Massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) are a new genre of computer game which are proving enormously successful across the world. Game software is installed on your computer, and this lets you login to the game’s servers. Joining thousands - even millions - of other players online, you are no longer restricted to just playing through a storyline by yourself. Usually games like World of Warcraft have a monthly subscription fee, as well as the upfront fee required to purchase the game software.

Guild Wars from ArenaNet does away with these subscription fees. Once you have bought the software, installed it, and created an account to log in to the game, everything is free. This gives players the freedom to play Guild Wars as little or as often as they want. The lack of a monthly fee is a big bonus. Copies of the software can be bought very cheaply via online retailers, making Guild Wars an inexpensive and fun introduction to the world of MMORPGs, fuelling a thriving demand for Guild Wars maps.

Eye of the North is the first expansion to the three Guild Wars campaigns - Prophecies, Factions and Nightfall. Designed both for existing Guild Wars players, and as a bridge to Guild Wars 2, Eye of the North introduces two new NPC races - the Asura and the Norn.

The Asura and the Norn each have a relevant new Title Track. You will need to advance on these to gain access to Asura and Norn NPCs in Eye of the North, unlocking access to new Guild Wars armor.

Eye of the North takes place 8 years after “The Searing” happens in the Prophecies. A series of earthquakes shake all 3 of Guild Wars’ continents where each of the stand alone Guild Wars campaigns takes place. Strange beasts rise from the abysses created by the earthquake, thus starting your character’s journey to the Far Shiverpeaks.

Compared to previous titles like Guild Wars Nightfall, more depth has been added to EotN with the introduction of dungeons. Even the Eye of the North maps have been upgraded to accommodate the new dungeon features. Each time you complete a dungeon you will be rewarded with a new completed page in your dungeon logbook. You can then exchange completed dungeon books to one of the Title Track factions for massive amounts of Reputation points.

Eye of the North is Guild Wars’ first true expansion, requiring one of the original campaigns to be purchased first. Aimed at experienced players, there are no new professions or characters available. New features are provided for experienced players, like the Hall of Monuments where you can save things like Guild Wars weapons as well as other character information. This feature is available to provide a link between characters from Guild Wars, and the sequel, Guild Wars 2, which is in beta this year.