Originally posted by mike470

Originally posted by Ayase

I suggest that everyone in this thread who haven't already, head over to my blog where I talk about the Aion Preview Events we will be holding.

 

Thanks.   I can't wait to learn more.  This is really the 'do or die' moment for my (and possiby others) thoughts about buying the game or not. 

 

You are definitely not alone. Being able to try the game prior to launch is important to many. Just ignoring that fact is not an option for us, which is a part of why we're holding these events. :)

Originally posted by SgtFrog

no eu/na beta testing

http://eu.aiononline.com/en/news/article/the_aion_faq_has_been_updated

why test what has already been tested?

Originally posted by ronan32

Originally posted by SgtFrog

no eu/na beta testing

http://eu.aiononline.com/en/news/article/the_aion_faq_has_been_updated

 

why test what has already been tested?

Reinforcement in finding any bugs, making sure the translations are good to go, advertising the game to a wider spectrum of gamers.

There are many reasons they should consider beta testing for NA/EU.  Just because they were burned with the L2 beta doesn't mean they should be gun shy about having a beta for NA/EU.

Originally posted by Bladin

I don't really have any feelings one way or another but.  Let me ask the forums this.

Why is it that fans think it's a good thing for people to not play their game.

I see with every upcoming mmo "Ha at least we won't have wow gamers in this game".  Isn't that a... bad thing.  Games die without players... look at AA for example.

For me it's a question of not jumping to conclusions based on very little news that get thrown at us. We asked for bones and we get them, then we go on rants on what may or may not be without actually being sure of what will. I'm fairly optimistic by nature and so it's in direct contradiction when I see people posting :

"We don't get to see the game before it launches?"

When in fact nothing of the sort was actually said. ^_^  Please read with your full attention people, that's all. And bookmark Ayase's blog.

I dont think they have anything to hide or any problems with the game at all but I think this isnt the best move to make with WAR coming out soon and the next WoW expansion in the near future.

Aion isnt well known, it has huge potential but the advertising seem to lack. At least 1 or 2 weeks open beta period is needed to get more hype and publicity in EU and NA.

Word spreads out fast if more people can get to try the game and start talking/posting positive things about it.

Being open out there shows more confidence also.

We read alot about Korean beta and watch videos and stuff but let people try the game or the competition wont even get scratched.

well, I dont know about that Daemon, think that with a completely open beta, some people who want this game to fail will log in just to find a thing they dislike and post it in every forum making drama out of that. Example, a quest asks you to kill 3 pigs, and then the guy comes here saying that the game is just another korean grinder.

With this way, they are most likely sure that everyone who tries the game before the release are the ones with an open mind about it, which might end up better for the word of mouth player made advertisement.

I always try to check out why do people do certain things, and that's what I came up with, must admit I have been thinking 2 days tho, this was a kinda hard one.

Originally posted by Hoplites

Originally posted by ronan32

Originally posted by SgtFrog

no eu/na beta testing

http://eu.aiononline.com/en/news/article/the_aion_faq_has_been_updated

 

why test what has already been tested?

 

Reinforcement in finding any bugs, making sure the translations are good to go, advertising the game to a wider spectrum of gamers.

There are many reasons they should consider beta testing for NA/EU.  Just because they were burned with the L2 beta doesn't mean they should be gun shy about having a beta for NA/EU.

That's exactly the role that our Preview Events will fill. They will help us to get ready for start, make a final check on localization and gather certain feedback. We feel that we can best facilitate these needs, as well as your wish to try the game before launch, by hosting these events. :)

There still seem to several fundamental misconceptions on the matter - So please check my blog post on the matter if you haven't already:

http://eu.aiononline.com/en/community/article/ayase_solves_the_mystery_of_the_preview_events

Originally posted by daemon

I dont think they have anything to hide or any problems with the game at all but I think this isnt the best move to make with WAR coming out soon and the next WoW expansion in the near future.

Aion isnt well known, it has huge potential but the advertising seem to lack. At least 1 or 2 weeks open beta period is needed to get more hype and publicity in EU and NA.

Word spreads out fast if more people can get to try the game and start talking/posting positive things about it.

Being open out there shows more confidence also.

We read alot about Korean beta and watch videos and stuff but let people try the game or the competition wont even get scratched.

I agree whit you.

Originally posted by Ephimero

well, I dont know about that Daemon, think that with a completely open beta, some people who want this game to fail will log in just to find a thing they dislike and post it in every forum making drama out of that. Example, a quest asks you to kill 3 pigs, and then the guy comes here saying that the game is just another korean grinder.

With this way, they are most likely sure that everyone who tries the game before the release are the ones with an open mind about it, which might end up better for the word of mouth player made advertisement.

 

I always try to check out why do people do certain things, and that's what I came up with, must admit I have been thinking 2 days tho, this was a kinda hard one.

Well that is what a game company most prepard for do you really think that ncsoft is the only one ho get this kind of ppl all game company out there must face that.

