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Aion prologue videos to serve as character intro sequences?
Update: These prologue videos WERE enabled this past beta weekend. I guess our assumption was correct! Thanks Zhiril!As you might have gathered from our past Aion closed beta coverage, your first steps into the world of Atreia are a bit confusing. Currently, new characters are unceremoniously dumped into the world with a nasty bout of amnesia, with no idea of who they are or why they are there. The first ten levels of the game are all about regaining your memories and getting your destiny back on track.NCsoft just released two new prologue videos and it seems like they would make perfect game introduction sequences. The Elyos prologue introduces players to the nasty Balaur creature featured later on in their destiny quests. The Asmodian prologue shows off the gray-haired Elyos warrior players do battle with in their destiny quests.It appears that both videos take place in the Abyss and culminate in a severe bump to your character's noggin, which sends him or her crashing back down to either Elysea or Asmodae (depending on your faction). When you awaken, you no longer remember your past nor do you possess the powers of a full-fledged daeva.Check out the videos after the cut!
Aion website refresh includes game guides and wiki
Ahead of Closed Beta Test 4, which starts later today, NCsoft have revealed a new-look website for Aion: The Tower of Eternity which includes its own wiki and the electronic equivalent of a manual, explaining how to play the game. The site itself has been given an overhaul and now seems identical regardless of whether you prefer the US version or the European one. There are also feeds to Aion's Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as the collective Twitter feeds of the devs and regional CM's. All four are well worth following but more so if you've not yet pre-ordered the game or got yourself a beta key as they normally give quite a few away just before each new beta test event.However, the big new addition to the site is the wiki. It's an excellent resource to anyone looking to figure out how the game works.and there's an especially detailed page explaining character creation, on top of this there are pages exploring the lore and the zones which have been made available to Elyos and Asmodian players. Indeed the addition of this new wiki is perfectly timed and means players new and slightly more experienced are going to be able to understand how the game works that much more easily. The wiki is still in beta, but that said, it's a wealth of official information about the game which is sure to be invaluable to players who are rolling a toon for the first time or finally exploring how the other faction lives. So, don't forget to check it out before today's fun and games begin at noon PST/8pm CET.
NCsoft's Lani Blazier reveals Aion's Spiritmaster class
NCsoft's Lani 'Liv' Blazier has revealed more detailed information on Aion's Mage subclass, the Spiritmaster, in an interview with Ten Ton Hammer. Spiritmasters are, as their name suggests, able to summon spirits who will help them battle. In the beta, it's common to see Spiritmasters running around with a fiery minion at their heels but Lani is keen to let everyone know that there's a lot more skill to playing this class than meets the eye: "In the Aion beta, Spiritmasters can summon four kinds of spirits, each based on one of the core elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. At Aion's release, we will introduce a fifth spirit. This new spirit is specific to a character's race. Asmodian Spiritmasters will be able to summon a spirit that is a combination of the elements of fire and earth, and Elyos Spiritmasters will be able to summon a spirit that is a combination of wind and water. Each spirit has different abilities. It can be challenging at times to recognize which element would be best to call on, and it is a mark of a player's experience in the class to become skilled at this decision. Using the right spirit at the right time can be the difference between winning or losing a battle."Check out the full interview for more information.
