Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: So long, Lineage II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/choose-my-adventure-so-long-lineage-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/choose-my-adventure-so-long-lineage-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/choose-my-adventure-so-long-lineage-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Screenshot Lineage 2
I'm here at the end of the line. Six weeks and 48 levels brings me to the close of my time on Choose My Adventure with Lineage II. It became a little grindy toward the end, but that's due to my inability to find a group, something that's important in order to experience some of the content. When I began this little adventure, I knew nothing of Lineage II. I'm walking away a regular player who's looking forward to trying out the numerous PvP options. I wanted to finish this ride with a bang, and I was lucky enough to be ending after a siege weekend.

Lineage II has some rather involved sieges and other PvP content that should please many players at mid- to high-level. I was a litle confused at first, but I was able to use the broadcast crystal to watch some siege gameplay. This final farewell covers a lot of PvP in the game, so buckle up!

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: So long, Lineage II

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: So long, Lineage II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonlineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvotevotingWed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/choose-my-adventure-how-lineage-ii-feels-to-a-western-newcomer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/choose-my-adventure-how-lineage-ii-feels-to-a-western-newcomer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/choose-my-adventure-how-lineage-ii-feels-to-a-western-newcomer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lineage 2 screenshot
We're down to the wire for Lineage II's Choose My Adventure, with one more week to go. My Abyss Walker quickly rushed to the 40s, at which point leveling has slowed down considerably. I've talked about pets, explored (only a fraction of) the countryside, and touched on crafting and other features. What else could we possibly talk about?

I haven't really shared a lot of my experiences with my character class or how the class-transfers and skills affect my overall enjoyment of Lineage II. My third class-transfer is set in stone thanks to your poll choices and the game mechanics; now that I'm an Abyss Walker, I'm locked-in to become a Ghost Hunter, which makes sense. Ghost Hunter is melee, like my Abyss Walker. I can't really jump ship at this point and go ranged. So let's look a little more at my character, what the future could hold for him in terms of more class-transfers, and my opinions on non-situational combat and how that makes the game feel to me.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonlineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvotevotingWed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/choose-my-adventure-post-christmas-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/choose-my-adventure-post-christmas-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/choose-my-adventure-post-christmas-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A turkey and ham coma, family soiree, and the biggest calendar holiday of the year have left my Lineage II escapades a wee bit smaller this week, but not without some fun happenings. Speaking of holidays, I hope everyone had a terrific one!

Random events, miraculously revived dead pets, more amazing scenery, and lots of killing are on deck in today's Choose My Adventure. It turns out that I am terrible at raising my pet wolf and even got into an accidental scuffle with another player that left her pet dead and me even deader. I returned to the Path to Awakening because that's what you voted for last week. I've also neared the end of the uber-fast leveling cycle via quests and am turning to grinding for the majority of my experience gain. The fun-level has yet to dip for me; there's higher level gameplay I'm really hoping to dip my dagger into, and I'm curious to see what level I can reach by the end of this trip. As always, check out the extensive gallery and livestreams, and tune in to MV Guide to see when my next livestream will be.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurechristmascmacraftingf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonl2lineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvotevotingWed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Exploration week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/choose-my-adventure-exploration-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/choose-my-adventure-exploration-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/choose-my-adventure-exploration-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lineage 2 screenshot
From desert wastelands and salty shorelines to plateaus and ocean floors, I've been busy traveling in Aden, and I've seen but a glimpse of the entire continent. Last week, you voted for me to stray from the Path to Awakening and explore the world in Lineage II, and I've been having a blast doing just that.

I discovered a monster racetrack, ran into raid bosses in the middle of nowhere, discovered a vast undersea temple, and so much more. I've also added 47 more screenshots to the gallery, uploaded a walkabout video, and have another livestream this week. We still aren't done yet. There are more chances for you to decide my fate in this week's Choose My Adventure.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Exploration week

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Exploration week originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmaf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygoddess-of-destructionhands-onjeremy-strattonl2lineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionpath-to-awakeningpollpollsreaders-choicescreenshotscreenshotsvideovideosvotevotingWed, 21 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Layoffs hit NCsoft's North American offices]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/layoffs-hit-ncsofts-north-american-offices/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/layoffs-hit-ncsofts-north-american-offices/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/layoffs-hit-ncsofts-north-american-offices/#commentsFiled under: , ,

NCsoft logo
Earlier this morning Massively received an anonymous tip that NCsoft terminated an undisclosed number of employees at its Austin, Brighton, and Seattle offices earlier this month. According to our tipster, "many operations jobs are leaving Austin and being contracted back to Seoul," and there were further layoffs in the quality assurance and billing departments, with "with many more put on 60-day notice."

We contacted NCsoft for an official comment and received the following reply:

"In an effort to put a greater focus on the success of the Western-developed games from NCsoft, and the long-term services MMOs require, we announced a global restructuring to our Western publishing team. To optimize the streamlining efforts, limited functionality is moving to our headquarters in Seoul, and some publishing support has been reduced. As a result, there has been a reduction in force that has impacted less than 2 percent of our global workforce. We remain committed to fully support the development of games from ArenaNet, Carbine Studios and Paragon Studios."

We'll keep you up to date on the situation as it develops and as we learn more.

MassivelyLayoffs hit NCsoft's North American offices originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbreakingcarbine-studioslayoffsmmo-industryncsoftncsoft-westparagon-studiospress releasestaff-reductionThu, 27 Oct 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft's Gaffney: Subscriptions more profitable than microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/ncsofts-gaffney-subscriptions-more-profitable-than-microtransa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/ncsofts-gaffney-subscriptions-more-profitable-than-microtransa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/ncsofts-gaffney-subscriptions-more-profitable-than-microtransa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jeremy Gaffney may not be a household name to MMO fans, but the Carbine Studios head honcho has been involved in some of the industry's biggest titles as both a developer and an executive. Gaffney helped found Turbine in the Asheron's Call days and also worked on both City of Heroes and Tabula Rasa at NCsoft. In a new interview at GamesIndustry.biz, Gaffney talks at length about his industry experiences as well as several hot-button issues including mobile MMOs, mega-launches, and the free-to-play vs. subscription debate.

