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NCsoft reveals two trailers for Aion Europe's F2P launch

Jef Reahard — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Aion, Business models, Lore, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play

Aion is officially free-to-play in Europe as of this week, and to celebrate, NCsoft has rolled out a couple of new trailers.

The game's Elyos and Asmodian factions get their own video clips, though the footage is largely the same excepting a brief intro and the appropriate voiceovers. There are a lot of battle shots, some glimpses of the high-level Dredgion instance, and a taste of each faction's lore (specifically, how each group blames the other for starting the endless war for the soul of Atreia).

Check out both clips after the break, and keep up with the latest Aion happenings via our weekly Wings Over Atreia column.

Continue reading NCsoft reveals two trailers for Aion Europe's F2P launch

NCsoft reveals two trailers for Aion Europe's F2P launch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Aion, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia

That's what this week's column is made of!

Back when I first decided I wanted to venture to the dark side of Aion and compare the leveling experiences of the two realms, I didn't really fathom that there would be so much content added that it would be hard to break away from sampling all of the goodies on my home server. Besides that, with all of the changes, comparing the leveling is just impossible. I knew that it would be easier with the introduction of repeatable quests, but it's just plain stupid-easy to level now as opposed to way back pre-Balaurea.

Even with the leveling comparison effectively nixed, I still can report on the differences in the feel of the two worlds as well as just run through and reflect on my impressions of the Asmodian life to give some screen time to the glowy-eyes. Did I mention I love the glowy eyes? With that in mind, Wings Over Atreia devotes this week to the furbacks (said with love!).

Glide past the cut for a look at Daevic life in Asmodae from Ascension to the Abyss.

Gallery: Aion: La Vida Asmo

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales

Wings Over Atreia: Snips and snails and Asmo tales originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft looking to bolster Aion's Asmodian population

Jef Reahard — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, MMO industry, News items

If you've been considering a walk down Aion's darker path, there's never been a better time. NCsoft's newest web announcement outlines the perks for rolling an Asmodian avatar on all but one of the servers scheduled to undergo the faction incentive program. Benefits include XP amulets, Gateway Getaway events that permit fortress instance entry regardless of the controlling faction, and siege bonuses composed of additional medals.

Asmodian players on the North American Zikel and Siel servers are eligible for the bonuses. Across the pond, Asmos are receiving assistance on Spatalos, Telemachus, Thor, and Urtem, while Elyos players on the Perento shard can look forward to a fort siege incentive.

NCsoft looking to bolster Aion's Asmodian population originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion preparing Asmodian faction incentives

Jef Reahard — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items

The 2.5 patch isn't the only thing coming to Aion's live servers this month. NCsoft is preparing a faction incentive program designed to entice players to roll Asmodian characters on both North American and European shards.

Asmodian avatars at level 10 or higher will receive Berdin's Amulets, which grant 50% more XP from hunting, gathering, and crafting for a period of one hour (with a one-hour cooldown period after activation). Gateway Getaway events will also happen more frequently, and Asmodian characters will be granted entry to Abyss instances despite Elyos ownership of the forts.

Finally, fortress siege incentives will be handed out on a weekly basis, with additional medals being awarded based on which forts are conquered. In short, there's never been a better time to roll an Asmodian alt or convince your friends to join you on Aion's dark side. Head to the official web site for more info.

Aion preparing Asmodian faction incentives originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: First impressions of the assault

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Aion, Opinion, First Impressions, Wings Over Atreia

With the launch of Aion's long-anticipated expansion, Assault on Balaurea, NCsoft has laid out a spread of goodies, from tasty little morsels of fluff to meatier content fare. What all did this free expansion bring to the plate? Solo instances, pets, ground assault PvP in new zones, higher-level materials and crafting, and new travel methods are just a few of the goodies that awaited Daeva when they first logged in last Tuesday.

Hungry Daevas have had almost a full week to either nibble at or just plain dive into the buffet of new offerings in the world of Atreia. Even with a glitch (seriously, is there something in the MMO rulebook that says a launch cannot go off without a hitch?), a number of Daevas have been scarfing up everything they can get their wings on. The release even brought back many old faces, who stopped in to sample the new goodies.

So how did all this taste? Grab a napkin and munch your way through the cut to savor the new flavor of Aion for yourself.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: First impressions of the assault

Wings Over Atreia: First impressions of the assault originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion developers acting to correct server imbalances

Rubi Bayer — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, News items

Aion's July community address mentions the upcoming 2.0 patch, of course, but that's not what grabbed the attention of the fans.

