MMORPG.com Writer Carolyn Koh took the time to drop by this year's E3 in California. Today, she brings us a report on NCsoft's Aion.

"No photos pleas," we were told, then reminded again as we sat down. This was NCSoft's 20 minute Aion presentation. Pronounced "Ion" not "A-on" we had Brian Knox, QA Lead speaking and Yong-Taek Bae, International Business Liaison running the demo. Aion is an original MMORPG developed in conjunction by both the Korea US studios of NCSoft. We got a glimpse of it at E3 2006 and the graphics were impressive - stunning even, but it was not far along enough to qualify for a vote as we were not sure if the movie shown was in-game footage or generated for marketing. What I saw was indeed beautiful.

The world of Aion resembles a globe that has been torn in half. The lower half is the world of the Elyos, a lush green world as it receives the benefit of sunlight. The upper half is the world of the Asmodians. Dark, cold and arid. In Eons past, the two halves were joined vertically by the Tower of Eternity and the Elyos and Asmodians were one people, but when the tower was destroyed in the 1000 year war, the factions turned on each other and blamed the other for its destruction. The PvP happens between the Dark (Asmodians) and the Light (Elyos). That is not to say Evil against Good, but we humans are simplistic creatures and that's what it will devolve to in most player's minds.

Read the whole report here.

I am really looking forward to this game. I hope i can get into closed BETA "crosses fingers"

I'm getting more pumped up with this new Aion update, it sure does look like a great game! The way we can customize our armour to what we like is really exciting and so are the unpredictable Balur. I can't wait at all! Thanks for the update.

Originally posted by Minato

I'm getting more pumped up with this new Aion update, it sure does look like a great game! The way we can customize our armour to what we like is really exciting and so are the unpredictable Balur. I can't wait at all! Thanks for the update.

You can also change your wing type as well.

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Minato

I'm getting more pumped up with this new Aion update, it sure does look like a great game! The way we can customize our armour to what we like is really exciting and so are the unpredictable Balur. I can't wait at all! Thanks for the update.

I agree, the customization is exactly what I've been asking for, for years!

 

You can also change your wing type as well.

If this is possible (having one black wing and one white one) i want one. Then again that would lend itself to people having some weird colors like people with rainbow wings lol.

recently saw a movie where a player flew through a group of giant looking dinosaurs that were drinking at a lake, man that looked impressive.

another thing was wen some mantis looking creature flew through the sky, now that's what i call atmosphere in an environment! :)

Originally posted by Rehmes

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Minato

I'm getting more pumped up with this new Aion update, it sure does look like a great game! The way we can customize our armour to what we like is really exciting and so are the unpredictable Balur. I can't wait at all! Thanks for the update.

I agree, the customization is exactly what I've been asking for, for years!

 

You can also change your wing type as well.

If this is possible (having one black wing and one white one) i want one. Then again that would lend itself to people having some weird colors like people with rainbow wings lol.

Well, not to that extent.  On another interview (I think it was posted on "Aionsource.com") they indicated you could switch your wing style. However it seems it is a certain "shape" of wing and a certain color.

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Rehmes

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Minato

I'm getting more pumped up with this new Aion update, it sure does look like a great game! The way we can customize our armour to what we like is really exciting and so are the unpredictable Balur. I can't wait at all! Thanks for the update.

I agree, the customization is exactly what I've been asking for, for years!

 

You can also change your wing type as well.

If this is possible (having one black wing and one white one) i want one. Then again that would lend itself to people having some weird colors like people with rainbow wings lol.

 

Well, not to that extent.  On another interview (I think it was posted on "Aionsource.com") they indicated you could switch your wing style. However it seems it is a certain "shape" of wing and a certain color.

Well i dont think  its farfetched that at some point you could change some minor coloring on the wings (not something like lime green, but perhaps some hint of blues/greens/reds/black/ etc). Something that would fit intot he world concept and not too disruptive. Either case i am eagerly awaiting this game.

Originally posted by Rehmes

 

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Rehmes

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Minato

I'm getting more pumped up with this new Aion update, it sure does look like a great game! The way we can customize our armour to what we like is really exciting and so are the unpredictable Balur. I can't wait at all! Thanks for the update.

I agree, the customization is exactly what I've been asking for, for years!

 

You can also change your wing type as well.

If this is possible (having one black wing and one white one) i want one. Then again that would lend itself to people having some weird colors like people with rainbow wings lol.

