'Guild Wars 2' players everywhere were happy to learn that ArenaNet, in combination with ESL, announced a new $400,000 Pro League for the game. This venture into eSports is sure to draw in new players as well as give GW2 pros a chance to shine.

The new 'Guild Wars 2' pro league will include two seasons of league tournaments that are open to all players 16-years-old or older. Open qualifiers for season one of 'Guild Wars 2' pro league start in November and will culminate at a Season Finals LAN event, hosted at ESL studios.

ArenaNet's venture into the eSports scene is not unprecedented. For those that may not know, the developer's new focus on competitive and professional gaming started with the introduction of World Tournament Series last year. However, this new pro league is set to be the replacement for last year's competition.

Stepping into the specifics, the pro league with feature eight teams from various regions, all competing for a piece of the $400,000 prize pool. Matches will take place over the course of two seven week seasons which will conclude with four teams chosen post qualifiers. The other four teams in the finals will be selected from a pool of World Tournament Series Finalists and the highest ranking teams in the last round of the October Go4GuildWars2 Cups.

A move like this seems promising for both ArenaNet as well as those behind the workings of ESL. Sebastian Weishaar, Senior VP of International Business at ESL had some choice words on the matter.

With regards to why they chose this new eSports venture and partnership with ArenaNet, he said "ArenaNet's Guild Wars 2 recently enjoyed record numbers for players participating in PvP competition, and we are confident that the ESL Guild Wars 2 Pro League will help further foster this growth."

He went on to add, "At ESL, we're very excited for what lies in store for the ever-evolving game and look forward to enjoying its high-level competition both online and in our Burbank and Cologne studios."