"There's still a lot of money being made in subscriptions right now. Worldwide there's a lot of money being made in [micro]transactions, but there's probably a bit more money really being made in subscriptions worldwide," he explains.

Gaffney also weighs in on the market segmentation brought about by F2P models and whether MMO mega-launches can still be profitable in a post-World of Warcraft world. Read all about it at GamesIndustry.biz.

MassivelyNCsoft's Gaffney: Subscriptions more profitable than microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscarbinecarbine-studiosf2pfantasyfree-to-playinterviewjeremy-gaffneymmo-industrymobilemobile-mmosncsoftncsoft-westsubscriptionThu, 05 May 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion kicks off 2.1.0.5, Artisan's Expo event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/aion-kicks-off-2-1-0-5-artisans-expo-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/aion-kicks-off-2-1-0-5-artisans-expo-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/aion-kicks-off-2-1-0-5-artisans-expo-event/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Early bird Daevas looking to get a head start on their Wednesday were thwarted by the patch gods this morning as Aion servers were briefly offline. The good news is that the downtime was in service of the new 2.1 patch (or more accurately, the second portion of it). Today's update shines the spotlight on crafting, and citizens of Atreia will be enjoying bonus crafting, essence-tapping, and aether-tapping gains courtesy of the Artisan Expo event that runs through February 2nd.

As for the patch itself, it features a bevy of tradeskilling tweaks, chief among them reduced material requirements for high level recipes, increased drop rates on some rare Balic materials, and an increased chance at rare gathering drops. The patch also addresses the long-standing issue of the Balaur taking over Kysis Fortress during normal siege times. Check out NCsoft's announcement post as well as the full patch notes for all the details.

MassivelyAion kicks off 2.1.0.5, Artisan's Expo event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.1-patch2.1.0.5-patchaionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityartisans-expocraftingfantasykysis-balaurncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westpatchpatch-notesupdateWed, 26 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion 2.1.0.5 update tweaks crafting difficulty]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/aion-2-1-0-5-update-tweaks-crafting-difficulty/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/aion-2-1-0-5-update-tweaks-crafting-difficulty/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/aion-2-1-0-5-update-tweaks-crafting-difficulty/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Part two of the Aion 2.1 update is on the way to servers across Atreia, and the dev team has posted the official 2.1.0.5 patch notes to the game's website. The build debuted on the public test servers yesterday and is scheduled to take a bow on the live servers next Wednesday, January 26th.

The second half of the 2.1 patch focuses on Aion's crafting, and many new recipes are included in the mix. NCsoft has also upped the drop rates for many crafting materials (including desirable Balaur components like hearts and balic items). Your chances of snagging a "greater" version of the resources farmed from harvesting nodes have also been increased, and many crafting quests will see reduced difficulty (including the wince-inducing expert crafting quests as well as the Miragent Holy Templar and Fenris Fangs quests).

The 2.1.0.5 patch also brings a number of tweaks to instances, NPCs, and items, and you can see the full list of updates via the official website.

MassivelyAion 2.1.0.5 update tweaks crafting difficulty originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-2.1.0.5aion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitycraftingfantasyitemizationncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westpatchpatch-notesquestsupdateFri, 21 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft planning more Aion rifting tweaks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/ncsoft-planning-more-aion-rifting-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/ncsoft-planning-more-aion-rifting-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/ncsoft-planning-more-aion-rifting-tweaks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The month-long rifting experiment begun by NCsoft in early December has apparently given the Aion devs enough data to continue with a trial aimed at revisiting the decision to nerf the PvP mechanic with last fall's 2.0 update. Players were recently asked to complete in-game surveys relating to the new changes (which boiled to down a removal of Heiron/Beluslan protections and changes to the large protective defender buffs), and NCsoft reports that the majority of survey participants responded favorably to the change.

In a post on the official Aion website, NCsoft says it will continue the rifting trial "a few more weeks," and the devs will also tweak lower level player protection in Morheim and Eltnen. Finally, a new player survey will be sent out and the rifting protections will be "restored to their previous levels" while feedback is collected and analyzed.

MassivelyNCsoft planning more Aion rifting tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitybeluslaneltnenfantasyheironmorheimncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westnerfspvpriftingrifting-changesrifting-nerfThu, 13 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion Myth Breakers examines crafting DP and manastones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/aion-myth-breakers-examines-crafting-dp-and-manastones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/aion-myth-breakers-examines-crafting-dp-and-manastones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/aion-myth-breakers-examines-crafting-dp-and-manastones/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After failing to proc master crafting and miragent armor recipes on multiple occasions, Aion players naturally gravitate towards superstition, luck, and the equivalent of in-game urban legends in order to deal with the nightmare that is high-level crafting in the world of Atreia. One of those legends concerns the supposed effects of a full Divine Power (DP) bar on crafting success. This particular myth is thoroughly debunked in the second installment of Victor Shugo's Aion Lab: Myth Breakers, an ongoing series that provides statistical data regarding some of Aion's mechanics.

In addition to laying the crafting DP myth to rest, this edition examines the loot drop rates for Draupnir Cave and Commander Bakarma and also provides a success rate table for level 50 and 60 manastones. So the next time you shake a fist at the Seraphim lords over a failed socketing attempt, rest assured that statistically speaking, you're bound to do better next time.

MassivelyAion Myth Breakers examines crafting DP and manastones originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitycommander-bakarmacrafting-dpdivine-powerdpdraupnir-cavefantasygame-mechanicsmanastone-success-ratesmanastonesmyth-breakersncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westMon, 10 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Community Detective Issue #16: Lineage II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/community-detective-issue-16-lineage-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/community-detective-issue-16-lineage-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/community-detective-issue-16-lineage-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Community Detective banner - Lineage II
Welcome to a new year of Community Detective. To kick things off, I'm going back in time -- way back in time, to 2004 to be exact -- as this was the year NCsoft's Lineage II debuted in America. Why profile the community and customer service of a game that's almost seven years old? Well, Lineage II is still going strong and drawing players from all over the world. NCsoft also continues to pour money and developer resources into the game (the latest example being the new Goddess of Destruction expansion) despite the existence of newer, similarly themed fantasy projects like Aion and Blade & Soul.

