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NCsoft and DC Comics announce Aion comic book
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-71519% 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 announces Aion NA and EU open beta details
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 its PAX plans
It's nearly September which means the Penny Arcade Expo is swiftly approaching. Taking place between September 4th-6th in Seattle, PAX is fast becoming the new must-attend convention for all sections of the industry, from developers to publishers and gamers. NCsoft has just announced their plans for this year's convention and this focuses on their three big IPs: Aion, Guild Wars 2 and City of Heroes.NCsoft will once again have booths at the event, one per game. On the Aion front, they will be showing the latest build of the game, which includes patch 1.5 (aka The Shadow of the Balaur). Producer Brian Knox and Associate Producer Lani Blazier will also be on hand at booth #642. At the Guild Wars 2 booth (#842), there will be Q and As with the Live Team, a talk on the upcoming novel The Fall of Ascalon and the chance to win a 128 page Art of Guild Wars 2 artbook. Finally at the City of Heroes booth (#542) you can take a peek at the new update ("Power Spectrum") and nab a special PAX Costume Power code. There will also be a player meet up on the Saturday night (September 5th) hosted by the Online Community Relations team, for more information on that click here.
NCsoft launch Aion and Guild Wars emote cross promotion
Everyone loves wings right? That's one of the reasons Aion appeals so much. Well NCsoft has launched a little cross promotion based on that fact. Essentially it boils down to this: if you buy a first edition of Aion (either the steelbook or the shiny Collector's Edition) you'll get a special emote which will be tied to your account. This will then allow you to summon a pair of wings in Guild Wars! Unfortunately the wings are purely cosmetic, your Guild Wars avatar won't be able to take to the air but the wings will move and look awfully authentic (as seen in the image to your left). The emote itself can be triggered by typing /aion in any Guild Wars title. Before you ask, it's completely free, has unlimited uses and will become active on September 22nd, the day Aion launches in North America. However it is worth stressing that the code can only be gained by getting physical versions of the game, not through digital download. The code emote is also available to gamers both in North America and Europe and will be tied to your account forever. For more information on how to get and redeem your emote, as well as check out what it will look like, click here.
NCsoft posts epic video interview with Aion Lead Designer Yongchan Jee
GamesCom is in full swing with NCsoft taking full advantage of social networking, from twittering about their activities to streaming video on Facebook in order to promote their newest MMO. Aion has been the talk of the show with everything from an eye-catching booth and drool-worthy swag to live theatre (a must-see even if the acting is cringe-worthy) to an interview with the Korean development team. Associate Producer Lani Blazier took to the stage to put the audience's questions to Aion's Lead Designer Yongchan Jee in an epic seventy minute video. This includes discussing the origins of the combat system and PvPvE, what makes Aion different from other games like WoW and Lord of the Rings Online to offering advice for would-be games designers. The interview itself is great because it's not just all about the English devs, instead we're getting to the source and a chance to listen to direct answers from one of the creators of 2009's most anticipated MMO. Check out the full video after the jump.
NCsoft dev discusses the genesis of Aion at GDC Europe
Aion dev Yongchan Jee spilled the beans on the game's origins as part of a GDC Europe Q and A session. Gamasutra were on hand to find out what exactly makes the game stand out in Korea. This included addressing a gap in the market for 'AAA' titles after the release of Lineage II and World of Warcraft, as well as focusing on a faction warfare angle which sees the two player-controlled races of the Elyos and the Asmodians fighting against each other and the terrifying Balaur. Jee also discussed how the game was rebooted in 2006 and while this did affect the moral of the developers, it ultimately allowed them to start from scratch and create a truly memorable game.Lee also focused on the character customisation, discussing the concepts of beautiful and ugly characters in MMOs like World of Warcraft, where Korean players often favour the Alliance over the Horde. He also explained why the devs chose to create Aion as a zone-based MMO over a seamless world. Aion fans should definitely check out Gamasutra's write up for even more hints at Aion's gestation and conception.
