MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh traveled to PAX and got some hands on time with NCsoft's upcoming MMORPG, Aion. Today, she files this report.

Aion, one of the most anticipated MMOs of this year, launches on September 22nd and NCSoft was on hand at Penny Arcade Expo 2009 to give players a preview of the system, running the latest build, build 1.5. Even if some area maps were still in Korean, we were promised it would be completely localized by launch. Lani Blazier, Associate Producer at NCSoft West was on hand to show me the newest features that will all go live by launch.

We looked at the character creation screen which has two tabs. A basic tab which allowed players to select preset styles, and the advanced character customization which gave players slider bars to change many aspects of their face and body. 40 new default faces per faction were added for basic customization, as was the option to change eye color and in response to player feedback in beta, players will be able to change leg length to create some seriously short characters. There are no last names provided in Aion and no change of life name change at Ascension where player characters evolve to Daeva and gain their wings. Players may only use letters in their names. No numbers, spaces or any other keyboard characters. So characters with names like JonBob222 or A@s_h1te will not be running around in Aion.

Read the PAX Preview

Oh boy...this game is too much ridiculous. Can't believe that is one of the most awaited  games of the year. ¬¬

Originally posted by Maleus666

Oh boy...this game is too much ridiculous. Can't believe that is one of the most awaited  games of the year. ¬¬

i do agree it is quite radical and  is THE MOST Awaited , for one reason i have played closed and playing  open beta atm... this game is the utmost  UB3R L33T SAUCE since  "DAOC"   dark age of camelot may you rest in peace  !  our love and remeberence go with you  as for AION we are waiting at the doors of the STOREs with coffee and donuts on the 19th  to get the the game on the 20th at 10 am  ehheheh !

long live Asmodea

To quote the article:  "Players gain their wings quite early (level 10) and once they have their wings, are able to enter the Abyss."

I can understand if Carolyn is not familiar with the game.  That happens.  However, while you do get the wings at level 10 you can not enter the Abyss until level 25.  This line should be changed.

Just FYI.  Good day folks.

Originally posted by Maleus666

Oh boy...this game is too much ridiculous. Can't believe that is one of the most awaited  games of the year. ¬¬

Dont feed the troll ..>.>

Aion is indeed one of the best if not the best mmo i have ever played, it beats wow by far.

and for all the aion haters that wants something new everytime, think about this.

maybe we don't want all new gamplay.. maybe we don't mind grinding.. i just want an mmo that i know how to play instantly!

like Aion, i don't mind its like many other mmos it brings alot of new things too, may aion grow to be one the best mmo's ever created.

-NaNo

I guess I'm on the other end of the spectrum.   I've played in 3 betas now.  The game is very pretty, but the "story" is crap, the quests are the same as you've seen a million times, the community isn't exactly top notch, etc.

Honestly, I was bored to tears and will be passing on this one when it's released.  Just doesn't appeal to what I'm looking for in an mmo these days.  Not trying to troll, just giving an opposing view to all those who are bound to come on and say "Teh PVP rawks and it has bouncy bewbies!!11one!!11!!"

I have played the 5º and 6º CB and I'm playing the OB now. This game have much to offer, some features are really interesting, but a "quest" based MMO can't avoid to be compared to Wow, and i think the quest database is equally fun to Wow, but not larger as. You got bored to do the vanilla azeroth|kalindor quests? ... I did, but I don't transfer the emotion to this new game, because its new. It has these sane feeling, OF COURSE, its quest based leveling.

But the game is very beautiful indeed, in each detail, from the way u get a flight path or portal to the way that you interact to the npc quest givers( small cinematic before some quests ).

Another fact is the size ... 11.3GB with the 1.5 patch installed, quite nice( I  run the game in my acer aspire one :P ... 10fps FTW )

Nice article!

Can hardly wait for the release of AION.  I've played most of the CB's and am loving what the game has to offer.  I have a feeling it's going to be quite successful.

