attracted over 25 million players worldwide, with press and fans consistently calling Guild Wars 2 one of the best MMOs and RPGs of all time.
About NC
NC is a leading global game company dedicated to delivering immersive entertainment experiences through innovative online and mobile games. Founded in 1997 in South Korea, NC has established itself as one of the pioneers of the online gaming industry, known for creating globally recognized franchises across MMORPG, action, and multiplayer genres.
About bilibili
bilibili is an iconic online entertainment brand with a mission to enrich the everyday lives of younger generations in China. First launched in June 2009 and officially named “bilibili” in January 2010, the platform has evolved from a content community inspired by anime, comics, and games (ACG) into a comprehensive online entertainment ecosystem covering a wide range of genres and media formats, including video content, live streaming, and mobile games.
bilibili provides immersive entertainment experiences and high-quality content tailored to the evolving and diverse interests of its users and communities. The platform has been built upon the strong emotional connections users have with its content and community culture.