The recent server merge created some predictable imbalances, and the Aion team has made a few decisions on how to begin rectifying them. NCsoft's Lance Stites, who penned this month's address, tells fans that server transfers have been temporarily disabled while the devs sort things out: "All the associated Aion teams are working on a solution to allow character transfers to resume with appropriate limits in place to prevent radically unbalanced servers."

Furthermore, race creation is "selectively" limited on each server, in the hopes that it will help balance things out. "For instance, if you're playing on a predominantly Elyos server, Asmodian creation will be the only race available for new characters," says Stites.

The situation is only temporary, and hopefully only a first step in sorting things out on the newly-consolidated Aion servers. Take a look at the Aion site for the full July community address.

Aion developers acting to correct server imbalances originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion free account reactivations, double XP incoming

Jef Reahard — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, News items

Dust off your wings and brush up on your flying technique, as NCsoft is picking up the tab for your return to the world of Atreia (at least for a weekend). Beginning Friday, July 30th at 11:00 a.m. EDT, all inactive Aion accounts will be reactivated free of charge. If that's not enough to excite the daeva in you, double XP will be in effect as well. Both promotions conclude Monday, August 2nd at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

Whether you're coming back to check out the game revisions included in the 1.9 patch, grabbing a few levels in preparation for 2.0, or just looking to kill time and catch up with some old friends, it's hard to beat the price and faster advancement to boot. Read the full announcement at the official Aion website.

Aion free account reactivations, double XP incoming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Living la vida Asmo

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia

Now, it is oft heard that "Asmos don't get no lovin'!" Perusing threads, or even listening to faction-hoppers in game, you hear many complaints that Asmodians have it just that much harder than their fair-winged counterparts -- that Asmodae is harder to level in than Elysea, the Elyos have better mobs, easier quests, better loot, more press time, and so on. Basically, that the Elyos race is the "favorite child." In the interest of representing both factions in Aion, I gave readers the chance to choose my class as I ventured into Asmodae as a black-winged beauty (sorry folks, I just can't bring myself to create a male character).

And the votes are in! Your choice for my new persona is --drum roll -- priest! While I was excited to delve into the class, a part of me wondered if there was an ulterior motive to this choice... a cry for more healers among the Asmodians, perhaps? Regardless of the reasoning behind it, yours truly slipped out of Elysea and into Asmodae. While it will take me a while (since I am not a power-grinder), I am going to take you along with me as we journey through life on the dark side, comparing the leveling on each side of the planet. In this installment, we are looking at Asmodian life from creation to ascension.

Follow across the cut to join me in my very first clawed footsteps, as well as a hint to maximize your experience at beginning levels.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Living la vida Asmo

Wings Over Atreia: Living la vida Asmo originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose my Adventure: Farewell to Aion

Shawn Schuster — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Hands-on, Choose My Adventure

Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months are up, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

This is our last week with NCsoft's Aion, so we want to make sure to give it a proper send-off. If you haven't been following along, I spent the last six weeks with Aion, exploring the game as a brand-new player would, with a little help from your suggestions along the way.

So did I enjoy myself? What's my overall impression of the first 23 levels of the game? Most importantly: did I have fun? Keep reading after the jump to find out what I thought.

Continue reading Choose my Adventure: Farewell to Aion

Choose my Adventure: Farewell to Aion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose my Adventure: Thank you, Basfelt Village

Shawn Schuster — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Massively Meta, Hands-on, Choose My Adventure

Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months is up, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

My adventures in Aion continued ever-so slowly this week as I crawled through two more levels to hit 14. Last week's vote chose my crafting profession, and adventuring through further areas of Altgard showed me that there's so much more out there to kill than walking lizards and rainbow storks.

So this week, instead of having a definitive poll, I'm going to ask you to give suggestions in the comments for next week's adventure. What would you like to see me do with my Spiritmaster? C'mon you 500+ people who voted for me to play Aion, make your voice heard! Keep reading below to share your opinion as well as hear my impressions of the journey so far.

Continue reading Choose my Adventure: Thank you, Basfelt Village

Choose my Adventure: Thank you, Basfelt Village originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Cross-faction fashion

Krystalle Voecks — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Aion, One Shots

When it comes to glorious visuals, very few would say that Aion wasn't breathtaking. That said, there seems to be some strangeness going on with clothing: the Asmodians like the Elysean clothing, and the Elyseans are quite fond of the Asmodian gear. Today's Aion One Shots comes in to us from Janis T. who explains more about this lovely shot and the mixed fashions herein.