Someone brought on WAR.... Excuse me but with all their marketing way ahead of time what have they accomplished? They've had to announce cutbacks on anticipated content, would it have been better if the community had had only vague information about this, rather then promises that will be added post launch and many of your fans freaking out over it? Honesty I hope they launch in the fall as slated (?) So I can see the drama unfold. Though I'd be happier if they had a smooth launch just because we NEED a good launch.

Originally posted by Waterlily

Originally posted by Cynthe

Why this a surprise is still a mystery to me. They've first told us there were for sure to be some sort of testing  but gave no specifics, it's clear NCsoft was concentrating on the Korean betas and only entertained the notion of an english beta... What we are getting are ways to preview the game and a hint that there will be a stress test.. In other words an OP for us, or a preview event for everyone or something like that...

I don't find that depressing.. ? Feel free to convince me otherwise. ^_^

Games need trials and beta or otherwise the company has something to hide.

Almost all games have free beta nowadays.

Please stop with the childish conspiracy theories. No seriously, just stop.

They have nothing to "hide". The game has already been beta testing in Korea for quite a long time and they have been very open about it, no NDA whatsoever.
Why does it need to have a beta test here again? The only thing thats different is the language, you dont need a beta test for that.

The cold hard fact of the matter is that NCsoft does NOT owe you a beta test as you haven't paid them a penny for it. Let me remind you that a beta test is not a free trial.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Waterlily

Originally posted by Cynthe

Why this a surprise is still a mystery to me. They've first told us there were for sure to be some sort of testing  but gave no specifics, it's clear NCsoft was concentrating on the Korean betas and only entertained the notion of an english beta... What we are getting are ways to preview the game and a hint that there will be a stress test.. In other words an OP for us, or a preview event for everyone or something like that...

I don't find that depressing.. ? Feel free to convince me otherwise. ^_^

Games need trials and beta or otherwise the company has something to hide.

Almost all games have free beta nowadays.

 

Please stop with the childish conspiracy theories. No seriously, just stop.

They have nothing to "hide". The game has already been beta testing in Korea for quite a long time and they have been very open about it, no NDA whatsoever.
Why does it need to have a beta test here again? The only thing thats different is the language, you dont need a beta test for that.

The cold hard fact of the matter is that NCsoft does NOT owe you a beta test as you haven't paid them a penny for it. Let me remind you that a beta test is not a free trial.

I agree with you on this, and for people who say that you need an beta to get word around about the game.. come on seriously? Looking at site stats alone there are 886,876 members to this site. At least 100,000 of them know of Aion, and out of those people all that like what they see I am sure they will spread the word onto others.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Waterlily

Originally posted by Cynthe

Why this a surprise is still a mystery to me. They've first told us there were for sure to be some sort of testing  but gave no specifics, it's clear NCsoft was concentrating on the Korean betas and only entertained the notion of an english beta... What we are getting are ways to preview the game and a hint that there will be a stress test.. In other words an OP for us, or a preview event for everyone or something like that...

I don't find that depressing.. ? Feel free to convince me otherwise. ^_^

Games need trials and beta or otherwise the company has something to hide.

Almost all games have free beta nowadays.

 

Please stop with the childish conspiracy theories. No seriously, just stop.

They have nothing to "hide". The game has already been beta testing in Korea for quite a long time and they have been very open about it, no NDA whatsoever.
Why does it need to have a beta test here again? The only thing thats different is the language, you dont need a beta test for that.

The cold hard fact of the matter is that NCsoft does NOT owe you a beta test as you haven't paid them a penny for it. Let me remind you that a beta test is not a free trial.

Yeah, as if we can trust Korean players feedback on the game, they all love grindgames and think it's fun.  For god sakes, remember the Korean guys that died from playing those crappy games nonstop and never eating or taking a piss/shit? 

WoW is gonna kill this game anyway, sorry but it's the truth. 

Originally posted by ShinJezus

Yeah, as if we can trust Korean players feedback on the game, they all love grindgames and think it's fun. 

How many koreans do you know?What makes you think that the Korean players had any kind of insight, excepting in bug reporting? Have you followed the beta reports at all?

For god sakes, remember the Korean guys that died from playing those crappy games nonstop and never eating or taking a piss/shit? 

 Yes, I also remember a girl selling her body for an epic mount, an american pair who stopped feeding their baby cause of MMORPGs, etc, etc. Your point being?

WoW is gonna kill this game anyway, sorry but it's the truth. 

The only think wow can kill is brain cells.

 Further clarifications from Ayase in aionsource.com

Is there going to be an "Open Beta"?
We won't have anything that goes by the specific name 'Open Beta' in the EU/US, but the Preview Events we are to hold next year will allow you to play the game (from home) and help us prepare for launch as well as give feedback. The game has been going through a good amount of testing already, and that in combination with the Preview Events and other future tests will ensure that Aion is a good and solid product by launch.