Clearly, then, Lineage II is still relevant in some quarters, and in light of that fact, I've spent the past couple of weeks toodling around the kingdom of Aden.

Continue reading Community Detective Issue #16: Lineage II

MassivelyCommunity Detective Issue #16: Lineage II originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adencommunitycommunity-detectivecommunity-pollingcommunity-questionscustomer-servicefantasyfeaturedL2Lineage IIlineage-2lineage-iiLineageIincsoftNCsoft-North-Americancsoft-westopinionTue, 04 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion experimenting with temporary rifting changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/aion-experimenting-with-temporary-rifting-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/aion-experimenting-with-temporary-rifting-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/aion-experimenting-with-temporary-rifting-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rifting is a sore spot for many Aion players. On the one hand, some folks no doubt felt that the mechanic was intrusive and forced PvP on people who simply wanted to quest, gather, and otherwise PvE. On the other hand, the drastic changes introduced in the Assault on Balaurea expansion all but killed most of the rifting in the game, causing some to question NCsoft's all-or-nothing approach.

Starting today, the devs are experimenting with a month-long trial designed to bring an element of risk back to Atreia and also strike a balance between rifting and PvE. The protective buffs placed on homeland defenders will remain in place for the low-level Morheim and Eltnen zones but will be significantly reduced. Protection buffs for defenders in the higher-level Heiron and Beluslan zones are going away entirely. What does this mean for you? In a nutshell, you'll have an easier time completing those spy quests that have been clogging your journal for weeks, and you'd also best keep an eye on your radar for incoming reds.

MassivelyAion experimenting with temporary rifting changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityassault-on-balaureabeluslaneltnenheironmorheimncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westpvepvpriftingrifting-changesFri, 10 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion surveys feature in-game presents]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/aion-surveys-feature-in-game-presents/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/aion-surveys-feature-in-game-presents/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/aion-surveys-feature-in-game-presents/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Looking for some free loot to welcome you back to Aion? Look no further than the new Solorius festival and the 10-day account reactivation promotion recently begun by NCsoft. Whether you're a loyal veteran or you've just returned to the fight, be sure to fill out the random in-game surveys that the Aion team will be sending your way at various times throughout the day.

In addition to doing your civic duty and providing valuable game feedback, you'll receive a present with your survey. Possible presents include boxes of enchantment stones, colored dyes (including rare blacks and whites), candies and food, a Watchful Ailu pet egg, swimwear, and more. Check out the full announcement on the official website for all the details.

MassivelyAion surveys feature in-game presents originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitybriberyncsoftncsoft-westpresentssoloriussolorius-festivalsurveysMon, 06 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft reactivating Aion accounts, doubling XP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/ncsoft-reactivating-aion-accounts-doubling-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/ncsoft-reactivating-aion-accounts-doubling-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/ncsoft-reactivating-aion-accounts-doubling-xp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Time to dust off your wings, former Daevas, as you're invited back to the world of Atreia on NCsoft's dime. If your account was inactive as of December 1st (and you've got a retail code applied and haven't been banned), you're eligible to play Aion for free through 8:00 a.m. PST on December 13th.

NCsoft has also extended the double XP period for the entire duration of the reactivation event (as opposed to two weekend periods). Soul healing discounts of 99% will still happen on the weekend as originally announced. Finally, instance timers have been considerably reduced. For example, Kromede's Trial now features a four-hour lockout timer (in place of the usual 22). Check your timers with the /checkentry command for more details.

MassivelyNCsoft reactivating Aion accounts, doubling XP originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-reactivationaionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitydouble-xpfantasyinstance-timerskromedes-trialncsoftncsoft-westsoul-healingsoul-healing-discountxpFri, 03 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion producer letter talks account security, transfers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/aion-producer-letter-talks-account-security-transfers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/aion-producer-letter-talks-account-security-transfers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/aion-producer-letter-talks-account-security-transfers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Aion's been getting a decent amount of press this fall, first for September's Assault on Balaurea expansion and lately due to the uproar surrounding the 2.1 patch. Among other things, 2.1 substantially increased the game's loot drop rates, leading to huzzahs on one side of the aisle and raised eyebrows on the other.

Not to be outdone, NCsoft producer Chris Hager recently posted an open letter on the official Aion website, summarizing both the aforementioned changes and hinting at a few things to come for the world of Atreia. Hager gives a heads up regarding the final day for the free character transfers that have been ongoing since the summer. January 5th is last call, so make sure you've got your Elyos or Asmo where you want him.

Hager also mentions the fact that NCsoft is taking steps to increase account security, an issue that has plagued Aion since its launch in 2009. "We are stepping up our efforts and introducing a new secondary PIN system to Aion that will provide an additional layer of security to our players. This service will go live on December 1, 2010, and we will post a full FAQ in the coming days explaining exactly how it will work," he writes.

MassivelyAion producer letter talks account security, transfers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.1account-securityaionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityassault-on-balaureacharacter-transferschris-hagerncsoftncsoft-westopen-letterproducer-letterTue, 23 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft explains Aion siege timer changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/ncsoft-explains-aion-siege-timer-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/ncsoft-explains-aion-siege-timer-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/ncsoft-explains-aion-siege-timer-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Amidst all the G-Star news coming out this week, as well as Aion's own upcoming double XP bonanza, you might have missed a fairly significant gameplay change that NCsoft has slipped onto the live servers. In a very brief news blurb on the official site (which links to an image graphic hosted on Flickr), the Korean MMO developer answers the question that many Daevas have been asking of late, namely, what are the new siege times.

As it turns out, they're quite different and will no doubt affect Abyss PvP in numerous ways. For example, prime time fortress sieges used to happen in a three-hour window, which pretty much meant that if you committed to attacking or defending, you missed out on Dredgion groups and basically any other content going on for that particular night. Now, the siege timers are staggered. In addition to the timers being reduced to two hours, there's also an hour block in between, which should give players time to do things other than siege on any given night.