With a game like Aion, whose hype can largely be credited to its graphics, it was only a matter of time (and money) before I started obsessing over my character's armour. As if I hadn't spent enough time on the character creation screen! Despite rolling Asmodian, I have an extreme fondness for Elysean armour and scenery. This is my character Soul (Asmodian Ranger, Marchutan) in Brusthonin, wearing a full set of Elyos armour. There has recently been another picture posted of an Elyos wearing Asmodian armour -- but let me tell you this, obtaining armour of the opposing faction is much, much harder as an Asmodian.

One Shots is all about you, but we need your screenshots to show that off! Just send those in to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description of what's going on. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sending it in.

Gallery: One Shots

One Shots: Cross-faction fashion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A retrospective of Aion's first month (part 2)

Brooke Pilley — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Massively Hands-on

Continue reading A retrospective of Aion's first month (part 2)

A retrospective of Aion's first month (part 2) originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everything Aion: Transportation 101

Lesley Smith — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion

Transportation is important to any MMO, especially one like Aion which doesn't include the option of a mount. Yes, there are no cats, no horses or flying creatures to ride. It's just you, your feet, your wings and a little magic. Now the starter zones might look small but the main areas are ten times the size which can take a good half an hour to cross, not including time spent dying. Today we're going to have a look at transportation and what you need to know to navigate around. Elysea and Asmodae so join us after the jump to find out the secrets of travel in Aion.

Continue reading Everything Aion: Transportation 101

Everything Aion: Transportation 101 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everything Aion: Flight 101

Lesley Smith — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, in-game, Lore

Flight is probably the thing which has drawn most people to Aion. The idea of soaring high above the cloud on a pair of white/black-feathered wings is a universally appealing one. The reality, however, is a little different. Flight in Aion is not something you can do immediately nor indefinitely and the rules for this are not just to be annoying, they are a part of the game's world and lore.

Join us after the jump when we look at everything you need to know about using your wings.

Continue reading Everything Aion: Flight 101

Everything Aion: Flight 101 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft and DC Comics announce Aion comic book

Lesley Smith — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, Lore, New titles, News items

NCsoft and DC Comics have teamed up to create a limited edition comic based on Aion which focuses on the Asmodian Daeva Aiva. She might look familiar as her image is used to advertise the game and a statue of her will also be found in the Collector's Edition when Aion is released later this month.

"Aiva's Story" is the work of artist Neil Googe and writers David Noonan and Ricardo Sanchez. Aiva's life is torn apart when her family is killed by an Elyos raiding party. Embittered, she endures a harsh life as a mercenary, fighting Karnifs and the Mau. She brings with her a festering hatred for the white-winged Elyos, eventually ascending to Daevahood and is posted to the Abyss. The comic book will be available (albeit in limited quantities) at the Aion booth at this weekend's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle but fans will also be able to get their hands on a copy by purchasing the game at GameStop in the US and Electronic Boutique stores in Canada..

You can check out our gallery below to see the cover art in it's full glory, as well as some internal artwork.

Gallery: Aion: Aiva's Story

Want to know more about Aion? NCsoft invites you into the world of Atreia where the Elyos and the Asmodians fight each other and the evil Balaur for control of the shattered planet. Check out out all our coverage of this must-play MMO!

NCsoft and DC Comics announce Aion comic book originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft announces Aion NA and EU open beta details

Lesley Smith — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Guild Wars, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, Lore, New titles, Patches, News items

There have been rumblings for weeks about an open beta for Aion, NCsoft's latest MMO and the company has finally confirmed details about what we can expect. North American and European gamers who may not have gotten access to the Closed Beta Tests will get an opportunity to sample Aion, exploring the beautiful world of Atreia as either an Asmodian or Elyos. The beta will take place between September 6th - 13th and will include the new Westernised character customization options, as well as a chance to see The Shadow of Balaur, the newest patch which was added to the Korean version of the game in August.

As with the final CBTs, the open beta will have a level cap of 30, which means new players to the game can experience ascension to Daevahood as well as the PvPvE area known as the Abyss. Gamers who pre-ordered Aion will also get access to the pre-select and a two-day headstart before the game officially launches on September 22nd in the US and the 25th in Europe. The pre-select will take place on September 18, while Aion's headstart period will begin September 20. So if you want to take part, it might be wise to pre-order now, especially given the new Guild Wars cross promotion we told you about earlier in the week.

