ArenaNet details the tech powering Guild Wars 2 at GDC Online

Creating a modern MMO requires an enormous range of technical expertise. From the server backend, to the client graphics engine, to the web hosting infrastructure, studios need to be prepared to tackle a lot of challenges to get their game running smoothly. ArenaNet's recently launched Guild Wars 2 is of course no exception, and at this month's GDC Online, the studio's technical director, Cameron Dunn, will outline the various technical challenges the team had to overcome when crafting this large-scale online RPG. During his session, "Guild Wars 2: Programming the Next Generation Online World," Dunn will discuss the tech that powers Guild Wars 2's combat system, its World vs. World PvP arenas, and much more. He'll also pull back the curtain on the game's patching system, which allows ArenaNet "to roll out new builds in a matter of minutes without requiring downtime." Attendees at this talk will walk away with a better understanding of what it takes to create and launch a game like Guild Wars 2, and they'll also learn how the tools used to create these major MMOs can also benefit other types of online games. As part of GDC Online's Programming track, this talk will be open to All Access pass holders. The show itself will take place October 9-11 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. In addition to the above presentation, GDC Online recently added the following talks to the show's Main Conference: - As part of the show's Programming track, Electrotank's RJ Lorimer and Versant Corporation's Robert Greene will examine how to maximize online game performance in "Lag Sucks: Making Online Gaming Faster with NoSQL, and without Breaking the Bank." During this session, the pair will discuss "how Electrotank used their existing, Java-standard based skills to migrate their database to a NoSQL solution," and created a codebase that could more easily support online games. - Over in the Business & Marketing track, Spacetime Studios CEO Gary Gattis will host "How to Build a Company to Weather Any Storm." Here, Gattis will explain how the Pocket Legends and Dark Legends developer created a healthy company culture that encourages high employee retention, and he'll share a number of tips to help other game studios do the same. - Finally, Superdata Research's Joost van Dreunen will look at essential data on the mobile and online game market in the Business & Marketing track session "Free-to-Play Market Trends and Metrics." This presentation will examine the latest market trends through a data-driven lens, and will give developers the insight they need to make informed decisions about the future of their games and companies. These new talks join scores of other sessions already announced for GDC Online. For more information on any of the 100+ talks in the show's lineup, check out GDC Online's official Schedule Builder. For even more information on GDC Online, you can also check out the latest newsletter for the UBM TechWeb Game Network, in which GREE discusses its new platform and its GDC Online contest and party, Wargaming.net touches on its Expo Floor networking lounge, and Xsolla details the online payment solution it'll be showing off at this month's show. (This is the final GDC Online show in Austin -- organizers have announced a successor, Game Developers Conference Next, debuting in Los Angeles in November 2013 alongside the new App Developers Conference.) To learn more about GDC Online, visit the show's official website, or subscribe to regular updates via Facebook, Twitter, or RSS.