Katalam
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Aion 4.0 slated for August launch in Europe
While Daevas in North America are looking forward to Aion's 4.0 launch next week, those in Europe have to wait longer due to the extra localization involved with multiple languages. But that wait won't be long: Gameforge has announced that the latest expansion is planned to launch this summer. Volker Boenigk, Executive Product Director for Aion at Gameforge, stated, "The necessary work towards this for 4.0 is progressing well and I'm confident that the update will be available on the European servers in August." Eager to storm the lands of Katalam or try your hand at the new Engineer or Artist classes (which become the Gunner and Songweaver, respectively)? if so, your time will soon be at hand. [Source: Gameforge press release]
Wings Over Atreia: Exclusive peek into Aion 4.0's new zones
I have a pretty standard M.O. when it comes to my MMOs: Regardless of how various tutorials want to direct me, I wander off and explore the new world I find myself in. I love to poke around, look into corners, and see all there is to see. The same goes for any time a patch or expansion opens up new places to meander through. That's really just how I roll/run/fly/shamble/hop. So it should come as no surprise that I am excitedly awaiting the new lands of Katalam and Danaria when Aion: Dark Betrayal launches on the 26th. I know that I am not alone in my anticipation, so for all those who are also looking forward to taking off into Aion's new realms, I've got something special for you. No, I can't let you into the game early (but if they ever open the door early for me, I'll prop it for you!), but I do have the next best thing to a first-hand experience: a visual tour. I've gotten a hold of -- legitimately, I swear -- a video and a number of screenshots showing off all three (yes, I said three) new zones, and I want to share them with you. On top of that, I also have some highlights of the story behind these new areas that Daevas will soon be soaring into. Join me to take a tour and learn the lore of Katalam, Danaria, and Idian Depths.%Gallery-191538%
Wings Over Atreia Exclusive: Soar into Aion 4.0 June 26th
Could it be? Is that really... it IS! Your eyes do not deceive you; there really is a bonafide date set for the release of Aion's next expansion, Dark Betrayal. And I've got to tell you, it is such a relief to be able to share the news without the chance of that electric shock collar going off. You'll be able to spread your wings in Katalam and Danaria -- or just spread new wings period if you go for one of the new classes -- come June 26th. But here's the catch: If you still have things you want to get in order before the expansion hits (perhaps gain a level or two like some people we know), now you've got a deadline! Luckily, for all those stuck in the position of needing to advance in levels a bit to experience all of what 4.0 offers, Aion's got just the event to help you out. Starting June 5th and going all the way to launch on the 26th, any and all Daevas -- meaning level 10 and above -- can participate in Code Red and receive special enhancements to aid in their adventures.
Tour the lands and classes of Aion 4.0 in two new trailers
We've been teased with bits of information and still shots for various aspects of Aion's upcoming 4.0 expansion for quite some time. Today, we finally get to see it live! No, I don't mean the patch is live, sadly; rather, NCsoft has released two trailers highlighting the new lands, classes, and skills that eager Daevas can expect when the expansion finally hits North America. The first video highlights the new zone Katalam with its various landscapes, shows off a fortress siege, spotlights the new classes, and demonstrates a number of new skills, including the new intensity skills players charge for a more powerful effect. On top of that, it zooms through a host of new instances, introducing even more than those already revealed. It also appears to suggest a new type of character customization, but there is no additional information currently available. The second video focuses solely on the new skills coming to existing classes. Feast your eyes on all of the visual goodness in the two trailers after the break and tell us what you think!
Wings Over Atreia: Promises, promises
There was a time a while back when I chided NCsoft for being so closed-lipped about news. Although F2P was the biggest change ever to hit Aion, there was scant information about the North American conversion to free-to-play that accompanied 3.0 until it was practically upon us! Now fast forward just one little numeral to 4.0, and we seem to be getting regular doses of information. Awesome, right? Or is it? At first, I was overjoyed to learn new bits about the upcoming expansion. It even spawned some entertaining speculation. But the fact remained that since we still didn't know when Aion 4.0 might arrive, each added bit of news was a tease. Then it dawned on me: The studio combined my request for more news with my pleas for more frequent, if smaller, content updates. But instead of actual content in-game to excite players and keep them playing, we are getting the intangible promises of content to come! Ingenious. But is it working?
Aion 4.0 introduces new region of Katalam
Aion's 4.0 patch has been getting more and more interesting ever since NCsoft hinted that it would bring three new classes into the game. We've since learned about the Troubadour and the Gunslinger, but 4.0 is about more than just classes. An official news post today introduced a new region that will be coming in 4.0. Katalam, a lush, verdant region will be awaiting players once the patch hits. In addition to the name, the news post showed off some concept art featuring a mountainside fortress, a plains fortress, some old temple-lookin' thing, and a flying fortress. We don't know anything else about the region yet, but hit up Katalam's introduction to drool over the scenery for yourself.