Aion trailer 1.5 released into the wild
Aion's launch is coming up this September, and a brand new trailer has been released to make sure that everyone remembers exactly how pretty this game is. For the record, Aion is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.Aion's "patch 1.5 trailer" is a glorious eye-candy collection of new zones, monsters, powers, and pretty. The focus here is obviously on the threats of the world as many large bosses are shown while formerly beautiful areas transition into a state of war and decay. The threats that will haunt players are extremely varied, as the video starts off with a dragon but goes on to show demons, foot soldiers, and even a really angry plant-like thing. You know things are bad when you can't even trust the plants.The second half of the trailer features an Asmodian raiding party taking down the owners of a beautiful airship, as well as a huge battle in the... You know what, why are we still talking when we could just be showing you the pretty first-hand? Jump after the break and take a look at Aion's latest trailer.%Gallery-70516%
NCsoft reveals Aion's Priest subclass: the Cleric
It seems with rumblings of an open beta reverberating through the interweb, Aion is never far from the thoughts of the avid MMO player or Team Massively. NCsoft just sent through a new (and shiny) batch of lovely Cleric-centric screenshots for your perusal. Focusing on the first of two subclasses, Clerics are healers who use "the power of magic to strengthen allies and heal their wounds. They can resurrect their allies. They are formidable opponents in melee when using a mace and a shield."Focusing on a rather gruff-looking Elyos, a dainty female Asmodian with scary eyes and another Asmodian sporting what looks like a new set of wings, the images are pure eye candy. Got beta withdrawal symptoms yet? Well check out our gallery below and hang on in there. Over the coming weeks we'll be bringing even more Aion news your way as we hurtle towards the much anticipated launch.%Gallery-70359%
The Daily Grind: How many MMOs do you play at one time?
MMOs tend to have dedicated fan bases and everyone has their favourite: Aion, City of Heroes, WoW, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online ... the list goes on and on. Everyone has their own personal favourite or the hip one that everyone and their pet goldfish is currently engrossed in. For example, I'm renowned for my adoration of the gorgeous Korean MMO that is Aion as well as my passion for WoW. Personally, these are the only two MMOs which do it for me enough that I will spend copious amounts of time exploring, questing and flying around pretty aimlessly. So two is my limit, I will occasionally play a couple extra, if I have to review something or a beta comes up but there's often little to keep me going past that. Yet Aion and WoW remain, filling the void and I couldn't be happier. Especially as there's more than enough happening between the two of them at the moment to keep me very busy. So I'm wondering, ever constant readers, how many MMOs do you juggle on a regular basis? Answer in the usual way by dropping your thoughts into the comment box below.
NCsoft announces Aion has gone gold, now being manufactured
Aion, NCsoft's latest MMO that is due to launch in the US and Europe next month, has just gone gold, the company has announced. For those not in the know, this means the game has been completed and is now being manufactured for release. Yes, that's it, the game is done. This comes after Aion has topped Steam's weekly sales chart and the Collector's Edition has almost sold out in the UK. The announcement hits just a few days before GamesCom 2009 in Cologne, Germany where NCsoft will be demoing version 1.5 of the game, which includes The Shadow of the Balaur content patch that was released in Korea on August 5th. NCsoft will also be demoing this latest version of the game at this year's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle and it will also be included with the North American and European versions of the game when Aion is released on September 22nd/25th. The Shadow of the Balaur promises new zones, instances, quests and some specially created Western looks within the expansive character customisation system.
Aion Elyos and Asmodian origin videos revealed
With the sixth and final Closed Beta Test for NCsoft's newest title, Aion, beginning later today. Things are starting to get really interesting. YouTube is a haven for all things video, especially when it comes to gaming and a look at those which aren't yet out. Well, a Hungarian fansite has uncovered the Elyos and Asmodians origin videos and posted them on their Youtube channel. Both videos are short but packed with lore and done in a similar style to the Aion origins video we told you about last month. Told from the perspective of a member of each race, the two videos narrate the first meeting of the Elyos and the Asmodians after years of separation. The Elyos blundered through a rift and a simple misunderstanding, perceived differently by each side, led to the start of a bitter feud. The Elyos believed the Asmodians were corruptions and that both them and their land must be destroyed, while the Asmodians feel it is their right to conquer the Elyos and their lush land simply because they believe they – and their Shedim Lords – were the ones who saved Atreia from complete destruction during the Cataclysm.Juicy stuff, eh? Well check out the videos in their complete Korean glory after the jump (click on cc to get the English subtitles).