NCsoft announces Aion NA and EU open beta details originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Aion CBT promises a sneak peek at launch day content

Lesley Smith — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, in-game, Lore, Patches, News items

Is it nearly September? Apparently so as the sixth and final Aion Closed Beta Test (CBT) kicks off this weekend. Over the last five CBTs we've had the chance to play both Elyos and Asmodians, to see the starter zones and the Abyss, to taste the PvPvE content, find our avatar's voice and, of course, spread our wings and fly. According to the game's official site, CBT 6 sees the level cap at 30, ready for some higher level content from The Shadow of the Balaur, also known as patch 1.5.

Perhaps more promising is the announcement of new story-driven content designed to give us a taste of what is to come: "We want to conclude closed beta testing on a high note, so we are arranging a series of story-driven in-game events, in part hinting at some of the much-anticipated content forthcoming in with our massive release day patch."

Here's hoping for a little Dreadgion action and a taste of Dark Poeta when the beta kicks off this Friday at noon PST and 8pm CEST over in Europe. We'll keep you updated as soon as the Aion dev team get into more specifics about their plans.

Final Aion CBT promises a sneak peek at launch day content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion intro cinematic beautiful but slightly vague?

Brooke Pilley — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Aion

With Aion set to launch in just over a month, it seems like we're getting goodies on a daily basis that help keep the hype train in (loco)motion. The most recent release is the game's intro cinematic that gives a brief overview of Atreia's history and tries to set the tone for the PvPvE struggle between the Elyos, Asmodians, and Balaur.

The trailer is done in CGI but there are times when it's hard to tell whether or not they are using cinematic graphics or in-game graphics. This is a testament to the game's Crytek engine, which the developers really seem to have taken advantage of. As for the intro story, well, to be honest it's a little vague. That isn't to say that the lore of Atreia is weak -- it truly isn't -- but the cinematic doesn't really get into the lore all that much, which has left some viewers confused. The most common questions we're hearing are, "Why are the Elyos and Asmodians fighting each other? Shouldn't they be unified by a common enemy?" and "What's this about an assassination?" One witty commenter wanted to know if Atreians are mole-people because they seem to be living inside the planet rather than outside.

Check out the video for yourself after the cut!

Continue reading Aion intro cinematic beautiful but slightly vague?

Aion intro cinematic beautiful but slightly vague? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands on with the Aion beta: The lore of Atreia

Lesley Smith — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Lore

Now we've had a good look at Aion and tried out both factions it's time to look deeper into what makes the game tick. You might have got your wings and may even have done a little PvP but you've probably starting to pay more attention to the reasons behind the enmity between Elyos and the Asmodians and the lore of Atreia. Indeed, it's hard not to as, like any MMO, lore is the backbone of the game itself and the reasons we play.

While some of the lore can be gleaned from the in-game dialogue, sometimes you have to look deeper. NCsoft recently created a wiki on the official site, which allowed them to not only explain the game to new players but also gave them the perfect opportunity to expand on the lore. They also released an origins video, which presented key events in Atreia's history in the form of a narrated montage. Join us now as we look deeper into the lore behind a fascinating game.

Continue reading Hands on with the Aion beta: The lore of Atreia

Hands on with the Aion beta: The lore of Atreia originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion prologue videos to serve as character intro sequences?

Brooke Pilley — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Aion, News items

Update: These prologue videos WERE enabled this past beta weekend. I guess our assumption was correct! Thanks Zhiril!

As you might have gathered from our past Aion closed beta coverage, your first steps into the world of Atreia are a bit confusing. Currently, new characters are unceremoniously dumped into the world with a nasty bout of amnesia, with no idea of who they are or why they are there. The first ten levels of the game are all about regaining your memories and getting your destiny back on track.

NCsoft just released two new prologue videos and it seems like they would make perfect game introduction sequences. The Elyos prologue introduces players to the nasty Balaur creature featured later on in their destiny quests. The Asmodian prologue shows off the gray-haired Elyos warrior players do battle with in their destiny quests.

It appears that both videos take place in the Abyss and culminate in a severe bump to your character's noggin, which sends him or her crashing back down to either Elysea or Asmodae (depending on your faction). When you awaken, you no longer remember your past nor do you possess the powers of a full-fledged daeva.

Check out the videos after the cut!

Continue reading Aion prologue videos to serve as character intro sequences?

Aion prologue videos to serve as character intro sequences? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion website refresh includes game guides and wiki

Lesley Smith — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Lore, News items

Ahead of Closed Beta Test 4, which starts later today, NCsoft have revealed a new-look website for Aion: The Tower of Eternity which includes its own wiki and the electronic equivalent of a manual, explaining how to play the game. The site itself has been given an overhaul and now seems identical regardless of whether you prefer the US version or the European one. There are also feeds to Aion's Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as the collective Twitter feeds of the devs and regional CM's. All four are well worth following but more so if you've not yet pre-ordered the game or got yourself a beta key as they normally give quite a few away just before each new beta test event.

