Massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) are a new genre of computer game which are proving very successful across the globe. Client software is installed on your computer, and this lets you connect to the game's servers. Joining thousands - even millions - of other players online, you are no longer restricted to just working through a storyline alone. Usually online games like Lord of the Rings have a regular subscription fee, on top of 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 opportunity to play Guild Wars as little or as often as they want. The lack of a monthly fee is a big advantage. Copies of the game 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 guides.

Eye of the North is the first expansion to the three Guild Wars campaigns - Prophecies, Factions and Nightfall. Designed both for experienced 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 the expansion, 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 Eye of the North.

Compared to previous campaigns like Guild Wars Factions, more depth has been added to Eye of the North with the introduction of dungeons. Even the Eye of the North maps have been upgraded to accommodate the new map 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 ArenaNet's first true expansion, requiring one of the existing campaigns to be installed first. Aimed at experienced characters, there are no new professions or characters available. New features are provided for experienced characters, like the Hall of Monuments where you can save things like Guild Wars builds 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 due in 2008.