 

Well, not to that extent.  On another interview (I think it was posted on "Aionsource.com") they indicated you could switch your wing style. However it seems it is a certain "shape" of wing and a certain color.

 

Well i dont think  its farfetched that at some point you could change some minor coloring on the wings (not something like lime green, but perhaps some hint of blues/greens/reds/black/ etc). Something that would fit intot he world concept and not too disruptive. Either case i am eagerly awaiting this game.

Oh, I'm not saying that it's impossible. Just that from what has been shown so far, it has all been pretty uniform.

Another thing that I wanted to comment on that another poster in this thread mentioned was the "wild life' that seems evident in the world. Giant flying animals that just float through the sky. It's this level of detail that really has me excited. That, the flying the customization and the "Dark vs Light" (not evil vs good).

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

 

Another thing that I wanted to comment on that another poster in this thread mentioned was the "wild life' that seems evident in the world. Giant flying animals that just float through the sky. It's this level of detail that really has me excited. That, the flying the customization and the "Dark vs Light" (not evil vs good).

Yea, these are some of the key elements attracting people to the game, that and the flying abilities themselves, including aerial combat for PvE and PvP. I was really excited when they told about two of the flight specific abilties in another article, that allowed you to swoop down and strike an opponent on the ground, and to rocket into the sky to knock down a flying foe. I am really looking forward to this game because of these things.

Although the article is also right when saying a lot of people wont get the Dark vs. Light doesnt exaclty mean Evil vs. Good,  I can see a lot of people fighting about their side being better because they are the good guys, etc. Hopefully Aion will attract a more mature community than that.

I hope the game will be like guild wars, and you don't have to pay fees to play...

The most disappointing info from this is that there's a limit on how long flight lasts and that it has a long re-use timer.

I wonder if Carolyn can comment on how much time passed before the wings vanished?

At any rate, I'm still looking forward to Aion more so than other title at this time. I like that there are quests & cut scenes on the path to aquiring the character's wings, and the rest of the info was interesting. :-)

I'll take a wait & see approach with the A.I.

~Mysk

Originally posted by Mysk

The most disappointing info from this is that there's a limit on how long flight lasts and that it has a long re-use timer.

I wonder if Carolyn can comment on how much time passed before the wings vanished and the character fell?

At any rate, I'm still looking forward to Aion more so than other title at this time. I like that there are quests & cut scenes on the path to aquiring the character's wings, and the rest of the info was interesting. :-)

I'll take a wait & see approach with the A.I.

~Mysk

As for fees, this will most definitly have them, the platform is more similar to Lineage 2 than it is Guild Wars.

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Originally posted by Amy571

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Originally posted by Mysk

The most disappointing info from this is that there's a limit on how long flight lasts and that it has a long re-use timer.
I wonder if Carolyn can comment on how much time passed before the wings vanished and the character fell?
At any rate, I'm still looking forward to Aion more so than other title at this time. I like that there are quests & cut scenes on the path to aquiring the character's wings, and the rest of the info was interesting. :-)
I'll take a wait & see approach with the A.I.
~Mysk

---

That part about the timer disappointed me too, I think I read in a seperate article on gamespy that the wings stay out approximately 1 minute for now. There was also the hint at area restrictions in that same article, which again shocked and kind of hurt.
 
As for fees, this will most definitly have them, the platform is more similar to Lineage 2 than it is Guild Wars.

---

Yeouch, this is starting to sound ridiculously restrictive. A one minute time limit, a long re-use timer, and no-fly zones, and all of this after having to go on a long quest to obtain the wings to begin with.

I was aware of the no-fly zones (something about flight being on set paths ala WoW grifs in those areas). That seemed reasonable at the time because I wasn't aware that they were... apparently... restricting flight so heavily.

It seems irrational to me to add flight to a game and then go to such lengths to prevent it.

hmph.. this isn't pleasant news at all.

~Mysk

Originally posted by Mysk

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Originally posted by Amy571

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Originally posted by Mysk

The most disappointing info from this is that there's a limit on how long flight lasts and that it has a long re-use timer.
I wonder if Carolyn can comment on how much time passed before the wings vanished and the character fell?
At any rate, I'm still looking forward to Aion more so than other title at this time. I like that there are quests & cut scenes on the path to aquiring the character's wings, and the rest of the info was interesting. :-)
I'll take a wait & see approach with the A.I.
~Mysk

---

That part about the timer disappointed me too, I think I read in a seperate article on gamespy that the wings stay out approximately 1 minute for now. There was also the hint at area restrictions in that same article, which again shocked and kind of hurt.
 