However, the big new addition to the site is the wiki. It's an excellent resource to anyone looking to figure out how the game works.and there's an especially detailed page explaining character creation, on top of this there are pages exploring the lore and the zones which have been made available to Elyos and Asmodian players. Indeed the addition of this new wiki is perfectly timed and means players new and slightly more experienced are going to be able to understand how the game works that much more easily. The wiki is still in beta, but that said, it's a wealth of official information about the game which is sure to be invaluable to players who are rolling a toon for the first time or finally exploring how the other faction lives. So, don't forget to check it out before today's fun and games begin at noon PST/8pm CET.

Aion website refresh includes game guides and wiki originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft's Lani Blazier reveals Aion's Spiritmaster class

Lesley Smith — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Classes, Interviews

NCsoft's Lani 'Liv' Blazier has revealed more detailed information on Aion's Mage subclass, the Spiritmaster, in an interview with Ten Ton Hammer. Spiritmasters are, as their name suggests, able to summon spirits who will help them battle. In the beta, it's common to see Spiritmasters running around with a fiery minion at their heels but Lani is keen to let everyone know that there's a lot more skill to playing this class than meets the eye:

"In the Aion beta, Spiritmasters can summon four kinds of spirits, each based on one of the core elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. At Aion's release, we will introduce a fifth spirit. This new spirit is specific to a character's race. Asmodian Spiritmasters will be able to summon a spirit that is a combination of the elements of fire and earth, and Elyos Spiritmasters will be able to summon a spirit that is a combination of wind and water. Each spirit has different abilities. It can be challenging at times to recognize which element would be best to call on, and it is a mark of a player's experience in the class to become skilled at this decision. Using the right spirit at the right time can be the difference between winning or losing a battle."

Check out the full interview for more information.

NCsoft's Lani Blazier reveals Aion's Spiritmaster class originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft reveal Aion's Scout sub-classes, the Assassin and the Ranger

Lesley Smith — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Aion, Game mechanics

NCsoft has just revealed another batch of class-centric screenshots for must-play MMO Aion. This time they're focusing on the agile Scout, specifically the sub-classes of the Assassin and the Ranger. Perhaps the nicest thing is the fact that the screenshots include both Elyos and Asmodian Daeva, including the particularly angelic -- but slightly menacing -- one you see above.

Assassins are, as their name suggests, crafty killers. Though physically squishy, they are, according to NCsoft, 'able to strike silently and with devastating consequences at vulnerable targets, effectively bringing down whole groups with a single action'. Perhaps the most interesting piece of lore suggests that Assassins have turned their backs on the deity known as Aion and instead 'follow the star of death for instruction'. Rangers, meanwhile, prefer to work alone or in teams, and possess 'finely honed survival instincts and the ability to endure even in the harshest of environments'. Weapons-wise, they use daggers, traps to snare their prey and are expert archers.

You can check out the images of the Ranger and Assassin in our Scout gallery below.

Gallery: Aion: A closer look at the Scout: Ranger and Assassin

NCsoft reveal Aion's Scout sub-classes, the Assassin and the Ranger originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Greener grass

Lesley Smith — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Aion, Culture, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Lore, The Daily Grind, Races

I've played Alliance since Day One of my time in World of Warcraft. Granted I've dabbled now and then with Horde, I've always been so depressed by the starting zones that I never went further than level 4. However my recent experience with Aion and leveling both factions has given me a new perspective on playing 'good' and 'evil' factions. Indeed terms like that are fast becoming obsolete. So when a friend of mine told me she had rolled a Horde on a backwater server (describing her toon as 'furry with horns') I was eager to join her. Of all the Horde races, the Tauren seem the least evil, the most peaceful and have the prettiest starter zone. So I rolled a female shaman just to be completely different and my friend chose a male warrior.

The grass really is greener on the other side of the fence. The quests are new, as is the lore and while the actual objectives are often similar it's like seeing an MMO with a new pair of eyes. Indeed I think it could totally change how you enjoy a particular MMO and how you play it. When it comes to WoW specifically, this is even more the case now that Blizzard have revealed their plans to allow you to change your faction. So, come on readers, have you leveled a toon in (insert your chosen MMO here), got them geared up and then decided to see things from the other side? Did you switch because you wanted a change? Was it the lore? Better quests? A chance to do something different? If you were like me, would you consider jumping ship and re-rolling during your next bout of burn out? Speak up, constant readers, and drop your comments in the box.