NCsoft reveal Aion's Scout sub-classes, the Assassin and the Ranger
NCsoft has just revealed another batch of class-centric screenshots for must-play MMO Aion. This time they're focusing on the agile Scout, specifically the sub-classes of the Assassin and the Ranger. Perhaps the nicest thing is the fact that the screenshots include both Elyos and Asmodian Daeva, including the particularly angelic -- but slightly menacing -- one you see above.Assassins are, as their name suggests, crafty killers. Though physically squishy, they are, according to NCsoft, 'able to strike silently and with devastating consequences at vulnerable targets, effectively bringing down whole groups with a single action'. Perhaps the most interesting piece of lore suggests that Assassins have turned their backs on the deity known as Aion and instead 'follow the star of death for instruction'. Rangers, meanwhile, prefer to work alone or in teams, and possess 'finely honed survival instincts and the ability to endure even in the harshest of environments'. Weapons-wise, they use daggers, traps to snare their prey and are expert archers.You can check out the images of the Ranger and Assassin in our Scout gallery below.%Gallery-67600%
The Daily Grind: Greener grass
I've played Alliance since Day One of my time in World of Warcraft. Granted I've dabbled now and then with Horde, I've always been so depressed by the starting zones that I never went further than level 4. However my recent experience with Aion and leveling both factions has given me a new perspective on playing 'good' and 'evil' factions. Indeed terms like that are fast becoming obsolete. So when a friend of mine told me she had rolled a Horde on a backwater server (describing her toon as 'furry with horns') I was eager to join her. Of all the Horde races, the Tauren seem the least evil, the most peaceful and have the prettiest starter zone. So I rolled a female shaman just to be completely different and my friend chose a male warrior.The grass really is greener on the other side of the fence. The quests are new, as is the lore and while the actual objectives are often similar it's like seeing an MMO with a new pair of eyes. Indeed I think it could totally change how you enjoy a particular MMO and how you play it. When it comes to WoW specifically, this is even more the case now that Blizzard have revealed their plans to allow you to change your faction. So, come on readers, have you leveled a toon in (insert your chosen MMO here), got them geared up and then decided to see things from the other side? Did you switch because you wanted a change? Was it the lore? Better quests? A chance to do something different? If you were like me, would you consider jumping ship and re-rolling during your next bout of burn out? Speak up, constant readers, and drop your comments in the box.
Get your keys for the third Aion beta weekend, before they're gone
It's going to be another weekend of angels flying around the world, except this weekend you're going to get to choose which side you want to support! Yes, that's right, it's the third weekend for the Aion beta test.This weekend's testing focus will be on both the Elyos and Asmodian sides and testers will be able to progress all the way up to level 20. No more getting capped at 10 just after you grab your wings! The test's doors open tomorrow, July 2nd, at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET.If you haven't gotten your key for the beta yet, run on over to Fileplanet and grab one! Sadly, at the time of this post, there are no more keys left for standard users, but Fileplanet subscribers still have the opportunity to grab an entrance into the beta. Oh, one more thing -- these keys are for North American users only.
Which version of Aion will be available at launch?
NCsoft is hoping that the pairing of flight and fantasy in Aion will prove to be a hit in both North America and Europe. Gamers who were accepted into the betas have been asking the Aion team about which version of the title the Western markets will see at launch. NCsoft has announced: "Aion is planned to release with version 1.5, the third major game update, bringing the content as up to date as possible. The Aion team strives to keep the game content consistent between territories, and releasing with this game version brings us one step closer to this goal." Our own Lesley Smith has been writing about her experiences with the game through Aion's various beta test phases, particularly the experience of becoming a Daeva as an Elyos or as an Asmodian; we recommend reading her hands-on series if you're interested in this title. Massively will continue to cover Aion leading right up to the game's September launch.
The Daily Grind: Asmodian or Elyos?
When I first heard about Aion: Tower of Eternity, my first thought aside from "wow" was "I'm so going to play Elyos". It was the wings, you see, and I always seem to play on the 'good side'. However, having now played both sides, I'm torn. I love the look of the Elyos and their angelic society, but I also appreciate the struggles of the Asmodians. Plus they do that groovy glowing-eyes-in-combat thing which just looks awesome. I might just roll one of each. I was curious to see a lot of people loitering in Pandaemonium over the weekend advertising their Elyos guilds and the same thing happened during CBT1 but with Elyos advertising their Asmodian ones.So now you've had a chance to play both factions from Aion: Tower of Eternity I'm curious to know whether you will still roll (insert your faction here) or whether you've had a change of heart. Does a particular faction's lore or locale grab you more or have you just bonded with your avatar so much that you can't dream of defecting to the other side? If you've not changed your mind, are you going to stick with your avatar during CBT3? Were you glad the Aion devs allowed you to play Elyos this weekend or were you glad you could finally roll that Asmodian? Speak up, readers, and let us know what you think.
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Hands on with the Aion beta: Becoming a Daeva
As the Aion: Tower of Eternity Closed Beta Test 2 continues, it's time to go deeper into Asmodae. You've explored Tunapre Lake, passed through Sap Farm, explored the Odella Plantation, braved the ghost-filled Ishalgen Prison Camp and you've even discovered the Forgotten Place of Exile. As you level, the Raiders and other NPCs start to mention Daevahood and an old man called Munin. Are you ready to meet destiny? Join us after the jump to find out what the future holds.