Final Aion CBT promises a sneak peek at launch day content
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.
Aion intro cinematic beautiful but slightly vague?
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!
Hands on with the Aion beta: The lore of Atreia
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.
Redefining MMOs: Breaking the Mould
Just think about that title for a second. Of all the games genres you've played, isn't it MMOs that feel most like carbon copies of one another? Level systems, the character creation process and class archetypes are nearly universal, with hundreds of games sharing the same characteristics. Don't you sometimes wish that MMO developers would step back and reassess the genre they have collectively created? This week, as part of Massively's "Redefining MMOs" series, it's my turn to muse on a topic and I've chosen to look as whether it's time the MMO mould (or mold, as my American editors would say) should be broken and re-examined. Many aspects of MMOs, such as classes, levelling, raids and bosses, endure simply because they work. After all, if it ain't broke why fix it? But sometimes it feels like you need a breath of fresh air, to step back and smell the roses. This is especially the case when carbon copy MMOs start being rolled out. In the last few months I've tried MMO after MMO and can literally play each one blindfolded. Mages are mages, warriors are warriors and clerics by any other name are still priests. While the archetypes of these classes -- the healer, the tank, the caster, the melee damage-dealer and the pet-toting badass -- differ slightly between genres and titles, they are part of a formula that seems to define the MMO genre. Skip past the cut to read the rest of the article
The Daily Grind: Is beta testing just free labour?
It seems 2009 is the Summer of Betas. There certainly are a lot going on at the moment: Aion, Cities XL and Champions Online are just three of the most popular currently going on but the sheer concept of beta testing is a bit of a bug-bear amongst players. There are basically two camps: those who lap up a beta and treat it is a chance to explore the newest games (and seems to include most of Team Massively) or the latest content months before anyone else. Camp number two is a little more pragmatic. For these folks, betas (while fun and exciting) are just an excuse for Company X to save some money by getting a few million free and eager quality assurance monkeys. After all they ask for detailed bug reports and the same kind of information that is asked of professionals who get paid minimum wage to play games for hours.So, readers, as you mull over your coffee and cereal this morning, I'm eager to know to which camp you see yourself belonging? Are betas just a cheap ploy to get a few thousand fresh pairs of eyes or a genuine attempt to gauge a new game? Drop your thoughts in the box below.
Second Aion vidcast now available
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.
NCsoft release Korean trailer for Aion patch 1.5
For us here in the west, the launch of Aion might still be on the horizon. However, having had the game for the better part of a year, gamers in Korea have already turned their attention to patch 1.5. Indeed this is something we should also be excited about as the localized version of Aion aimed at Europe and the US will include this newest content patch. With this in mind, NCsoft over in Korea has revealed a trailer touting the new patch, catchily nicknamed The Shadow of the Balaur. According to translated patch notes from the official Korean site, 1.5 will include new instances that will see players visiting a twisted Balaur-infested version of the Elyos starter zone known as Dark Poeta. There's also a flying ship crewed by the adorable ferret-like Shugo and a new battleground. On top of that are plenty of minor changes including the ability to zoom in on the minimap, four new face presets, new armour sets and, my personal favourite, in-game clothing in the form of kimono and the imperial uniforms of China and Taiwan. Check out the video after the jump for a taste of what's to come.
Aion origins video now in the wild
With less than twenty four hours until the next Aion beta weekend begins, everyone is getting rather excited about the introduction of English language files. In advance of CBT5, the internet is being flooded with leaked videos showing ascension cut scenes and other aspects of game play. However, there's also something we've not seen before: a video prologue which shows the history of Atreia. As well as setting up the events of the game, it has got some pretty fantastic artwork seeming more of a montage than a cut scene. My guess is this will loop if the login screen is left alone for a while, much like a demo, in the final version of the game. There's little new here in terms of lore but it certainly looks very nice.Hit the jump to see the video.
NCsoft reveals the second Mage subclass: the Sorcerer
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-69076%
