What happens on release day?

When the game is released, what will we have to do to play it?
Will we have to go to the shop and pick up our pre-ordered cd, then install and then play, or will the BWE client become the client for the full game?

You will need the retail version of the game because you will need the retail product key. I am fairly certain that you will be able to continue to use the current client that you have installed.

I have played another NcSoft release name of Lineage2.I played the pre-order and when it was released all I had to do was pickup the game from the store and enter the cd key code and I was in.I did not have to reinstall the game and most likely GW will be the same.Just remember on occassion to run the GW exe to update till release so that the final download will not take long

Will that early access period use our BWE key or our retail cd-key?

Well if you had the retail cd key there would be no need to have the extension.Most likely the extension is for those that have the preorder cd key,hence the 48 hrs,so that people can have time to pick up their game at the store without disrupting game play.

Heh, I guess I should have selected pick-up instead of delivery.

well depending on where you delivered from, for EB says they ship it on the 26th and i have the 2 day shipping, so hopefully will be here by the 29th, when i actually have to start using the real key

And if it gets there by the 29th you dont have any of time because of the days you can use your beta key before you need the real key.

Pre-ordered from BestBuy, and they don't really have a shipment date only that the game is released on the 28th. Anyone have information about BestBuy?

actually that is incorrect. The extended period of an extra day or so early is a reward to pre-orders. Your pre-order key will get you in the day early. As soon as the game is officially open to everyone you will then have to enter your retail key to play. If you don't yet have the retail key, you will not be able to play.

Are you sure the lockout will be from the time the game is officially open to everyone? Or from 48 hours after 12:01 a.m. Pacific on April 27th?

You will most likely be able to play with your BWE install and not have to even open the CD as the CD-key is used when creating an account, and not when installing the game. You will probably have to go to NCSoft's site and register your account. If you have already been playing the BWE you will probably already have an account created so you will just put in your account info and then your new retail CD-key. Then you can log in and play! Although you may have to download a patch first.

As far as the "extended" pre-order playtime, it is my understanding that it will be 48 hours, starting at 12:01AM on April 27th and ending at 12:00AM on April 29th (the "day" the game comes out). So, to refrase, you will be able to play the day before the game comes out, and the day the game comes out. You will NOT be able to play the day after the game comes out until you put in your new retail CD-key.

Just my guess on how things are gonna go down.

-Virt

[Edited: Fixed date, thanks spirtofcat.]

But that's only 23 hours and 59 minutes. They said it goes for 48 hours, so it should be from 12:01 on the 27th to 12:01 on the 29th. To rephrase, all of the day of the 27th and all of the day of the 28th.

You are correct, my appologise. Messed up on the date. I will edit my post to reflect that.

-Virt

12:01 AM on the 27th till 12:01 AM on the 29th?

By the way... Virt... will you be my friend?

NO

11:59 of the 28th

here is Gaile Gray on how long between preorder and switch to retail game

QUOTE
If by "grace period" you mean "How long will those who preordered Guild Wars be able to play once the game goes live," I can answer that. The game will be live to the world on April 28th. Those who preorder the game will be allowed to play as of Midnight on the 27th. The period of time that the Early Access will be offered is 48 hours. This means that those who preorder will have all of the 27th and all of the 28th to play. At 11:59 p.m. on April 28th, the access for those who preordered the game will be closed, and only those who have an actual retail copy will be able to play.

you are correct, I had misread the FAQ or forgotten it one. The official answer is

Guild Wars will be on most store shelves on April 28th, but preorder customers will be able to enter Guild Wars on 12:01 a.m. Pacific on April 27th. The period of Early Access will extend for 48 hours.

11:59PM on the 28th and 12:01AM on the 29th are 3 minutes apart. Practically the same thing.

Sure thing, always looking for new buddies. But may I know why you ask? Or was that sarcasm?

-Virt

I am so alone ::sniffle:: lol.