As for the trolls and naysayers-  you should really waste your time trying to find a game you LIKE to play rather than posting negativities about a game many others DO like.

Sad state of the world today... everyone just likes to complain.

Go AION!

Well written, just makes me look even more forward to the relase date! 
 

Im so looking forward to the PvPvE action, i sure hope that this will work as well as we moslty all hope! 

Cya at Early Access ;)

Originally posted by Thradar

I guess I'm on the other end of the spectrum.   I've played in 3 betas now.  The game is very pretty, but the "story" is crap, the quests are the same as you've seen a million times, the community isn't exactly top notch, etc.

Honestly, I was bored to tears and will be passing on this one when it's released.  Just doesn't appeal to what I'm looking for in an mmo these days.  Not trying to troll, just giving an opposing view to all those who are bound to come on and say "Teh PVP rawks and it has bouncy bewbies!!11one!!11!!"

QFT

Originally posted by Oyjord

Originally posted by Thradar

I guess I'm on the other end of the spectrum.   I've played in 3 betas now.  The game is very pretty, but the "story" is crap, the quests are the same as you've seen a million times, the community isn't exactly top notch, etc.

Honestly, I was bored to tears and will be passing on this one when it's released.  Just doesn't appeal to what I'm looking for in an mmo these days.  Not trying to troll, just giving an opposing view to all those who are bound to come on and say "Teh PVP rawks and it has bouncy bewbies!!11one!!11!!"

 

QFT

I can't judge the game after five levels. I just want to say that I can't stand the character cretor / avatars in general.

The fedex missions and kill x numbers of this or that mob also really felt oldschool. So for me it is a no go. It certainly doesn't help that the graphics and lore doesn't do anything for me. I can't feel enthused by this game.

BUT when that is said and done I think it will entertain the masses. Some new players will have fun with the gameplay and experienced mmo'ers who just love the cookie-cutter style. Pvp'ers who like to compete might find a good framework too. So I can't say anything against this game, except - right now - it is not for me...

I am really enjoying the game alot. I cant wait to see how the game grows in the future.

Originally posted by Thradar

I guess I'm on the other end of the spectrum.   I've played in 3 betas now.  The game is very pretty, but the "story" is crap, the quests are the same as you've seen a million times, the community isn't exactly top notch, etc.

Tbh you cant expect the community to be top notch, as the game is not yet released and the majority of the community are not in the game as a result of this.  After its been released about a month you will start to see what type of a community is being built in the game.

I can see why this is most anticipated game. It is simple and easy: you just go in and kill few mobs, do few quests and you already know enough to enjoy and be above average, There is no hard work included, same old grinding. I dont say it is bad, especially when so many people are too stupid or ocuppied that they can play only few hours a day at most.

It really doesnt have any new awesome features or something like that. Same old grinding, quest leveling...

I wont be playing it (except if it is free or will have trial I will give it try a second try) but I still say: Good luck.

Originally posted by ElendilasX

I can see why this is most anticipated game. It is simple and easy: you just go in and kill few mobs, do few quests and you already know enough to enjoy and be above average, There is no hard work included, same old grinding. I dont say it is bad, especially when so many people are too stupid or ocuppied that they can play only few hours a day at most.

It really doesnt have any new awesome features or something like that. Same old grinding, quest leveling...

I wont be playing it (except if it is free or will have trial I will give it try a second try) but I still say: Good luck.

Bwahahahahaha.

So uninformed.

Only way I would play it is if it did not have a monthly subscription. The game just does not have enough depth to justify paying a monthly fee. They should have made it like Guild Wars without the monthly fee.

Sounds good, really looking forward to start playing this

 Reallllly want this to be released already. I need a good new MMO to play for a bit wihle I wait on some of my other MMO's that I want to get already. Bored out of my mind! Need some Aion love! :(

Aion is still going to be released on the 22nd? I've done some searching on google and thats whats im getting.