Well so far I've kept Aion at arms length due to my fear it may get addicted to it like I did WoW couple years ago.

Bottom line is I am going into Gr.12 with a full Academic course load and I want a game I can log on for 1 hour here and there after some homework or something.    I haven't read up about All of Aions content but I feel its a game that can entertain me but I am just worried how much time is needed to commit to do things in game, say PvP group, idk, Quest, End Game, etc.

I never got around to trying the beta, probably should have thinking about it now, but as they say save best for last.

And what I really mean by if I can be played casually as nearly anygame can; is that if I were to play it casually I could actually still make a dent in the content and feel satisfied by the end of the day.

In my opinion yes theres plenty of solo content and endgame is PVP of which there always pick up groups just so your going in there with a group and not alone.

theres nothing with the exception of raids that can't be done in a hr or 2.

Well sounds as I thought, *good*

I guess the last thing is just to play it at release.

Honestly its to early to tell right now. So much endgame is tied to controlling property such as raids and dungeons that are only available to those who control it. I am thinking its not gonna be fore the ultra casual as you will want to participate in endgame at some point and only the uber guilds will be able to. The NPC faction is supposed to create balance but in the end as with most things numbers will matter. But there is enough to keep you busy for a few months if nothing endgame interests you.

Yes and at higher lvl's when you start getting ganked, I will pay school yard bully's to take there lunch money and call them names. I swear, cross my fingers and give the cub scout salute.

Jihad works both ways

Realistically any MMO can be played casually just pick it up and play whenever you want ... its pretty easy to make friends and get your quests done ... only reason MMO's aren't really played casually is the "addiction factor" kicks in where you wanna complete quests and keep lvlin up :P

But I'm sure if your in control you can just pick up and play whenever u want thats probably the best way ... having friends that play won't help either as they will wanna have u level up with them especially if your a healer or tank

Originally posted by Signore

Well so far I've kept Aion at arms length due to my fear it may get addicted to it like I did WoW couple years ago.

Bottom line is I am going into Gr.12 with a full Academic course load and I want a game I can log on for 1 hour here and there after some homework or something.    I haven't read up about All of Aions content but I feel its a game that can entertain me but I am just worried how much time is needed to commit to do things in game, say PvP group, idk, Quest, End Game, etc.

I never got around to trying the beta, probably should have thinking about it now, but as they say save best for last.

And what I really mean by if I can be played casually as nearly anygame can; is that if I were to play it casually I could actually still make a dent in the content and feel satisfied by the end of the day.

I think it can be played casually as long as you don't expect to be at the same level in gear and, er, "levels" as many other people. However, it's not lineage 2 where you would fall woefully behind.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Signore

Well so far I've kept Aion at arms length due to my fear it may get addicted to it like I did WoW couple years ago.

Bottom line is I am going into Gr.12 with a full Academic course load and I want a game I can log on for 1 hour here and there after some homework or something.    I haven't read up about All of Aions content but I feel its a game that can entertain me but I am just worried how much time is needed to commit to do things in game, say PvP group, idk, Quest, End Game, etc.

I never got around to trying the beta, probably should have thinking about it now, but as they say save best for last.

And what I really mean by if I can be played casually as nearly anygame can; is that if I were to play it casually I could actually still make a dent in the content and feel satisfied by the end of the day.

 

I think it can be played casually as long as you don't expect to be at the same level in gear and, er, "levels" as many other people. However, it's not lineage 2 where you would fall woefully behind.

My impression as well... that said, it would be hard IMO to play 5 hours a week in Aion. Personally to keep the excitement I think you need to spend 10+ .. not a rule by any stretch but if you want to feel accomplished as you go thats' what I'd recommend

Im semi casual... but this game may turn the tides slightly because its the first MMO I've enjoyed this much in a very long time

Good luck in your decision

I made it to 26 and decided to stop leveling.  The cap was 30, but there was so much to explore and experience that I gave up the grind.  I didn't feel pressured in the least to keep going to 30.  26 was adequate to stop and smell the flowers.

What I'm saying is you can get even more enjoyment out of taking your time and exploring all of the available areas and their different feels.  Killing players at 26 is going to be about the same as killing players at 50.  As long as there are other people to play with below the cap, what's the rush?

I pity the fool that has to be 50 at release.  They're the one's that burn out on a world they never got to experience and call it a senseless grind.  That's because they skip all the non-grind parts!  

Originally posted by GoldenDog

I pity the fool that has to be 50 at release.  They're the one's that burn out on a world they never got to experience and call it a senseless grind.  That's because they skip all the non-grind parts!  

   The thing is those fools will be running rampant killing low levels and there won't be enough people high enough for the "anti-ganking" system to be effective. That's the way it is in all MMO's, however, so I'm not expecting any less.

i can't play a game casually :P 

I guess im just the kinda guy the MMO devs wants to play their games lol, i get sucked in 'n i can't get out...