As for fees, this will most definitly have them, the platform is more similar to Lineage 2 than it is Guild Wars.

---

Yeouch, this is starting to sound ridiculously restrictive. A one minute time limit, a long re-use timer, and no-fly zones, and all of this after having to go on a long quest to obtain the wings to begin with.

I was aware of the no-fly zones (something about flight being on set paths ala WoW grifs in those areas). That seemed reasonable at the time because I wasn't aware that they were... apparently... restricting flight so heavily.

It seems irrational to me to add flight to a game and then go to such lengths to prevent it.

hmph.. this isn't pleasant news at all.

~Mysk

After the novelty of flight wears off in the first week, then what?

There doesn't seem to be much of an actual Game to go with the tech demo called Aion.

Open beta in 2008. I was hoping for 2007 release. I don't think this game have shown enough content to justify a monthly fee.

Heavy flight restrictions seem like walking papers to me. BUt we'll see how it pans out

I have the Free version of Dark n Light...I like to play the offline Demo now and then and just Fly around....thats it, cuz the rest of the game kinda blows...but man, is flying hella fun.

When someone can do this, and make the rest of the game not suck...they will be getting my money, hand over fist.

Originally posted by Flummoxed

After the novelty of flight wears off in the first week, then what?

There doesn't seem to be much of an actual Game to go with the tech demo called Aion.

There is actually. There is plenty of info released about Aion, please do some research first before posting about a game.

Gawd, I'm just too excited after having read this news!

I'm hyped 200% Aion!

Originally posted by Nasa

Open beta in 2008. I was hoping for 2007 release. I don't think this game have shown enough content to justify a monthly fee.

But again, people are jumping the gun. remember, it's not even in closed beta yet. There are going to be all sorts of quests AND primarily, it seems to be a pvp game.

Now who knows where it lies in the spectrum but it does seem to have both. Howeer, I doubt it will be a completely "quest" game such as EQ 2 or LOTRO.

It will most likely be some sort of cousin to Lineage 2 in that it will have pvp and pvp goals but will have more quests, better customization and a lot less grind.

There are several places you can find more info.

www.aionsource.com

http://www.insideaion.vault.ign.com/

and of course:

http://eu.aiononline.com/en/home/

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Mysk

 

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Originally posted by Amy571

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Originally posted by Mysk

 

The most disappointing info from this is that there's a limit on how long flight lasts and that it has a long re-use timer.
I wonder if Carolyn can comment on how much time passed before the wings vanished and the character fell?
At any rate, I'm still looking forward to Aion more so than other title at this time. I like that there are quests & cut scenes on the path to aquiring the character's wings, and the rest of the info was interesting. :-)
I'll take a wait & see approach with the A.I.
~Mysk

---

That part about the timer disappointed me too, I think I read in a seperate article on gamespy that the wings stay out approximately 1 minute for now. There was also the hint at area restrictions in that same article, which again shocked and kind of hurt.
 
As for fees, this will most definitly have them, the platform is more similar to Lineage 2 than it is Guild Wars.

---

 

Yeouch, this is starting to sound ridiculously restrictive. A one minute time limit, a long re-use timer, and no-fly zones, and all of this after having to go on a long quest to obtain the wings to begin with.

I was aware of the no-fly zones (something about flight being on set paths ala WoW grifs in those areas). That seemed reasonable at the time because I wasn't aware that they were... apparently... restricting flight so heavily.

It seems irrational to me to add flight to a game and then go to such lengths to prevent it.

hmph.. this isn't pleasant news at all.

~Mysk

Ok guys, you are jumping the gun a bit. First of all it makes sense to have no fly areas, even from a story point of view. As well as a technical point of view. They still want people to walk and experience "ground" content. Also, though the reuse timers will be longer for flight, you don't know how long you can fly. and you don't really know what "longer" means. Longer could mean 1 minute. I feel that is "ok". In additon, remember, this game wasn't going to have any free flight at all. It was based around flight paths. It seems they have opened it up quite a bit. This is not flyff (or whatever). They need to take into account so many technical aspects that having restrictioins on flight not only makes sense it also adds to tactical decisions. And quite frankly, think of the annoying little kiddies who are going to spend their time buzzing around your heads "all the time". You will be wishful of flight restrictions then! In any case, a wait and see attitude needs to be taken. That's the problem with releasing any info on any game. Players get excited but players start becoming "nervous" and then all the bad press starts when there is nothing to be worried about. I'm sure it will be a fine game for us players who are attracted to this type of game.

