MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh had the opportunity to ask the Aion developers a few questions about the Daeva and flight in this exclusive interview.

MMORPG.com:

Is earning your wings or becoming Daeva something like a rite of passage?

Aion:

Becoming a Daeva is something every child of Atreia dreams of. Ascension can be sparked by a traumatic event, or might happen in a moment of dire need; no one is sure exactly how or why it occurs. However, once it happens you realize you were meant for something greater.

Read the Daeva Interview

1 minute of flight time?  Come on that is absurdly short.  Even 5 minutes at the top end means flight is an after thought in this game. 

Even Wow players are going to have a huge laugh at this. 

All I can say is the rest of the game needs to step up as flight won't pull people in as it is designed.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

1 minute of flight time?  Come on that is absurdly short.  Even 5 minutes at the top end means flight is an after thought in this game. 

Flight is for travel, combat and resource gathering. Based on the functionality of flight and air space, along with the animations and the ease of use of flight, I'd say it was much more than 'an after thought' but I doubt any actual facts about the game are going to change your mind.

All I can say is the rest of the game needs to step up as flight won't pull people in as it is designed.

Could you explain what aspects of the game need to 'step up'?

I'm disappointed with the answers. I just read the Introduction of Daeva, and I expected them to be much more than what they are. The Introduction describes them as being viewed as demi-gods from ordinary people. Is it too wrong for me to assume that a Daeva will be better than a seasoned warrior? The Introduction also said that Daeva get to control aether, which makes everything they do more powerful. If this is the case, how come the Daeva sound so week or equal to grounded fighters. Then there's the whole timer thing on flying. If you're some ascended Daeva, what sense does it make to make them so weak at flying? Either you can fly, or you can't. Don't put restraints on flying that don't have to be there. Give Daeva a lot more credit and endurance than 1-5 min.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

1 minute of flight time?  Come on that is absurdly short.  Even 5 minutes at the top end means flight is an after thought in this game. 

Even Wow players are going to have a huge laugh at this. 

All I can say is the rest of the game needs to step up as flight won't pull people in as it is designed.

There are also ways to extend your flight time. I can't remember the exact details, but it is doable.

There are potions, foods, and buffs that can extend your flight time and also as you level and get better wings your flight time is extended too.

Originally posted by nate1980

I'm disappointed with the answers. I just read the Introduction of Daeva, and I expected them to be much more than what they are. The Introduction describes them as being viewed as demi-gods from ordinary people. Is it too wrong for me to assume that a Daeva will be better than a seasoned warrior? The Introduction also said that Daeva get to control aether, which makes everything they do more powerful. If this is the case, how come the Daeva sound so week or equal to grounded fighters. Then there's the whole timer thing on flying. If you're some ascended Daeva, what sense does it make to make them so weak at flying? Either you can fly, or you can't. Don't put restraints on flying that don't have to be there. Give Daeva a lot more credit and endurance than 1-5 min.

The only grounded people are the characters below level 10.

 there are rings in the air that can extend your flight time, updrafts ect.     On long flights there may be a path of updrafts and things to help you get where you going and allow you to stay in the air a indeterminable ammount of time.   But won't be easily as exploited as say a flying mount where you can just hover a mile above the surface as long as you want where people can't attack you.

This will make it require thought on how to best use your ability and those who know the lay of the land will be able to survive longer than those who don't.  

Originally posted by nate1980

I'm disappointed with the answers. I just read the Introduction of Daeva, and I expected them to be much more than what they are. The Introduction describes them as being viewed as demi-gods from ordinary people. Is it too wrong for me to assume that a Daeva will be better than a seasoned warrior? The Introduction also said that Daeva get to control aether, which makes everything they do more powerful. If this is the case, how come the Daeva sound so week or equal to grounded fighters. Then there's the whole timer thing on flying. If you're some ascended Daeva, what sense does it make to make them so weak at flying? Either you can fly, or you can't. Don't put restraints on flying that don't have to be there. Give Daeva a lot more credit and endurance than 1-5 min.

Ok, try playing the game as a gladiator/templar/assassin/chanter against a sorc and don't fly or use your pull down ability. See how long you last for the 1 to 5 mins.  I would be surprised if you last the 1 min.

There is alot of equipment that will increase your Flight Time but ofc your sacrificing other stats for flight time, i like the one minute it means you really need to think of what your next step is going to be, flight can be your doing or undoing, in my aether farming gear (yes farming aether is risky business :P) I have 1min and 46 seconds of flight and thats alot already. Keeping the flight time low means it will stay special rather than being a  flying mount where by the end of the day everyone would be just flying around.

Flight just simply diminishes the need for mounts in my opinion. There is more to the game than just being able to fly.

I actually love the limitation to flying. If you can't see how that adds some additional excitement and challenges in certain situations I'm afraid you're a lost cause. It is also realistic in that it would take huge amounts of energy to stay airborn.

p.s.

"Once you earn your wings the game really takes off."

Originally posted by Ozmodan

1 minute of flight time?  Come on that is absurdly short.  Even 5 minutes at the top end means flight is an after thought in this game. 

Even Wow players are going to have a huge laugh at this. 

All I can say is the rest of the game needs to step up as flight won't pull people in as it is designed.

Sigh, yeah I think the same. People from modern MMOs will find this puzzling. And hearing 3-4 min is maxed in high levels is absurd. Kinda disappointing. I thought it would be somewhat like the CoH flight. :/

Originally posted by SaintViktor

Flight just simply diminishes the need for mounts in my opinion. There is more to the game than just being able to fly.

