Its important to note the kind of changes offered here with  these microtransactions  dont  effect game play.  All this stuff is cosmetic only even though Aion is very cosmetic in nature it doesnt hurt game balance.

Also those of us who were with Aion for beta and game launch [if people were paying attention] knew about these earlier than December. 

I'm sad anytime an MMO embraces the evil of microtransactions, usually I jump on said games forums, make sure I register my utter disgust at the decision swiftly followed by a cancelation of my account, in this case it would be difficult because I'd already cancelled my Aion account due to the game not being my cup of tea anyway, but I'm sad for those still left playing.

Of course at the moment it seems to be the usual 'out of game' stuff, which I don't mind so much, but it tends to be a slippery slope. I wonder what odds I'd get on them introducing a 'pet store' within the next 12 months ?

it seems every game i play nowadays is trying to rip people off for more money.  from WOW to Sims 3, if you want the extras you have to pay for them.  even faCEBOOK  games are part of the rip offs.

don't game companies understand that we are in a serious recession?  they should consider themselves lucky that we are investing in the game.  I am starting to drop games that want money for basic things.  runes of magic is gone , conan is gone, sims 3 is gone.  so folks want me to play your game?  No frigging hidden charges please.

Originally posted by Justarius1

Originally posted by jotull

Any time I have a desire to try Aion, I just drop by the forums and read the racist, homophobic , and sexist crap that NCsoft not only permits but encourages and that brings me right back to reality.

 

What racist or homophobic actions have NCSoft taken by allowing a cash shop?  I hate the idea of the cash shop, hate hate hate them.  I want to pay a monthly fee and be done with it.

But racist or homophobic?  How?

LoL I will be the first to admit that Jotull is mostly a Troll, but in this case he is right...I mean have you ever actually read the forums? Heck read the in game chat the mods were flooded by complants when that guild was doing open pedo RP, and the Mods basically said it was Ok. It's Okay because the mods are really to lazy to care, this is Koreas game not the rest of the worlds...their audience matters ours don't unless it's to squeeze cash out of via a Item shop.
 

And anyone that says the game is flourishing in the west really needs to stop exaggerating, last few times I was on Ghost town, saved for a few kids seeing how much outrageous profanity they could spam in chat…oh and the bots of course still plenty of them.
 

"The biggest changes coming to Aion in early 2010 will be the addition of paid account services, such as plastic surgery, name changes, Legion name changes, and even gender changes. Pricing for the aforementioned services will be revealed sometime in February."

/sarcasm on

Thats quite a surprise now , isn't it? :)

/sarcasm off

I'm surprised it's taking so long for NCSoft-West. The thing is, these features are already ingame. They just need to give you the tickets for it.

Looks like the winter event will be really shallow, with just some XP weekends, some poor decorations, and a piano at the city.