ArenaNet has simplified how Guild Wars 2 sells its Living World story. Season 2 is now free through the base game, while Seasons 3, 4 and 5 are included with expansions instead of being sold episode by episode.
Players with a level 80 character can access Living World Season 2, matching the existing access model for Season 1. That creates a continuous route from the core story into Heart of Thorns without an additional Season 2 purchase.
Later seasons move into expansion ownership
Living World Seasons 3 and 4 now come with the combined Heart of Thorns and Path of Fire package. Season 5, The Icebrood Saga, now comes with End of Dragons. Existing owners of those expansions should receive any missing episodes automatically.
The change ends individual sales of Living World seasons. It does not make Seasons 3 through 5 free to every account; access follows ownership of the relevant expansion package.
Bundles and refunds also change
The revised Elder Dragon Saga bundle contains the first three expansions and Living World Seasons 3, 4 and 5. A new Astral Ward Saga bundle groups Secrets of the Obscure, Janthir Wilds and Visions of Eternity. The Complete Collection combines all six expansions with the three paid Living World seasons.
Steam uses dynamic bundle pricing, so content already owned reduces the price of an eligible bundle. Character slots and shared inventory slots attached to an expansion are not granted a second time when an owner buys a bundle containing that expansion.
ArenaNet also says accounts that bought Living World content after September 12, 2026 will receive an automatic gem refund equal to that content’s value. Some Elder Dragon Saga Complete Collection purchases qualify for partial gem refunds. Players who are still missing an eligible refund or the revised Starter Pack items after October 15 are directed to ArenaNet Support.
Sources
- Reporting source: GamerHeadlines
- Official bundle announcement: ArenaNet