Why does every game have to have mounts?

I constantly see people asking for something different and when a game company gives something different it then becomes "well, no, something else..."

Personally I would like more flight time but then again, I completely understand the need to balance it.

But here we have a world that is different from many of the worlds we have been given. And there are some places you can fly more and some less.

But it adds the idea of choice to the player. Flying is not something to take for granted but something to be planned in its usage. That to me gives it more weight and more meaning.

And to me, that's a good thing.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by SaintViktor

Flight just simply diminishes the need for mounts in my opinion. There is more to the game than just being able to fly.

 

Why does every game have to have mounts?

I constantly see people asking for something different and when a game company gives something different it then becomes "well, no, something else..."

Personally I would like more flight time but then again, I completely understand the need to balance it.

But here we have a world that is different from many of the worlds we have been given. And there are some places you can fly more and some less.

But it adds the idea of choice to the player. Flying is not something to take for granted but something to be planned in its usage. That to me gives it more weight and more meaning.

And to me, that's a good thing.

You can add more flight time by gear according to some of the posts here.

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by Ozmodan

1 minute of flight time?  Come on that is absurdly short.  Even 5 minutes at the top end means flight is an after thought in this game. 

Even Wow players are going to have a huge laugh at this. 

All I can say is the rest of the game needs to step up as flight won't pull people in as it is designed.

There are also ways to extend your flight time. I can't remember the exact details, but it is doable.

I was just going by what the article said which was up to 5 minutes flight time.  Basically that is a blink of the eye when it comes to playing a MMO.   Just very disappointed they made this feature so limited.  Of course if you can eventually extend it a lot beyond 5 minutes at later stages then sure, we can make do at lower levels.

As to stepping up, they need to make other features much better than the average MMO to compensate.  Many of us have been looking forward to the flght feature.  We have basically been spoiled by flight in other MMO's and just don't understand why it is so limited in this game.

Originally posted by SaintViktor

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by SaintViktor

Flight just simply diminishes the need for mounts in my opinion. There is more to the game than just being able to fly.

 

Why does every game have to have mounts?

I constantly see people asking for something different and when a game company gives something different it then becomes "well, no, something else..."

Personally I would like more flight time but then again, I completely understand the need to balance it.

But here we have a world that is different from many of the worlds we have been given. And there are some places you can fly more and some less.

But it adds the idea of choice to the player. Flying is not something to take for granted but something to be planned in its usage. That to me gives it more weight and more meaning.

And to me, that's a good thing.

 

You can add more flight time by gear according to some of the posts here.

That's true. I also believe there are areas (abyss?) where players have significant amount of flight time added.

Quite frankly, I think part of the reason it's limited is certain places is that players were never intended to have a lot free flight. It was only supposed to be a mode of transportation from place to place and then limited to get up ledges and the like. Then players started expressing that they wanted more flight and more places to fly. So NC took that into its development plan.

Guildies of mine that have played/are playing the game either on the chinese or korean servers really have no complaints about the flying system.  They say it works and make battle much more interesting.  Plus, if you watch the videos, it seems like people incorporate flying in all sorts of situations that lead to a twist on normal gameplay, specifically pvp.

I actually like the idea of having to think about what I do before doing it.  I have no need for hovering up in the air and going afk.  I will decide after I try the game whether the flight mechanics work or not.

Originally posted by Stradden

MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh had the opportunity to ask the Aion developers a few questions about the Daeva and flight in this exclusive interview.

MMORPG.com:

Is earning your wings or becoming Daeva something like a rite of passage?

Aion:

Becoming a Daeva is something every child of Atreia dreams of. Ascension can be sparked by a traumatic event, or might happen in a moment of dire need; no one is sure exactly how or why it occurs. However, once it happens you realize you were meant for something greater.

Read the Daeva Interview

What class is that one in Picture ???

looks like an assassin

Originally posted by Ozmodan

As to stepping up, they need to make other features much better than the average MMO to compensate.  Many of us have been looking forward to the flght feature. 

It's not a game about flight - that is just one of the aspects of the game. If you are looking for a flying game, you're probably going to be disappointed here. It's a great feature and very well done, but it's not the focus of the game.

We have basically been spoiled by flight in other MMO's and just don't understand why it is so limited in this game.

Have you played this game? There is more to the flight in this MMO than in most other MMOs. Actually, I'm very curious what are all these other MMOs that have 'spoiled' players with their extensive flight features. 

Imo the 1 min is even to long ^^

Flying is a strategic aspect you can use limited and should not be hold for granted :)

Originally posted by Haradeas

Imo the 1 min is even to long ^^

 

Flying is a strategic aspect you can use limited and should not be hold for granted :)

1 minute doesnt seem too long, neither does 3-4 minutes at high levels.

 I do agree it is a great strategic aspect. Sounds like people just seem to feel this should be some permanent flying mount, which I would hate to see.

1 minute really is a good start to flying though. Since there are updrafts, potions, etc and such, there are plenty of ways to increase that time. Even as early as level 11 you get such items. Besides flying, Gliding is also a strategic way of flying that limits your altitude but does'nt use as much time ;). If the flight time were any longer, the game would'nt seem as interesting imo. There have to be consequences considering you are practically being given the ability to fly at such an early level :P