ArenaNet teases something big for Guild Wars 2, Flame and Frost: Prelude set to start a new narrative

Big things are headed our way in Guild Wars 2, and ArenaNet has begun teasing the January 28 content patch, officially named Flame & Frost: Prelude. If that name doesn't set off a few hints for you, then clearly, you've not paid enough attention to the Guild Wars lore.

The Flame & Frost event marks the beginning of a larger narrative, which will be stretched across the following months. Something wicked stirs in the north, sending charr and norn refugees flocking south from the Wayfarer Foothills and Diessa Plateau, while a call for volunteers and aid goes out. Perhaps we'll finally get to see a greater focus on Jormag or an enemy other than damn Risen, now that Zhaitan is canonically dead (the Karka event followed after).

Then again, this could also be an elaborate ploy to get more players into Orr.

Either way, the update will also be adding a few other game-changing features, as ArenaNet previously suggested. Achievement hunters will be awarded special laurels for beating dailies and monthlies, and these laurels will go toward buying the new Utility Infusions and Ascended Amulets. And don't worry, Anet is promising to make achievements more interesting too, so maybe more people will actually want to do them.

And of course, we can expect more:

"We’re making a ton of other improvements to the game this month, such as enhanced performance in WvW, adjustments to side-kicking balancing, and UI improvements, which will be detailed in our release notes."

For those of you who don't mind throwing money away on the Gem Store, new items will be added their as well, including an adorable Baby Quaggon Backpack. We're fairly sure it's a skin or something, but either way, the preview shot shows someone in armor wearing it, meaning it probably won't be restricted to use with town clothes. Hooray! Additionally, the Box o' Fun will be "revamped," likely to make them more worthwhile.