Additionally, the previous fortress vulnerabilities were a convoluted mess, with a mixture of upper and lower forts going on at once. Now, the vulnerable forts will be on a single layer, and there will also be five vulnerable forts simultaneously as opposed to three. This should lead to new strategies, as the zerg will no longer be able to bum-rush three locations at once, and there will theoretically be more sustained fighting going throughout the Abyss.

MassivelyNCsoft explains Aion siege timer changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityfantasyncsoftncsoft-westpatchpvpsiege-timerssiegesupdateFri, 19 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Double your pleasure with Aion double XP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/double-your-pleasure-with-aion-double-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/double-your-pleasure-with-aion-double-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/double-your-pleasure-with-aion-double-xp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thinking of dusting off one of your Daevas? If you've got a long-neglected alt, if your main has stalled on the cusp of level 55, or if you've just been away from the world of Atreia altogether, you'll probably want to take advantage of Aion's upcoming double experience weekends.

From December 3rd through December 6th (beginning and ending at 12:00 p.m. PST on both days), you can double your pleasure with double XP on both mobs and quests. If that's not enough, you can also enjoy 99% off soul healing costs from December 4th to December 5th (12:00 a.m. PST - 11:59 p.m. PST) as well as December 11th to December 12th (at the same time slot). Check out the official Aion site for all the details.

MassivelyDouble your pleasure with Aion double XP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gameaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitybonus-weekendsdouble-xpexperienceexperience-bonusncsoftNCsoft-North-Americancsoft-westreduced-soul-healingsoul-healingxpThu, 18 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft reveals juicy details on Aion 2.1, item drop rates substantially increased]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/ncsoft-reveals-juicy-details-on-aion-2-1-item-drop-rates-substa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/ncsoft-reveals-juicy-details-on-aion-2-1-item-drop-rates-substa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/ncsoft-reveals-juicy-details-on-aion-2-1-item-drop-rates-substa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Aion is the lucky recipient of "the single biggest change ever implemented by NCsoft across its entire portfolio of games." Version 2.1 is hitting the Public Test Server (PTS) today, with a launch date for the live shards currently scheduled for November 17th. What's so special about 2.1, you're probably asking?

In a nutshell, loot, and lots of it. More specifically, significantly increased drop rates are the order of the day. Now, we've heard the jokes as well. "Significant" means an increase from .01 to .02 percent, right? Wrong, as this time NCsoft means business. Aion's devs have offered up some specific statistics via press release, and you'll want to check out the tables after the cut for all the details.

If you've spent much time in the lands of Atreia, you're probably familiar with Beshmundir's Temple and the named bosses contained therein that players often farm for loot. Over a period of 20 Perilous Path Temple runs, testers collected 138 total loot items. Of these, 121 were fabled quality (including wings), and 17 were eternal. Similarly, NCsoft testers cataloged 20 runs through the famed Dark Poeta dungeon, recording all loot items acquired from Spiritmaster Atmach to Brigade General Anuhart. A total of 68 fabled items dropped, which averages out to 3.4 per run. This was also sans the final boss, so the actual numbers will likely be higher.

Finally, NCsoft is also gifting players with the new Aion Adventure Guide. According to the press release, the guide will "give players advice on where to find level-appropriate in-game content that will help with progression and reward them with items along the way. Crafted in-game messages and guides let players know where to go to find game content (quests, instances) that help progress them to the next level and give them hints on how to use new areas, such as the Abyss, and systems, such as Stigma Stones to their advantage."

Don't forget to fly past the cut for a detailed breakdown of the Beshmundir Temple runs in table format.

Continue reading NCsoft reveals juicy details on Aion 2.1, item drop rates substantially increased

MassivelyNCsoft reveals juicy details on Aion 2.1, item drop rates substantially increased originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.12.1-patchaionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitybeshmundir-templebreakingBreakingNewsdark-poetadrop-rate-increasedrop-rateslootncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westThu, 11 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft releases Aion Exchange app for iOS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/ncsoft-releases-aion-exchange-app-for-ios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/ncsoft-releases-aion-exchange-app-for-ios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/ncsoft-releases-aion-exchange-app-for-ios/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


NCsoft has taken the wraps off another portion of its mobile platform offensive as today marked the unveiling of the new Aion Exchange app for Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iOS devices. The app provides live access to the fantasy MMO's broker system, as well as options for viewing your character info, statistics, and equipment.

The broker feature includes an item search as well as price lists, a wish list, and push notifications that will alert you to sales without the need to log into the game or open the app. Finally, Aion Exchange features a comprehensive item listing that boasts info about each piece of equipment available in game. Chris Hager, NCsoft West producer, sees the app as the first step in extending the world of Atreia beyond the desktop. "We see this application as an extension of the game and we will continually support and update the service offering with future feature updates," he said.

MassivelyNCsoft releases Aion Exchange app for iOS originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-exchangeaion-the-tower-of-eternityappbreakingbroker-accessequipmentequipment-listiosipadiphonemobile-appncsoftncsoft-westTue, 19 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion's 2.1 patch to increase drop rates]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/aions-2-1-patch-to-increase-drop-rates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/aions-2-1-patch-to-increase-drop-rates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/aions-2-1-patch-to-increase-drop-rates/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

NCsoft isn't resting on its winged laurels after last month's release of its Assault on Balaurea expansion. Aion's 2.1 patch is just around the corner, judging by its debut this week on the Korean test servers and the associated patch notes that have been posted to the North American PowerWiki.

The update is brimming with the usual NPC, quest, and instance bug fixes, as well as a reduction on the prerequisites for the greater stigma quests. That said, the most interesting additions to the patch are the loot table tweaks. In a nutshell, it seems NCsoft is finally heeding the cries of players to do something about Aion's abyssmal loot drop rates. The patch notes indicate "greatly increased" drop rates on gear from instance and field bosses as well as regular mobs. There also appears to be an across-the-board hike in the drop rate of fluxes, skill manuals, and stigma stones.

While this news might drive broker prices to new levels of ridiculousness over the next little while, Aion's economy will probably look a little different after 2.1 goes live and supply overtakes demand.