The Daily Grind: Greener grass originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get your keys for the third Aion beta weekend, before they're gone

Seraphina Brennan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion

It's going to be another weekend of angels flying around the world, except this weekend you're going to get to choose which side you want to support! Yes, that's right, it's the third weekend for the Aion beta test.

This weekend's testing focus will be on both the Elyos and Asmodian sides and testers will be able to progress all the way up to level 20. No more getting capped at 10 just after you grab your wings! The test's doors open tomorrow, July 2nd, at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET.

If you haven't gotten your key for the beta yet, run on over to Fileplanet and grab one! Sadly, at the time of this post, there are no more keys left for standard users, but Fileplanet subscribers still have the opportunity to grab an entrance into the beta. Oh, one more thing -- these keys are for North American users only.

Get your keys for the third Aion beta weekend, before they're gone originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Which version of Aion will be available at launch?

James Egan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Launches

NCsoft is hoping that the pairing of flight and fantasy in Aion will prove to be a hit in both North America and Europe. Gamers who were accepted into the betas have been asking the Aion team about which version of the title the Western markets will see at launch. NCsoft has announced: "Aion is planned to release with version 1.5, the third major game update, bringing the content as up to date as possible. The Aion team strives to keep the game content consistent between territories, and releasing with this game version brings us one step closer to this goal."

Our own Lesley Smith has been writing about her experiences with the game through Aion's various beta test phases, particularly the experience of becoming a Daeva as an Elyos or as an Asmodian; we recommend reading her hands-on series if you're interested in this title. Massively will continue to cover Aion leading right up to the game's September launch.

Which version of Aion will be available at launch? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Asmodian or Elyos?

Lesley Smith — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, The Daily Grind

When I first heard about Aion: Tower of Eternity, my first thought aside from "wow" was "I'm so going to play Elyos". It was the wings, you see, and I always seem to play on the 'good side'. However, having now played both sides, I'm torn. I love the look of the Elyos and their angelic society, but I also appreciate the struggles of the Asmodians. Plus they do that groovy glowing-eyes-in-combat thing which just looks awesome. I might just roll one of each. I was curious to see a lot of people loitering in Pandaemonium over the weekend advertising their Elyos guilds and the same thing happened during CBT1 but with Elyos advertising their Asmodian ones.

So now you've had a chance to play both factions from Aion: Tower of Eternity I'm curious to know whether you will still roll (insert your faction here) or whether you've had a change of heart. Does a particular faction's lore or locale grab you more or have you just bonded with your avatar so much that you can't dream of defecting to the other side? If you've not changed your mind, are you going to stick with your avatar during CBT3? Were you glad the Aion devs allowed you to play Elyos this weekend or were you glad you could finally roll that Asmodian? Speak up, readers, and let us know what you think.

The Daily Grind: Asmodian or Elyos? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands on with the Aion beta: Becoming a Daeva

Lesley Smith — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions

As the Aion: Tower of Eternity Closed Beta Test 2 continues, it's time to go deeper into Asmodae. You've explored Tunapre Lake, passed through Sap Farm, explored the Odella Plantation, braved the ghost-filled Ishalgen Prison Camp and you've even discovered the Forgotten Place of Exile. As you level, the Raiders and other NPCs start to mention Daevahood and an old man called Munin. Are you ready to meet destiny? Join us after the jump to find out what the future holds.

Continue reading Hands on with the Aion beta: Becoming a Daeva

Hands on with the Aion beta: Becoming a Daeva originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What did you think of Asmodae?

Lesley Smith — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Bugs, The Daily Grind

So, Closed Beta Test 2 is over and the next one is over a week away. Aion has gone silent for now and that means we have a time to reflect on the weekend's event. I got my warrior maiden to level 10 quite easily and spent the rest of the time exploring the available zones including Altgard. I have a feeling I ended up in Morheim too but scarpered as soon as I noticed the mobs were level 40. While I will probably stick with Elyos, I can't get over how beautiful Asmodae is. It's much more aesthetically pleasing than the parts of Elysea I've seen and if they could just move the sky from Altgard Fortress and Tunapre Lake to Elysea I'd be set.

So come on beta-testing readers? What did you think of Asmodae? Was it what you expected or were you, like me, a little surprised? Has it made you reconsider which race you're going to roll when the game goes live later this year? Speak up and drop your thoughts in the comments box below.