How will we select participants for the Preview Events?
We will be selecting players in several different ways. This is something we're looking into right now. GC2008 and PAX will be the first chances to secure slots. But there will be plenty of other ways yet to be announced. Once we are ready to expand on our plans we may also be able to give you more information on the scale of the events.

What countries or languages are the Preview Events going to be in?
The Preview Events will be available to players from the territories we support at NCE and NCA. English will definitely be supported, but I can't say yet whether French and German will also be in there.

If there is no beta, how will NA/EU players be able to have any input in the game?
As is the nature of most MMO's, development is perpetual, meaning that the importance of feedback does not stand or fall with the limited time period of 'beta testing' - a facility used to discover glitches and bugs in preparation for release. Development is ongoing and feedback will accordingly be required on an ongoing basis. The Preview Events are an excellent opportunity for us to ask for this community feedback on parts of the game and major issues, and they will also help us to stress test the servers and otherwise prepare for release day.

We know what the game is good for and can't wait to show it off to a broader audience with the help of the Preview Events. We're working frenetically to get the game entirely ready for this and as I've said before - it's a bumpy road we're travelling. It takes some time to get there. Just as Rome wasn't built over a night, neither are the preparations we are going through right now. What you can count on for sure, however, is that we will keep informing you whenever we have new things to report or if something for some reason would take a turn. That's why we're here and that's why we'll remain here.

Originally posted by Cynthe

Someone brought on WAR.... Excuse me but with all their marketing way ahead of time what have they accomplished? They've had to announce cutbacks on anticipated content, would it have been better if the community had had only vague information about this, rather then promises that will be added post launch and many of your fans freaking out over it? Honesty I hope they launch in the fall as slated (?) So I can see the drama unfold. Though I'd be happier if they had a smooth launch just because we NEED a good launch.

Despite all that more players know about WAR than Aion.  The adevertising campaign hasn't been in full throttle for Aion yet.

Ayase I am looking foward to the preview events but I am still unsure about how extensive they will be given a one week beta or even a month of beta is a vast amount of time that may not be able to be replicated by preview events at gaming conventions.

Notice that those preview events will be at your home, not in games conventions. It will work like when this site provides free trials.

Originally posted by Hoplites

Despite all that more players know about WAR than Aion.  The advertising campaign hasn't been in full throttle for Aion yet.

Despite all that more people would know about WAR regardless, I mean it's Warhammer.... While Aion is made by a company largely regarded as grind loving.. Which one is a tougher sell from the get go?

Should that mean Aion deserves more marketing? No it means it deserves to right amount of marketing just before launch. Let it be seen everywhere and then hit them with it. If the game is as good as I think it will sell and people will play it more and more because its proven to be a good game, unlike the hype monsters we've had who've known months of fail post after fail post by disillusioned customers in official forums..

Of course I could be horribly wrong. :)

Ummmmm......wasn't this game already beta tested in Korea? The only testing they'd need to do would be related to translation of the US/EU client and that IMHO can be done without a massive open beta ( free to play session ). As for US/EU players having input into the game well that is not done via an "Open Beta". An "Open Beta" is nothing more then a marketing event and stress test for servers. I have never seen a "Open Beta" where devs have changed their game in any meaningful way because of the suggestions of "Open Beta" players. In fact by the time a game reaches a "Open Beta" state it is pretty much going to play the same way as it would during it's launch period. The most input achieved by players usually comes before or after the "Open Beta" period.

Originally posted by ShinJezus

Yeah, as if we can trust Korean players feedback on the game, they all love grindgames and think it's fun.  For god sakes, remember the Korean guys that died from playing those crappy games nonstop and never eating or taking a piss/shit? 

 

WoW is gonna kill this game anyway, sorry but it's the truth. 

sigh.

first off you need to read the closed beta info from the beta players in korea. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Secondly, there have been players in wow who have died from not eating or taking care of themselves.

Thirdly, WoW will not "kill" anything. It is very much a force unto itself and exists slightly outside all of these games. By your remark, WoW should be killing many more games, especially many of the older games with smaller pops. But the reality is that they are still there.

WoW is a cultural phenomenom and because of this has an appeal that transcends regular online games. People need to understand that.

Having said that, I truly believe Aion will be a niche game becuase it's subject seems a bit to detached from what "regular" players might be able to relate to. Not that it will fail. Hardly so. But I can see more players going to games like Warhammer than Aion.

Also, keep in mind this is the only game that i am waiting for. I have absolutely no intention of playing any of the other new games coming up and if Aion delivers whtat I want then I will quit my main game. And even in that light I still think it will be a niche game.

you want closed beta or open beta aion you get a korean account...

NA/EU NCsoft their job is only translation, and fix minor bugs created by translation, they can stress test servers with bots, so if they dont put a beta on NA/EU thats becuz the client will be already delt with in korea, not that they want to hide a failure....