MassivelyAion's 2.1 patch to increase drop rates originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.1aionaion-the-tower-of-eternitydrop-ratesitemizationkorean-test-serverloot-dropsncsoftncsoft-koreaNCsoft-North-Americancsoft-westpatch-notesWed, 06 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Gelkmaros]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/aion-assault-on-balaurea-zone-trailer-gelkmaros/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/aion-assault-on-balaurea-zone-trailer-gelkmaros/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/aion-assault-on-balaurea-zone-trailer-gelkmaros/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Last week, NCsoft gave us a peek at one of the new zones in Aion's upcoming Assault on Balaurea expansion; today, we tour the Asmodian occupied land -- Gelkmaros. With fissures ripped in the very land itself and areas devastated by ancient battles (including the ancient city of Maravas), the Asmodians will find their stronghold treacherous, but not without surprising new allies.

Stranded in Balaurea since before the Cataclysm, the Reian tribe knew nothing of the war between the Asmodians and the Elyos until recently. These Daevas who stand watch over Subterranea, home of the evil Dragonbound, enter into a tentative alliance with their lost brothers and sisters from Asmodae.

As hostile as the land and creatures may be, the Asmodians must be ever vigilant to defend both the Vorgaltem Citadel and Crimson Temple against the assaults of the Balaur and Elyos forces, lest they lose the ability to travel with in their enemy's stronghold.

Once again, Massively asked Chris Hager, Producer of Aion, NCsoft West, a few questions about this new area.

Fly past the cut and through a video tour of Gelkmaros, then check out Chris' answers.

Continue reading Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Gelkmaros

MassivelyAion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Gelkmaros originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gameassault-on-balaureabalaurbalaureachris-hagerfeaturedflightGelkmarosinterviewnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionncsoft-westpvpsiegesiegessiegingvideovideo-tourTue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Inggison]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/aion-assault-on-balaurea-zone-trailer-inggison/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/aion-assault-on-balaurea-zone-trailer-inggison/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/aion-assault-on-balaurea-zone-trailer-inggison/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Today, NCsoft unveils a video tour of Inggison, a new zone introduced in Aion's upcoming expansion, Assault on Balaurea. No longer confined to Atreia on the interior of the planet, players will venture forth to the lands on the outside. Filled with a variety of new plant and wildlife, Inggison is the Elyos foothold in Balaurea.

Even as they bask in direct sunlight (a treat not possible in the sundered lands of Asmodae and Elysea), Daevas in Aion will encounter new foes -- such as the Balaur-worshippers of Undirborg -- and fight old ones, as the Asmodians try to claim the Temple of Scales and Altar of Avarice Fortresses.

After watching the video, Massively asked Chris Hager, Producer of Aion, NCsoft West, a few questions about this new area.

Check out the video after the cut, as well as Chris' comments.

Continue reading Aion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Inggison

MassivelyAion: Assault on Balaurea zone trailer -- Inggison originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-2.0aion-assault-on-balaureaassault-on-balaureabalaurbalaureachris-hagerelyosfeaturedfortressfortress-siegeInggisoninterviewncsoftncsoft-westtrailervideo-tourThu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Community roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/31/wings-over-atreia-community-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/31/wings-over-atreia-community-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/31/wings-over-atreia-community-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There's been a lot happening around the Aionosphere this past month, with the announcement of next week's 1.9 patch revelation topping the list. There's also been talk of server merges, the mythical 2.0 update, changes to Miragents, and a boatload of other community news that we'll recap for you after the cut.

As always, send in your Aion-related questions or observations to jef AT massively DOT com, and let us know of anything we missed.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Community roundup

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Community roundup originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityassault-on-balariacommunity-roundupfeaturedgrindlani-blazierncsoftncsoft-westopinionpsapublic-relationsthe-more-you-mmowings-over-atreia-jef-reahardMon, 31 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Community roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/wings-over-atreia-community-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/wings-over-atreia-community-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/wings-over-atreia-community-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This week's trip through the Aionosphere will take a bit of a different approach, in part because I'm busy taking the advice of many of you from last week's column and leveling up an alt or three in order to ward off the post-40 grinding blues, but also because I'd like the community to become more involved in the column as a whole. Now, I know what some of you are thinking. Boy, this guy doesn't have a damn thing to say, and he's either running right up to the deadline or suffering from writer's block. Well, you're half right. I did scrape pretty close to the deadline (just because low-level Chanters are a lot of fun and it's double XP this weekend), but I also fancy gathering a gaggle of good questions and getting them answered every few weeks.

Anyhow, this week we'll take a look at some of the noteworthy happenings around the Aion community over the past few days, and then we'll open things up for some of the best questions from the past few weeks. As a reminder, you can hit me up via jef [AT]massively[DOT]com with any Aion-related questions or comments. If I can't answer them (or at least finagle my way around them with some deft word-smithing) I'll forward them on to someone at NCSoft who can, and we'll print them in a future column.

Hit the jump for a roundup of recent community happenings that you might have missed, as well as a few burning reader questions.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Community roundup

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Community roundup originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionfeaturedncsoftncsoft-westopinionWings-Over-Atreiawings-over-atreia-jef-reahardMon, 12 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft responds to City of Heroes speculation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/ncsoft-responds-to-city-of-heroes-speculation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/ncsoft-responds-to-city-of-heroes-speculation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/ncsoft-responds-to-city-of-heroes-speculation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


A couple days ago, we had a post detailing some speculation on what City of Heroes: Going Rogue meant for NCsoft West, City of Heroes, and the future of the entire branch of the company. Ryan James, director of corporate communications for NCsoft, took the time to issue a direct response to us regarding that post. We also got an opportunity to ask him a few questions regarding NCsoft's current and future direction, which helps provide some context and some behind-the-scenes information to offset the speculative nature of the aforementioned post.

The official response is as follows:

"We wanted to respond to your post from November 2 on City of Heroes and clarify a few points for you and your readers. In short, the piece offers a rather sensationalist view of NCsoft West and our success thus far.

