I signed up for the Aion newsletter a while back and forgot that I did because they send newsletters out so rarely. Well today I got one and it had some interesting updates...

Aion release date

Guess in our hearts we all hoped to see an early 2009 release :) But as you see it's already March 2009 and as far as we got regarding this topic is the newest statement from NCSoft:
"We expect to ship Aion in NCsoft West territories in the fall of 2009."

Here is the email in full. I just wanted to point out the above for those who don't want to read it all.

Greetings everyone,

What a long time it has been since I have wrote a newsletter! This time the letter it is going to over 10.000 subscribers!! Omg!

So what is new and what has happened over these long days?

1) Chaos in Brighton

Not much information has got public expect the significant job loss and even a message from Ayase (Sebastian Streiffert, EU CM) with the last goodbye was out. The situation was looking very desperate at the time, but some people got an opportunity to move overseas (Seattle) to join NCsoft West’s new headquarters.

Gladly for us Ayase and Amboss (German CM) have decided to take this opportunity and now they will continue to update the community with news from Seattle!

Welcome back guys? :)

2) New NA Community Manager

Despite the fact that she got me disappointed right from the very start by sending the press to commercial websites raver then the official disciples of Aion I would still like to introduce Liv (Lani).

Liv has joined the NA production team and is now working with NCSoft West.
If you would like to read more about her visit Aion NA website for her introduction.
http://www.aiononline.com/us/community/development_team/meet_liv.html

3) New Aion media

Visual armor improvements

Some adjustments were made to armors in Aion, check them out
http://www.aionglobal.com/257-armor-improvements.html

3 new trailers featuring zones from Aion The Tower of Eternity have been released

Verteron Zone Trailer
http://www.aionglobal.com/258-verteron-zone-trailer.html

Altgard Preview
http://www.aionglobal.com/259-altgard-preview.html

Poeta Zone Preview
http://www.aionglobal.com/260-poeta-zone-preview.html

ps: I promise one of this days I'll get my hands on the video gallery -.-

4) Exclusive new concept art and screenshots from Korea

New concept art
http://www.aionglobal.com/aion-tower-of-eternity-concept-art/

New screenshots
http://www.aionglobal.com/aion-tower-of-eternity-screenshots/

5) Aion lore

If you enjoy reading and would like to know "Why, What, When, How, Where and Who?" then be sure to read the lore of Aion The Tower of Eternity.

Lore of the Elyos
http://www.aiononline.com/us/lore/book_of_the_elyos/

Lore of the Asmodians
http://www.aiononline.com/us/lore/book_of_the_asmodians/

6) Aion release date

Guess in our hearts we all hoped to see an early 2009 release :) But as you see it's already March 2009 and as far as we got regarding this topic is the newest statement from NCSoft:
"We expect to ship Aion in NCsoft West territories in the fall of 2009."

It looks like the game localization process is taking longer then anyone could possible expect. But don't be sad as time flies fast and maybe soon we will have a more detailed date of release!

7) Preview events

Here is what NCSoft says regarding the preview events:

"While we are not ready to release specific details regarding the Preview Event, we can tell you that participants will include those who signed up at last year at FJV, PAX and Leipzig. We will also be extending invites to long time NCsoft customers and dedicated legions. As we get closer, we will be offering more opportunities for fans to get signed up for this exclusive event. "

I know how badly most of you would want to try Aion and as soon as we get more information regarding this topic I'll try to let you know!

That is all guys!

Best regards to all,
ORZ,
http://ww.AionGlobal.Com

We haven't begun sending out official Aion newsletters at all yet ("rarely" is not the right word, hehe). The one above is in fact not official, but a member mail that was sent out by a fansite.

Originally posted by Ayase

We haven't begun sending out official Aion newsletters at all yet ("rarely" is not the right word, hehe). The one above is in fact not official, but a member mail that was sent out by a fansite.

 

 

Damn and here I thought I got a special treat lol. I still hope this is true though.

Originally posted by Ayase

We haven't begun sending out official Aion newsletters at all yet ("rarely" is not the right word, hehe). The one above is in fact not official, but a member mail that was sent out by a fansite.

 

 

I did not get a chance to say this before, Welcome back Ayase.

---

Originally posted by Ayase

We haven't begun sending out official Aion newsletters at all yet ("rarely" is not the right word, hehe). The one above is in fact not official, but a member mail that was sent out by a fansite.
 
 

---

I sort of suspected it, but

I am very glad you said this because I was beginning to wonder if anyone over at NC could spell XD. That grammer is very poor for an official release to english subscribers!

I was going to say: how come I didn't get one??? O.o I've been signed up for an age. :p

That's because that letter is from Aion Global fansite.

so are we looking at a fall 09 launch for NA or what?

Originally posted by lornj

so are we looking at a fall 09 launch for NA or what?

yes it has been said for months now

Originally posted by lornj

so are we looking at a fall 09 launch for NA or what?

The NA/EU client is done and they are doing in-house testing. They will run through the game and see if they find anything wrong with the changes they made.  I hope the preview event and launch will come in the fall.