ArenaNet has announced that the first public beta will kick off on Friday, August 7th beginning at 12:00 pm Pacific / 3:00 pm Eastern and will run through 12:00 pm Pacific / 3:00 pm Eastern on Monday, August 10th. Players who have preordered the Heart of Thorns expansion will be eligible for the event and will have access to all forthcoming beta weekends until HoT launches.