We're very proud of what we've accomplished here in the West - we have several major MMO franchises, including City of Heroes, Lineage and Guild Wars. And our newest addition to the NCsoft portfolio, Aion, has just seen a very successful launch here in the West. As you point out, we have had to make some tough portfolio decisions, but this is very much par for the course for any major game publisher today. That being said, we remain extremely proud of the Paragon team's accomplishments with the City of Heroes franchise. City of Heroes is still the world's most popular super-powered hero MMO. Even with an increasingly crowded landscape, City of Heroes remains the gold standard for comic book-inspired MMOs - it has stood the test of time and we're excited to be bringing Going Rogue to players next year.

As you note, the author of Vicarious Existence is indeed 'alarmist' in his assessment of NCsoft West and our future. We couldn't agree more. On the contrary, we're optimistic about our future."

Following the statement, Mr. James took the opportunity to answer a few questions about the company's game portfolio and future plans. Take a look at the questions and responses after the break.

Continue reading NCsoft responds to City of Heroes speculation

MassivelyNCsoft responds to City of Heroes speculation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternitybusiness-modelscity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxdungeon-runnersfeaturedgoing-rogueguild-warsgwinterviewslineage-2lineage-iincsoftncsoft-westopinionrumorsryan-jamesThu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How much is riding on City of Heroes: Going Rogue?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/how-much-is-riding-on-city-of-heroes-going-rogue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/how-much-is-riding-on-city-of-heroes-going-rogue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/how-much-is-riding-on-city-of-heroes-going-rogue/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


At the six-year mark, City of Heroes is still moving forward, with City of Heroes: Going Rogue targeted for release in the second quarter of 2010. It's certainly not the oldest game to receive an expansion, but Vicarious Existence has an interesting point to be made: exactly how much is riding on the success of this expansion? In true heroic sense, it may well be the fate of NCsoft West and of NCsoft's entire western presence in the market.

It's no secret that NCsoft West has had a difficult time in the market, with the first rumbles having been made clear with the sad tale of Auto Assault. And it's hardly necessary to dredge up painful memories about the games that have also gone the way of the dodo. But as the post points out, there's not nearly as much revenue coming in from the western branch of the company as they'd like, even with the success Aion has been having in the marketplace. (If that sounds cynical or as if it's expecting too much money, Adam Martin has an excellent explanation of why NCsoft could and would be so draconic about profits.) To be fair, the post is a bit alarmist, but it does posit that there could be a great deal of trouble on the horizon for City of Heroes -- and perhaps the whole studio -- based on the performance of the expansion. And even if the idle speculation is wrong, it certainly does put you in the right mood for the expansion, doesn't it?

MassivelyHow much is riding on City of Heroes: Going Rogue? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-martinaionauto-assaultbusiness-modelscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxexpansionsgoing-roguencsoftncsoft-westparagon-studiosMon, 02 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Your thoughts on Jeff Strain's NCsoft departure?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/the-daily-grind-your-thoughts-on-jeff-strains-ncsoft-departure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/the-daily-grind-your-thoughts-on-jeff-strains-ncsoft-departure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/the-daily-grind-your-thoughts-on-jeff-strains-ncsoft-departure/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As we've reported on for the past two days, ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain has left his position at NCsoft and is moving on to new pastures. While his former co-founding partner, Mike O'Brien, has said pretty affirmatively that his departure won't affect the development of Guild Wars 2, we're still interested in what you think of all of this.

It's certainly a very sudden and unexpected move, especially when you take into account the departure of David Reid as well, even if they both left for unrelated reasons. With Aion coming closer and closer to a launch in the United States, and NCsoft pushing to be #2 in the realm of subscription numbers, the timing for these departures seems to be odd.

But, we're not going to waste this space with our thoughts, we want yours! Drop what you think of all of this into the comment box below, and let your voices ring across the internet!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Your thoughts on Jeff Strain's NCsoft departure? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionarenanetdavid-reidguild-warsguild-wars-2jeff-strainmike-obriennc-westncsoftncsoft-westopinionsubscription-numbersthe-daily-grindThu, 13 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet's co-founder comments on Jeff Strain's departure from NCsoft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/arenanets-co-founder-comments-on-jeff-strains-departure-from-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/arenanets-co-founder-comments-on-jeff-strains-departure-from-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/arenanets-co-founder-comments-on-jeff-strains-departure-from-n/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As we reported on yesterday, Jeff Strain, the co-founder of ArenaNet, has parted ways with NCsoft. Jeff's visions were certainly a driving factor behind ArenaNet's growth and Guild Wars production, but it's important to note that his leaving will not directly impact ArenaNet, as he has been away from the company and paired with NCsoft West since 2008.

On the tails of his departure comes a comment from Mike O'Brien, ArenaNet's other founder and Jeff's long time friend. Mike not only sends well wishes to his former founding partner, but also reaffirms that Guild Wars 2 production will not be affected by Jeff's departure. Mike has even gone as far to say that we're getting close to finally getting tangible news on their new masterpiece.

Mike's full statement can be found after the break.

[Thanks Goonja!]

Continue reading ArenaNet's co-founder comments on Jeff Strain's departure from NCsoft

MassivelyArenaNet's co-founder comments on Jeff Strain's departure from NCsoft originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbreakingdepartureguild-warsguild-wars-2jeff-strainmike-obriennc-westncsoft-westWed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands on with the Aion beta: The lore of Atreia]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/hands-on-with-the-aion-beta-the-lore-of-atreia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/hands-on-with-the-aion-beta-the-lore-of-atreia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/hands-on-with-the-aion-beta-the-lore-of-atreia/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

MassivelyHands 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-loreaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityasmodianasmodianselyosncsoftncsoft-westthe-tower-of-eternityFri, 07 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Aion vidcast now available]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/second-aion-vidcast-now-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/second-aion-vidcast-now-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/second-aion-vidcast-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we inch closer to the Aion launch on 22nd and 25th September (NA and EU, respectively), the excitement about NCsoft's latest MMO is reaching fever pitch. Yesterday, G4TV released the second Aion vidcast (the first one was hosted by IGN). Featuring devs including Associate Producer Lani Blazier and Producer Brian Knox, this one is all about character customisation. The interviews are also interspersed with some impressive in-game footage and rather arty shots of their Seattle offices.