The Daily Grind: What did you think of Asmodae? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands on with the Aion beta: Your first steps in Asmodae

Lesley Smith — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Massively Hands-on

Welcome back to Aion. Yes it's Closed Beta Test 2 weekend and this time round I'm rolling Asmodian to explore a very different side of the shattered planet of Atreia. During CBT1 we showed you the lower half of the planet, a land known as Elysea and home of the angelic Elyos. I walked you through the character creation process, the first ten levels as a frail mortal, the Elyos ascension quest and those first steps into Sanctum and Verteron. Now it's time to visit the upper half and home of the Asmodians, the continent of Asmodae.

Continue reading Hands on with the Aion beta: Your first steps in Asmodae

Hands on with the Aion beta: Your first steps in Asmodae originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CM Ayase reveals Aion CBT2 and future beta plans

Lesley Smith — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, real-world, Events, in-game

With only two days to go before the next leg of the Aion beta (aka CBT2), CM Ayase has posted more information on this weekend's event but also gone into a little more detail (much of which we already knew) about the on-going beta. However he also mentions what amount to the briefest of build notes letting us know about changes such as sever queues, NPCs fixes and 'culturalized content' (I chose to read that as 'lore') specifically for Asmodians.

Ayase also reveals the subject matter of CBT3 which will focus on leveling an Asmodian from 1-20 while CBT4 will allow players to pick a side and level their avatar to 25. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the post is not what we're getting now but what is promised on the horizon including localized voice overs for cut scenes, localized tutorial video, in game pre-rendered movies (of which we saw a little in the first beta event) and more culturalized content for Asmodians and the Elyos. I'm excited already.

CM Ayase reveals Aion CBT2 and future beta plans originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion summer beta schedule revealed

Brooke Pilley — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, News items

Renewed speculation about Aion's North American release date began swirling when a couple online retailers listed it at September 1, 2009. We have now come across some interesting information in the July issue of Beckett Massive Online Gamer that suggests NCsoft may indeed meet the target. The magazine lists these key dates:

June 19-21: Asmodian closed beta capped at level 10
July 3-5: Asmodian level cap increases
July 17-19: Abyss only with unrestricted flight and hopefully a lot of PvP
August 14-17: First open beta
August 19-23: Second open beta

The dates are listed as "accurate as of press time" and may be subject to change, but we can confirm the Asmodian beta will commence this weekend and that it will be capped at level 10. You can definitely be sure of one thing: Massively will be there to cover each and every Aion beta event from now until release.

[Via: Keen and Graev]

Aion summer beta schedule revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion Closed Beta Test 1 over, CBT2 dated.

Lesley Smith — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, in-game

It's seems everyone and their best friend was playing Aion this weekend, including most of Team Massively. The closed beta test (CBT) ended in the wee small hours of this morning with gamers providing plenty of feedback via the official forums. It wasn't too long before EU CM Ayase nipped posted an announcement regarding the next phase of testing which will see players becoming Asmodians:

"The event is scheduled to start Friday, June 19th (9:00 PM CEST, 8:00 PM BST, noon PST) and to end on Monday, June 22nd (8:59 AM CEST, 7:59 AM BST, Sunday 21st 11.59 PM PST). In CBT2 we will want to focus on the very first area of Asmodae and have therefore set the level limit to 10, primarily to make sure it's properly run through, but also to allow testers to stop and perhaps smell the flowers more, to dive into the quests and quest texts more carefully and to better explore the arch-classes. More information will come shortly and more beta events are definitely set to arrive in the future, so stock up on those canned beans (okay, maybe something else) and stay tuned!"

Aion Closed Beta Test 1 over, CBT2 dated. originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Are you excited by the Aion beta?

Lesley Smith — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, The Daily Grind, Races

I don't know about you but I'm so excited by Aion. I really can't help it, I've been following the game since it was announced. I'm pretty sure it was the angelic avatars, the ability to fly, an ethereal soundtrack and the Asian origins which captured my attention and I'm literally counting down the hours until the beta begins on Friday. Days like this make me love my job. By now the beta keys should have started landing in inboxes, including the 200 we gave away last week, and the fact they went so fast confirms my belief that a lot of people want to play this game.

So come on, readers, do you have a beta key? Are you planning to roll an Elyos? Do you like the idea of a shorter beta testing a specific class/race/zone or do you prefer being left to your own devices with an entire world to explore? Would you rather play as an Asmodian? What about you folks who don't give a fig, why doesn't Aion interest you? Are you baffled by the number of people clamouring to play this new MMO?