The Daily Grind: What did you think of Asmodae?
So, Closed Beta Test 2 is over and the next one is over a week away. Aion has gone silent for now and that means we have a time to reflect on the weekend's event. I got my warrior maiden to level 10 quite easily and spent the rest of the time exploring the available zones including Altgard. I have a feeling I ended up in Morheim too but scarpered as soon as I noticed the mobs were level 40. While I will probably stick with Elyos, I can't get over how beautiful Asmodae is. It's much more aesthetically pleasing than the parts of Elysea I've seen and if they could just move the sky from Altgard Fortress and Tunapre Lake to Elysea I'd be set.So come on beta-testing readers? What did you think of Asmodae? Was it what you expected or were you, like me, a little surprised? Has it made you reconsider which race you're going to roll when the game goes live later this year? Speak up and drop your thoughts in the comments box below.
Hands on with the Aion beta: Your first steps in Asmodae
Welcome back to Aion. Yes it's Closed Beta Test 2 weekend and this time round I'm rolling Asmodian to explore a very different side of the shattered planet of Atreia. During CBT1 we showed you the lower half of the planet, a land known as Elysea and home of the angelic Elyos. I walked you through the character creation process, the first ten levels as a frail mortal, the Elyos ascension quest and those first steps into Sanctum and Verteron. Now it's time to visit the upper half and home of the Asmodians, the continent of Asmodae.
CM Ayase reveals Aion CBT2 and future beta plans
With only two days to go before the next leg of the Aion beta (aka CBT2), CM Ayase has posted more information on this weekend's event but also gone into a little more detail (much of which we already knew) about the on-going beta. However he also mentions what amount to the briefest of build notes letting us know about changes such as sever queues, NPCs fixes and 'culturalized content' (I chose to read that as 'lore') specifically for Asmodians. Ayase also reveals the subject matter of CBT3 which will focus on leveling an Asmodian from 1-20 while CBT4 will allow players to pick a side and level their avatar to 25. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the post is not what we're getting now but what is promised on the horizon including localized voice overs for cut scenes, localized tutorial video, in game pre-rendered movies (of which we saw a little in the first beta event) and more culturalized content for Asmodians and the Elyos. I'm excited already.
Aion summer beta schedule revealed
Renewed speculation about Aion's North American release date began swirling when a couple online retailers listed it at September 1, 2009. We have now come across some interesting information in the July issue of Beckett Massive Online Gamer that suggests NCsoft may indeed meet the target. The magazine lists these key dates: June 19-21: Asmodian closed beta capped at level 10 July 3-5: Asmodian level cap increases July 17-19: Abyss only with unrestricted flight and hopefully a lot of PvP August 14-17: First open beta August 19-23: Second open beta The dates are listed as "accurate as of press time" and may be subject to change, but we can confirm the Asmodian beta will commence this weekend and that it will be capped at level 10. You can definitely be sure of one thing: Massively will be there to cover each and every Aion beta event from now until release.[Via: Keen and Graev]
Aion Closed Beta Test 1 over, CBT2 dated.
It's seems everyone and their best friend was playing Aion this weekend, including most of Team Massively. The closed beta test (CBT) ended in the wee small hours of this morning with gamers providing plenty of feedback via the official forums. It wasn't too long before EU CM Ayase nipped posted an announcement regarding the next phase of testing which will see players becoming Asmodians:"The event is scheduled to start Friday, June 19th (9:00 PM CEST, 8:00 PM BST, noon PST) and to end on Monday, June 22nd (8:59 AM CEST, 7:59 AM BST, Sunday 21st 11.59 PM PST). In CBT2 we will want to focus on the very first area of Asmodae and have therefore set the level limit to 10, primarily to make sure it's properly run through, but also to allow testers to stop and perhaps smell the flowers more, to dive into the quests and quest texts more carefully and to better explore the arch-classes. More information will come shortly and more beta events are definitely set to arrive in the future, so stock up on those canned beans (okay, maybe something else) and stay tuned!"
The Daily Grind: Are you excited by the Aion beta?
