After spending a few hours creating my character, I saw that it was possible to play with my ArenaNet account...😂

Library > Right-click on Guild Wars 2 > Properties > Launch Options > Add: -provider Portal

For me it's too late, I'm already attached to the character, but maybe it can help some people who wouldn't have seen the guide.

The first thing you should know about Guild Wars 2, is that it's available in two different variants, which are Mutually Incompatible. The first, and the original, is the NCSoft variant, downloadable from the official ArenaNet website; the other one is the Steam variant, downloadable from the Steam store. Both variants have access to the exact same content, and the players play together regardless of which one they use.

However, accounts you create are separate for each. This means that when you buy expansions, you have to buy them from the same site you've downloaded the base game from. Any cash shop purchases are also site-specific - the ones purchased while playing on one platform wouldn't be usable within another.

So which one should you choose? They each have their advantages and drawbacks:

"The ArenaNet" version:

Has a much better choice of bundles you can purchase, often a better selection of "freebies" offered with each one, and, reportedly, better customer support. Also If you are a returning player who purchased anything from the ArenaNet site in the past, you will be much better off sticking with them - accessing your existing ArenaNet account via Steam is only possible if you bypass the Steam launcher. I would not describe the method here, as it has been described many times before.

However, this version has a very serious drawback: Sometimes, your purchases on the official site don't come through! This happens regardless of whether you buy expansions or gems, and regardless of whether you've made a successful purchase in the past. The error messages tend to be very generic. Possible reasons for those messages include, but are not limited to: your browser's ad blocker; your browser's built-in security features; Javascript not being enabled; and even, it seems, using a Visa card (even the debit one) to make your purchase. I have made at least 10 attempts over the course of 5 days to purchase a bundle specific to the ArenaNet store, done everything recommended by the support team, but was unable to resolve the issue.

The Steam version:

Fewer bundles, and, reportedly, the customer support isn't as good. However when I got tired of my "epic quest" with trying to buy expansions off the ArenaNet site, I turned to Steam. My purchase was as easy as with all the other Steam games I've bought over the years - it worked first time, with not a single error message in sight! I got the first season of the Living Story thrown in for free, a shared inventory slot and a level 80 boost. That's despite buying the cheapest bundle!

So why should you try Guild Wars 2 in the first place? Here are my top 3 reasons:

1. Business model. As far as I know, GW2 is the only MMO on the market that uses a "Buy-to-Play, no subscription at all" model, while Also having a free trial to max level, with relatively few restrictions. So if you like the game after trying it out, you only need to make one "semi-compulsory" expansion purchase to remove those restrictions - after that, all purchases are on "what you want, when you want, if you want" basis.

2. Player freedom. Unlike traditional MMO quests, renown hearts and dynamic events require you to simply turn up in the area to take part. Not needing to run to and from the quest giver (unless you want to) gives the gameplay a natural "flow"

3. The best game to play with a friend! Resource nodes are "instanced" to each player, so you can harvest from them even if someone just did it right before you. Any player can revive any other regardless of race, class, or being grouped with them. And if a friend needs your help with doing their Personal Story quest, they only need to group with you to invite you into their instance. You can even choose to get the rewards for it - class-appropriate, as if you've done it on your own!

The amount of features in GW2 is a bit overwhelming, so I suggest you watch two YouTube videos to get you started: "A Beginners Guide to Guild Wars 2" by Josh Strife Hayes, and "Everything to do in Guild Wars 2 and Why" by Mighty Teapot. Both are quite long, but very clear.

Played this version by accident, and got a bunch of skins.
Realized it, and went back to my ArenaNet account.
Tried to submit a ticket to get my things transferred, and regardless of the money and time spent, and regardless of my 'good standing', """nothing could be done."""

I understand it was my fault for not paying attention, but it wouldn't take much to rectify.
Just in-game mail me the outfits I have, and de-activate my GW2 Steam Account.

As a former dev, myself, who's worked on an MMO, it's not that hard.

Be careful with your time and money with this dev/publisher.
They don't give 2 ♥♥♥♥♥ about you.