I am not bashing it or anything , I am still quite excited about the game none the less. Just taken a back by this news. I think Its been about 1 year since I started following this game, and yes, since then, all i hadheard was "it will have revolutionary free flight never before seen!" from the devs, so I was really surprised when they came back and it was restricted, the WoW like set flying paths were for the Gstar and E3 demos last year only, they stated it was not intended to be part of the release. Timed flight isnt too bad, i understand that. Its the area restriction that has me wondering. HOW area restricted is what I am wanting to know. I can understand it being restricted in certain enclosed spaces like caves or maybe dense forests/jungles. And for how long you can fly, i got the 1 minute from an interview on gamespy with the game devs from this years E3, where they said at this point you can fly for up to 1 minute before the wings drop.

Again, Im not  saying it will suck or be terrible because of this at all, I am excited about the special flight only combat abilities it is supposed to have and the PvPvE. This game is still the main one I am looking forward to and I recommend it to anyone I can

Originally posted by Amy571

 

 

I am not bashing it or anything , I am still quite excited about the game none the less. Just taken a back by this news. I think Its been about 1 year since I started following this game, and yes, since then, all i hadheard was "it will have revolutionary free flight never before seen!" from the devs, so I was really surprised when they came back and it was restricted, the WoW like set flying paths were for the Gstar and E3 demos last year only, they stated it was not intended to be part of the release. Timed flight isnt too bad, i understand that. Its the area restriction that has me wondering. HOW area restricted is what I am wanting to know. I can understand it being restricted in certain enclosed spaces like caves or maybe dense forests/jungles. And for how long you can fly, i got the 1 minute from an interview on gamespy with the game devs from this years E3, where they said at this point you can fly for up to 1 minute before the wings drop.

 

Again, Im not  saying it will suck or be terrible because of this at all, I am excited about the special flight only combat abilities it is supposed to have and the PvPvE. This game is still the main one I am looking forward to and I recommend it to anyone I can

I just want all of us (myself included) to have all the correct info so that if the game is being hyped it is hyped for the right reasons and if it needs to be criticized then they are criticisms that are based on actual fact.

Too many overhyped games or rumors flying around the internet 

I'd like to mention a few things.

About the flight restriction issue - this may disappoint some, but think about it strategically. A flight restriction means that there is a greater level of timing involved. Spreading your wings too easy may cost you your life at the end of the battle. It's this whole new level of strategy that excites me.

Having a flight restriction also preserves the "unique" feel of having wings. What i mean is, the flight restrictions prevent flying becoming the "new way of walking". Flying would become a "normal" aspect of the game, and there isn't that special feel of flying anymore.

And finally, remember that there is still a long wait for Aion release. The next stage of Korean Closed Beta occurs in the next 2 weeks - so we there will be changes to the game. There's an awesome European community department that's listening to our concerns and the people in Korea are hearing them, so I'm certain that when open beta hits us, our voices will be heard as well.

The problems i see are the same as with all asian mmos. The weird click&point movement, and the boring combat.(and of course the grinding)

To be honest, since i have played mount&blade i cant even play the autoattack, tabtargeting, wasd movement mmos from US/Europe anymore.

It is nowadays possible to improve the combat from a technically view of point, and i think it is time to walk forward. I just hope that the few games which offers better combat/movement will be successful and a "real" improvement, so that it become more of a standard in the future of mmos, with even more improvements. Games like AoC, and others, will at least go in the right direction, even if it is just a little improvement in the case of AoC.

Aion = L2 no advancement at all, if it comes down to combat/movement.. ok, i know, they have an other playerbase, the internet cafe player, which tend to play just with one hand. ;) But, i really need more involvement, especially when combat/movement is 99% of the game. Sometimes i which the character controll would be even improve from a hardware point of view, the wii controlling is at least something new, but however, you can do a lot with mouse+keyboard, too.

So i guess i will pass Aion, maybe i give it a shot in the open beta.

PS: Well.. and i am an anime fan... so i would really like such a theme.