The Daily Grind: Are you excited by the Aion beta? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Hands-on with Aion

Elizabeth Harper — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, New titles, Hands-on, Massively Hands-on, Massively Event Coverage

To understand the game Aion, you first need a bit of background on its setting. Aion has many of the trappings you would expect to find in a typical fantasy MMO, but it is a completely original IP with some unique elements. As a player, you are a resident of Atreia, created by the deity Aion, and torn asunder by ancient war between the human races and the Aion's former servants, the Balaur. After millennia of struggle, the Balaur succeeded in destroying the Tower of Eternity, Aion's embodiment on Atreia, splitting the planet in half. In the game's present day, the Asmodians live in the harsh, frigid climates on the upper half of Atreia, far from the sun; while the Elyos live in the sun-drenched, tropical lower half of Atreia. Neither recall the details of the cataclysm that split the world and both blame the other for the destruction that befell Atreia.

Today, fragments of the shattered tower have begun to drift through the heavens and mysterious portals have opened in the world, transporting the Asmodians and Elyos to the Abyss that lays between the two halves of Atreia. Here, they meet one another and their old, neigh-forgotten enemies, the Balaur.

Unsurprisingly, war is at hand. In Aion's "PvPvE" system, you'll fight against both the opposing faction and the NPC Balaur at every turn as you seek to unlock the mysteries of the world around you.

Gallery: GDC09: Aion hands-on

Continue reading GDC09: Hands-on with Aion

GDC09: Hands-on with Aion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion: The Tower of Eternity lore moves forward in a world divided

James Egan — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Lore, Races

The fantasy setting of NCsoft's Aion: The Tower of Eternity, known as Atreia, is a world largely divided between the upper world dwellers called Asmodians and the lower world denizens, the Elyos. Once a single united people, the game's lore has been expanding, telling the story of how the rifts between Atreia's people formed.

In the wake of the Epic Cataclysm, the Elyos and Asmodians have their own tales to tell. This is the focus of Chapter VII of the Atreia story. The Elyos tale continues with "The Abyss and The Storm Legion" while the Asmodian story is told through "Retribution". Both tales are accounts of the same event, told from opposed perspectives. Check out how Aion's lore is advancing through the dual perspectives of the Elyos and Asmodians in Chapter VII.

Aion: The Tower of Eternity lore moves forward in a world divided originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion lore Chapter V reveals cataclysmic event

Shawn Schuster — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Lore, New titles, Academic

As we mentioned earlier this month, the lore of Aion is shaping up into some intriguing backstory. In what seems to be bi-weekly installments, the folks at NCsoft are giving us bits and pieces of what Aion is all about. In the latest piece, the epic cataclysmic event that we've heard so much about has finally been revealed.

Check out Chapter V in the ongoing story of how the Tower of Eternity fell and changed the world of Aion forever. This chapter, as with all previous chapters in Aion lore, is told through two opposing viewpoints: the Elyos and the Asmodian. Find out how each side viewed that historical event and how it will eventually shape the world as we'll know it when the game launches (hopefully soon!).

Aion lore Chapter V reveals cataclysmic event originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What do you know about Aion lore?

Shawn Schuster — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Culture, Lore, Academic, Education

If you've ever wondered what there is to NCsoft's upcoming Aion: The Tower of Eternity MMO besides wings, you might be interested in their recent installments of lore for the game.

Each faction, the Elyos and the Asmodian, has their own set of historical folklore that pertains to a certain cataclysmic event in their past. This event separated the two once-friendly groups, but the blame is told differently for each side. At this point, we have an introduction and four chapters for each faction, giving us plenty to read as we prepare for this game's launch. If you're a lore buff, or you simply want to soak up any and all info on Aion, check out these chapters of lore and let us know what you think so far.

What do you know about Aion lore? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion's beauty shines through in Asmodian Ascension Quest video

James Egan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Aion, Lore, New titles, Races

NCsoft's upcoming MMO Aion: The Tower of Eternity is looking to be a graphically stunning game. The latest trailer, Asmodian Ascension Quest, shows off some gorgeous settings and reveals a bit of the lore, as it concerns the struggle between the Asmodian and Elyos races. The video follows a young Asmodian as she ascends to the lofty heights of the Daeva, having battled her way to godhood on land and in the sky in winged combat. If you like what you see here, be sure to check out the full high-res download over at our sister site Big Download.

[Thanks, Torak]

Aion's beauty shines through in Asmodian Ascension Quest video originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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