Train2Game students will have the opportunity to take part in a Guild Wars 2 beta later this year. That’s at least if they successfully apply for a place in ArenaNet’s testing programme.

The news came as part of a blog post celebrating the new Chinese Year of the Dragon, and revealed that the MMO is on schedule for release later this year.

“Today is Lunar New Year’s Day, and according to the Asian zodiac system, the first day of the Year of the Dragon. It’s an auspicious omen for all of us at ArenaNet, as we get ready to make this our own Year of the Dragon.” wrote ArenaNet Founder and President Mike O’Brien.

“According to tradition, the dragon embodies passion, independence, and ambition. We think it’s a perfect analogy for what we’re trying to accomplish with Guild Wars 2. We’re a company full of MMO and RPG fans, and we’ve set out to fundamentally rethink how you deliver an RPG experience online. So this year, the Year of the Dragon, let’s usher out old thinking – the tired old quest model, stiff repetitive combat, and monthly fees – and usher in the new.”

And the ArenaNet President added they will be rolling out a huge Guild Wars 2 beta in order to test the MMO in action.

“We recently finished our first closed beta test, and we’re now ready to hold progressively larger events. In February we’ll invite select press to participate in beta testing, and in March and April we’ll aggressively ramp up the size of our beta test events so that many of you will have a chance to participate.” said O’Brien

“And of course, this all leads to the release of Guild Wars 2 later this year.” He concluded.

The Train2Game Blog will be sure to bring you the latest news on the Guild Wars 2 beta, but Train2Game students can also keep an eye on the ArenaNet blog.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

The Train2Game Blog will be sure to keep you up to date with the latest beta testing opportunities.

So Train2Game, are you looking forward to Guild Wars 2? Will you be attempting to get a place in beta later this year?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.