I don't know about you but I'm so excited by Aion. I really can't help it, I've been following the game since it was announced. I'm pretty sure it was the angelic avatars, the ability to fly, an ethereal soundtrack and the Asian origins which captured my attention and I'm literally counting down the hours until the beta begins on Friday. Days like this make me love my job. By now the beta keys should have started landing in inboxes, including the 200 we gave away last week, and the fact they went so fast confirms my belief that a lot of people want to play this game.So come on, readers, do you have a beta key? Are you planning to roll an Elyos? Do you like the idea of a shorter beta testing a specific class/race/zone or do you prefer being left to your own devices with an entire world to explore? Would you rather play as an Asmodian? What about you folks who don't give a fig, why doesn't Aion interest you? Are you baffled by the number of people clamouring to play this new MMO?
GDC09: Hands-on with Aion
To understand the game Aion, you first need a bit of background on its setting. Aion has many of the trappings you would expect to find in a typical fantasy MMO, but it is a completely original IP with some unique elements. As a player, you are a resident of Atreia, created by the deity Aion, and torn asunder by ancient war between the human races and the Aion's former servants, the Balaur. After millennia of struggle, the Balaur succeeded in destroying the Tower of Eternity, Aion's embodiment on Atreia, splitting the planet in half. In the game's present day, the Asmodians live in the harsh, frigid climates on the upper half of Atreia, far from the sun; while the Elyos live in the sun-drenched, tropical lower half of Atreia. Neither recall the details of the cataclysm that split the world and both blame the other for the destruction that befell Atreia.Today, fragments of the shattered tower have begun to drift through the heavens and mysterious portals have opened in the world, transporting the Asmodians and Elyos to the Abyss that lays between the two halves of Atreia. Here, they meet one another and their old, neigh-forgotten enemies, the Balaur.Unsurprisingly, war is at hand. In Aion's "PvPvE" system, you'll fight against both the opposing faction and the NPC Balaur at every turn as you seek to unlock the mysteries of the world around you. %Gallery-48588%
Aion: The Tower of Eternity lore moves forward in a world divided
The fantasy setting of NCsoft's Aion: The Tower of Eternity, known as Atreia, is a world largely divided between the upper world dwellers called Asmodians and the lower world denizens, the Elyos. Once a single united people, the game's lore has been expanding, telling the story of how the rifts between Atreia's people formed. In the wake of the Epic Cataclysm, the Elyos and Asmodians have their own tales to tell. This is the focus of Chapter VII of the Atreia story. The Elyos tale continues with "The Abyss and The Storm Legion" while the Asmodian story is told through "Retribution". Both tales are accounts of the same event, told from opposed perspectives. Check out how Aion's lore is advancing through the dual perspectives of the Elyos and Asmodians in Chapter VII.
Aion lore Chapter V reveals cataclysmic event
As we mentioned earlier this month, the lore of Aion is shaping up into some intriguing backstory. In what seems to be bi-weekly installments, the folks at NCsoft are giving us bits and pieces of what Aion is all about. In the latest piece, the epic cataclysmic event that we've heard so much about has finally been revealed.Check out Chapter V in the ongoing story of how the Tower of Eternity fell and changed the world of Aion forever. This chapter, as with all previous chapters in Aion lore, is told through two opposing viewpoints: the Elyos and the Asmodian. Find out how each side viewed that historical event and how it will eventually shape the world as we'll know it when the game launches (hopefully soon!).
What do you know about Aion lore?
If you've ever wondered what there is to NCsoft's upcoming Aion: The Tower of Eternity MMO besides wings, you might be interested in their recent installments of lore for the game. Each faction, the Elyos and the Asmodian, has their own set of historical folklore that pertains to a certain cataclysmic event in their past. This event separated the two once-friendly groups, but the blame is told differently for each side. At this point, we have an introduction and four chapters for each faction, giving us plenty to read as we prepare for this game's launch. If you're a lore buff, or you simply want to soak up any and all info on Aion, check out these chapters of lore and let us know what you think so far.
Aion's beauty shines through in Asmodian Ascension Quest video
NCsoft's upcoming MMO Aion: The Tower of Eternity is looking to be a graphically stunning game. The latest trailer, Asmodian Ascension Quest, shows off some gorgeous settings and reveals a bit of the lore, as it concerns the struggle between the Asmodian and Elyos races. The video follows a young Asmodian as she ascends to the lofty heights of the Daeva, having battled her way to godhood on land and in the sky in winged combat. If you like what you see here, be sure to check out the full high-res download over at our sister site Big Download.[Thanks, Torak]