The vidcast begins by going through the differences between PvP, PvE and PvPvE. Indeed the highlight has to be seeing Lani try to figure out the best pronunciation of PvPvE. There's also a rundown of the main classess and the sub-class choices you can pick upon Ascending. If you're looking for one word that sums up both the game and this vidcast, it would have to be 'uniqueness'. While none of the information will be new to people playing the beta or who have been following the game, it's great to see more of the people behind the game and their genuine passion for Atreia.

Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Second Aion vidcast now available

MassivelySecond Aion vidcast now available originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-classesaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityaion-videoaion-video-tourbrian-knoxlani-blazierncsoftncsoft-north-americancsoft-westWed, 05 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft reveals the second Mage subclass: the Sorcerer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/ncsoft-reveals-the-second-mage-subclass-the-sorcerer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/ncsoft-reveals-the-second-mage-subclass-the-sorcerer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/ncsoft-reveals-the-second-mage-subclass-the-sorcerer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Aion: The Tower of Eternity is attracting quite a lot of attention and, hot on the heels of the next phase in the beta, NCsoft has released a new and exciting batch of screenshots. This time focusing on the second Mage subclass -- the Sorcerer -- the fourteen screenies show new mobs and locations, as well as both Asmodian and Elyos' Sorcerers. As usual, the screenshots also come with a little bit more info about the class:

"The Sorcerer is a Daeva who follows the Star of Magic. They are able to freely wield the destructive power if the natural elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. A sorcerer is a scholar at heart, evident by the books and orbs they normally carry with them. However, these items can be dangerous weapons in their hands as they help to increase a Sorcerer's power."

Check out our gallery below to see the new screenshots in all their shiny glory.

Gallery: Aion: A closer look at the Mage: the Sorcerer

MassivelyNCsoft reveals the second Mage subclass: the Sorcerer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-cbt4aion-classesaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityncsoftncsoft-westnewsscreenshotsThu, 30 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion finds its voice for CBT5 weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/aion-finds-its-voice-for-cbt5-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/aion-finds-its-voice-for-cbt5-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/aion-finds-its-voice-for-cbt5-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


This weekend sees the fifth iteration of Aion's Closed Beta Test and NCsoft has released a nice set of notes to go along with it. The big news is this CBT will see the introduction of the first sound files for English audio, including NPC greetings, farewells and narration during cut scenes. During character selection you'll also be able to sample the avatar voices for the first time. If you're curious to see what the NPC voices sound like AionSource have managed to track down some samples of the Shugo, Elyos and Asmodian sound files.

But that's not all; the long-awaited racial prologues will also be included. This is the first quest in the game, an opening cutscene which leads into the starter zones of Poeta or Ishalgen. To see them you just need to create a new character of either faction. For beginners, NCsoft are also including tutorial videos, new dialogue and quest text, various fixes and two new servers in both Europe and North America. Excited yet? Well don't forget, the fun begins on Friday at noon PST and 8PM CEST.

Update: NCsoft have posted some samples and outtakes of their own, as well as some interesting facts about the process of creating English language dialogue, on the official site.

MassivelyAion finds its voice for CBT5 weekend originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-cbt5aion-localizationaion-soundaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityncsoftncsoft-westsound-filesvoicesThu, 30 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft reveal Aion's Mage sub-class, the Spiritmaster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/ncsoft-reveal-aions-mage-sub-class-the-spiritmaster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/ncsoft-reveal-aions-mage-sub-class-the-spiritmaster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/ncsoft-reveal-aions-mage-sub-class-the-spiritmaster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

NCsoft have released a new batch of screenshots from Aion: The Tower of Eternity, this time showcasing the Mage subclass, the Spiritmaster. Now the Spiritmaster, as I'm sure you'll remember from the Ten Ton Hammer interview we mentioned last week with Associate Producer Lani 'Liv' Blazier, are able to summon elemental spirits to their aid in battle. This helps make up for the Spiritmaster's otherwise squishy nature. NCsoft have also released a series of screenshots of Asmodian Spiritmasters doing their thing with some fiery and icy companions, giving us a first proper look at higher level 'pets'. They have also provided an overview to tease the class:

"Spiritmasters use the power of the Spirits to strike fear in the hearts of their enemies, and have the capability of harnessing fierce pets to turn the tide in combat. While they make deadly opponents in long-rage encounters, Spiritmasters lack the physical strength of other classes. The path of the Spiritmaster is one of the more testing paths to journey in Aion."

Don't forget Closed Beta Test 4 takes place this weekend, until then take a look at our gallery below.

Gallery: Aion: A closer look at the Mage: the Spiritmaster

MassivelyNCsoft reveal Aion's Mage sub-class, the Spiritmaster originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-classesaion-screenshot-galleryaion-screenshotsaion-spiritmasteraion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityncsoft-westTue, 14 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft's Lani Blazier reveals Aion's Spiritmaster class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/ncsofts-lani-blazier-reveals-aions-spiritmaster-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/ncsofts-lani-blazier-reveals-aions-spiritmaster-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/ncsofts-lani-blazier-reveals-aions-spiritmaster-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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.

MassivelyNCsoft'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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityasmodianelyosinterviewinterviewslani-blazierncsoftncsoft-westten-ton-hammerThu, 09 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion Collector's Edition close to selling out in the UK]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/aion-collectors-edition-close-to-selling-out-in-the-uk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/aion-collectors-edition-close-to-selling-out-in-the-uk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/aion-collectors-edition-close-to-selling-out-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Pre-orders for the collector's and standard editions of Aion have been going on for a while but Ten Ton Hammer has been getting reports that many UK retailers have sold out of the shiny, special editions of NCsoft's latest MMO which is due to be released in Europe on 25th September. Europe and the US only received 50,000 special editions so it's no surprise stocks are running low (particularly at Amazon UK and GAME where they do indeed seem to have sold out.) Ten Ton Hammer got in touch with NCsoft's PR Director Ryan James who commented:

"We're very excited by the demand we've seen for Aion overall, both in our beta test events and in preorders and presales of the game. We specifically have seen incredible demand for the limited collector's edition version of the game, of which we are producing 50,000 copies in North America and Europe. In some cases, retailers in both territories have indeed sold out of their allotments. However, there are still copies available and the best way to ensure you can get your hands on a collector's edition before launch is to preorder it today either from standard retail outlets."