But after a while i see how stupid it is, to spend all that time on computer, and then i quit gaming for a good while.. Then when RL is going well i start by playing a little bit, and control it well....

AND BAAM!!! PULLED THE F*CK BACK IN!!!

it's like crack!

I need help ^^ lol!

This game would probably be a great casual game. It is really easy to pick up where you left off, and can quickly get back in "rithum" with the game. Another thing is it actualy tells you when you've been playing for 1 hour, or two hours, and so on, wich really helps so that you meen to only play an hour and end up playing 10. (has actually hapend to me once before O.O)

Anyway this game would most likely make a great game to play casually.

Originally posted by //\\//\\oo

 

   The thing is those fools will be running rampant killing low levels and there won't be enough people high enough for the "anti-ganking" system to be effective.

That's when you go to the non Rift, non PvP islands like Theobos...  Experience the content there and let the grinding gankers fly around the abyss for hours on end only to find one kill -.^

i played to 30 in the closed betas, and it wasnt much of a grind fest until the end. im going to be in 10th grade during release, and im not too worried about time. given 15 hours a week (which should be pretty easy to pull off), u can hit 30 in 2 weeks. and 30 is high level enough to do most of what aion has to offer.

Originally posted by GoldenDog

Originally posted by //\\//\\oo

 

   The thing is those fools will be running rampant killing low levels and there won't be enough people high enough for the "anti-ganking" system to be effective.

 

That's when you go to the non Rift, non PvP islands like Theobos...  Experience the content there and let the grinding gankers fly around the abyss for hours on end only to find one kill -.^

erm i played to 30, and the abyss is probably the most enjoyable place to play. theres constant ganking so u have to be aware of ur surroundings. and u have to know how to respond when an assassin pops out behind u. its really more.. dangerous. not to mention the balaur give more exp than normal mobs...

 Casually?

The game is a total grind even for hardcore players.

No you are not allowed to play this game casually. If you log on and attempt to leave before at least 5 hours have passed then the game will reset your character to the way it was when when you first logged in. You MUST take this game very very seriously and be very commited. Only people who believe that being a "gamer" is important and worthy or respect are able to make any progress. No slackers allowed.

Of course you can play it casually. Its a computer game.

I, too am a bit worried about this game.  It took TBC to break my addiction to WoW and I'm not sure I want to return to the days on the crazy train.  I love this game, but it is extremely addictive just like vanilla was when it came out.

Because of the PvP aspect, it seems like this game is going to make being available even more important.  Think the green dragons popping in WoW.  If there is a huge raid or gankfest by the other side, you'll want to be on.

bye bye life, I guess.  :(

Originally posted by Netzoko

 Casually?

The game is a total grind even for hardcore players.

Ever play a game with zero quests, an unreachable level cap, maybe 6 types of mobs, a monthly subscription, free for all pvp system, 3-6 hour boss fights, and enjoy'd it?

...I have.

And I'll tell you what Aion isn't: Hardcore.  Maybe it could be when compared to Hello Kitty, but not in comparision to what people played back in 2004.

Originally posted by scodavis

I, too am a bit worried about this game.  It took TBC to break my addiction to WoW and I'm not sure I want to return to the days on the crazy train.  I love this game, but it is extremely addictive just like vanilla was when it came out.

 

Because of the PvP aspect, it seems like this game is going to make being available even more important.  Think the green dragons popping in WoW.  If there is a huge raid or gankfest by the other side, you'll want to be on.

 

bye bye life, I guess.  :(

 

 

looool! EXACTLY! :P

Originally posted by Netzoko

 Casually?

The game is a total grind even for hardcore players.

sigh. no.

The thing I always do to keep things in perspective is consider what else I could be doing with that time.  Actually the best way to do this is to look at a character you've previously played.  For instance, one of my toons in WoW was something like 3 months old (IG.)  Granted that's over four years, but depending on how much you play, that can be an incredible percentage of your time.  Now think about what you could have done in that time i.e. learn a new language, read dozens of books, teach yourself HTML or Flash, just hang out with friends, etc.

Do I still play MMO's too much occasionally?  Of course.  I spent close to 25 hours last weekend in the beta test, but I also haven't played an MMO in 5-6 months, so I really needed a fix!  Also, this is coming from someone who played Asheron's Call 50-60 hours a week in high school, which in some respects I rather regret, though I had a great time.

Not saying this will work for you, but perhaps it will help you keep certain aspects of your life in focus/perspective.

All that said, I see myself playing Aion about 15-20 hours a week.

Originally posted by Netzoko

 Casually?

The game is a total grind even for hardcore players.

You honestly dont know what your talking about....