MassivelyAion Collector's Edition close to selling out in the UK originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-collectors-editionncsoftncsoft-westten-ton-hammerWed, 08 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft reveals Aion's warrior subclasses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/ncsoft-reveals-aions-warrior-subclasses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/ncsoft-reveals-aions-warrior-subclasses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/ncsoft-reveals-aions-warrior-subclasses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


With Closed Beta Test 3 for NCsoft's Aion finishing earlier today, they're keen to keep interest until the next phase of the beta. With this in mind, they have released some shiny new images of the Warrior subclasses; the Gladiator and the Templar. Just to recap, you play a Warrior until level 9 and, upon ascending, you must choose which class to specialise in. Do you want to just kick some arse? Go Gladiator. If you're after more of a hybrid with the ability to keep yourself and your mates alive, go Templar.

NCsoft have released three shots of each subclass. Frankly they don't really tell you much about the specific subclasses or their abilities. However that doesn't stop them being great eye candy. Think of them as an advertisement to show you what Atreia can really offer MMO players, it's all about looking completely awesome in kickarse gear. Seriously, the avatar in the image above looks really, really cool. Anyway, don't forget to check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Aion: A closer look at the Warrior: Gladiator and Templar

Templar 1Templar 2Templar 3Gladiator 1Gladiator 2

MassivelyNCsoft reveals Aion's warrior subclasses originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityncsoftncsoft-westtemplar-aiontemplars-aionwarrior-aionMon, 06 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft's open letter to the Aion community targets all players of NCsoft games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/ncsofts-open-letter-to-the-aion-community-targets-all-players-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/ncsofts-open-letter-to-the-aion-community-targets-all-players-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/27/ncsofts-open-letter-to-the-aion-community-targets-all-players-o/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's not everyday that we find a letter addressed to an entire company's audience when it's posted on a specific game site, but that's what NCsoft West's executive producer, Lance Stites has done with his recent letter to the Aion community.

To sum up his letter, it's been a busy series of restructuring the company and preparing for their next big release: Aion. While much of the focusing has been on Aion, the company isn't looking away from Lineage, Lineage II or Exteel. Those are still high on the company's priority list, according to Stites.

But things are going along smoothly for Aion, as more voice overs are currently being recorded, the localization is continuing smoothly, and tutorial videos are in production. It sounds like Aion really is the golden game of the studio, but it's also nice to hear about all of the staffing changes going on with the other games.

For the full letter and all of the nitty gritty of what's going on with the studio, head on over to Aion's website and check out Stites's report.

MassivelyNCsoft's open letter to the Aion community targets all players of NCsoft games originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionexecutive-producerexteellance-stitesletterlineagelineage-2ncsoftncsoft-westopen-letterSat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft reveals Beluslan in a video tour]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/ncsoft-reveals-beluslan-in-a-video-tour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/ncsoft-reveals-beluslan-in-a-video-tour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/ncsoft-reveals-beluslan-in-a-video-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


There might be another week until the next stage of the Aion beta but NCsoft are ramping up the excitement surrounding their next big MMO. Today they released a video showcasing yet another part of the rich world of Atreia. Profiling the Asmodian zone of Beluslan, the short video offers an eagle's eye view of what we can expect when the game goes on sale in September.

Join us after the jump for NCsoft's take on the zone as well as the video itself.

Continue reading NCsoft reveals Beluslan in a video tour

MassivelyNCsoft reveals Beluslan in a video tour originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-betaaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternityBeluslanncsoftncsoft-westThu, 25 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jaeho Lee moving to Seattle, not running NC West from Korea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/jaeho-lee-moving-to-seattle-not-running-nc-west-from-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/jaeho-lee-moving-to-seattle-not-running-nc-west-from-korea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/jaeho-lee-moving-to-seattle-not-running-nc-west-from-korea/#commentsFiled under: ,


When the news came out last week that Jaeho Lee, former chief financial officer for NCsoft, would be taking over as CEO of NCsoft West, a lot of people (including press) assumed that he would be calling the shots from Korea -- after all, NCsoft had said that the change was about "global management" and working together across business units. However, we are now being told that Lee will make the journey to Seattle to join the NCsoft West team. In response to the earlier reports of NCsoft shifting leadership of its Western division to Korea, a rep had this to say to Gamasutra:

"Jaeho Lee is moving to Seattle, so nothing has shifted except him. A similar change of personnel happened in our Japan office, so this was a strategic move on the part of our headquarters in Seoul to streamline global management."

The rep also mentioned that Lee ran other departments such as marketing and production while in his position as chief financial officer.

MassivelyJaeho Lee moving to Seattle, not running NC West from Korea originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceochief-financial-officeglobal-managementjaeho-leekoreanc-westncsoftncsoft-westseattleTue, 19 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft West gets a new CEO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/ncsoft-west-gets-a-new-ceo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/ncsoft-west-gets-a-new-ceo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/ncsoft-west-gets-a-new-ceo/#commentsFiled under: ,


There's been another shift in the staffing over at NCsoft West. This time, former CEO Chris Chung will be moving aside to let Jaeho Lee take his place. Lee was the chief financial officer of NCsoft, and his appointment at NC West was made with the intention of improving the subsidiary's communication with home base in Korea. NCsoft's corporate PR director Jae Sung Lee gave a comment to Kotaku regarding the move:

"As part of the corporation's global strategy, global management grows increasingly important, and the need to work together across business units becomes paramount to our success. This personnel change increases our ability in each market to remain competitive."

Chris Chung hasn't been turfed out on to the front doorstep as a result of the move and will remain where he is at NCsoft West, albeit with a lesser job title.

MassivelyNCsoft West gets a new CEO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceocfochief-executive-officerchief-financial-officerchris-chungjaeho-leenc-westncsoftncsoft-westncwestFri, 15 May 2009 10:00:00 EST