I enjoyed your review, it was very well written.

Theoretically Interesting

Originally posted by Boardwalker

Seriously!? You really think people were raving about this game? I have to wonder on what sites you are getting your info. Most of the positive posts that I've seen stated that the game has solid mechanics, polished graphics, and some good pvp potential. I really haven't seen people "raving" about it, but I guess you are looking to create some drama. Actually, most positive posts are just in reaction to wildly negative posts, something I don't think this game deserves.

I like Aion, I'll play it at launch, but in no way do I believe it will save mankind from destruction and bring about world peace.

Well, if you were on these forums 2 months ago you might have been lead to believe that Aion was God's gift to the MMORPG world based on all the hype.

I finally got into the beta today and I was really surprised to find that THIS is what people have been raving about.

I'll give it two things, the game is polished and runs well, and that's probably saying a lot when compared to most MMO's, but otherwise it's really standard fare.

I'm a little shocked that the MMORPG crowd has been mostly in awe of this title, even going so far as joining the Chinese beta. For this? Really?

Rubivi, I completely agree with you. There was a thread about this the other day, but it was deleted by the mods. You're not alone in feeling that this was a terrible "open beta" experience. I went to the official site, clicked on the "Play in Open Beta!" graphic and downloaded the client through one of the three methods mentioned on the official site. Nowhere does the official site state that you need to have either a pre-order or fileplanet subsriber status to play the "open beta."

The only thing worse than the terrible "open beta" situation is the treatment you get on this forum while trying to air a legitimate complaint.

I agree. I was disappointed to see that it was removed. There are likely many other individuals out there experiencing the same problem. In fact, I saw another thread over at the Vault Network boards discussing the same thing, and it wasn't deleted.

Originally posted by xeniar

Also Blizz has stated that it would be a new IP, tho this doesnt say much they can lie :)

IP means Intellectual property right? So if they're on a new planet with new lore, new factions, new races, etc...then isn't that "new IP"?

The term "new IP" could be very broadly interpreted.

To the OP, I totally agree with your sentiment.

I've been playing MMO's for years and following these and other forums for equally as long and I'm always amazed by the zeal with which some folks will buy and play utter and complete trash. However, I've learned that nothing I say will have any effect whatsoever on the folks who buy this crap. Their rationale is literally beyond my comprehension, and probably beyond yours. Maybe they're just smarter than us...

I'd like to see the exact quote. I don't recall them saying that it will be a "new IP." But maybe they did. I dunno. Regardless, that doesn't mean that they're not working on WoW2, it just means that their new MMO is a new IP.

You know, I think that's a brilliant find. I completely agree that they're giving us a huge hint.

I had posted before on the general forums about the next "expansion." I personally believe that the next MMO is actually WoW2 for a number of reasons and your find kinda helps me put the pieces together.  Of course I could be totally wrong, but I think there are a lot of indicators pointing towards WoW2. I'll list a few here:

1. Blizzard often works in 3's. If you count the original content and the two expansions, then you've hit the 3 mark.

2. Blizzard is running into an issue where the price of entry is too high for new players who want to play with the greater 70-80 population. The task of leveling through all that content is just too daunting. I think WoW2 will let new players start on a level par with veterans.

3. The death of the Lich King will represent the close of the primary storyline in WoW and represents a great point for starting something new.

4. We've explored all or most of the classic continents. I don't know of any other continents in the classic lore, but maybe there are others.?

5. This would work well with the hero class. My theory is that the hero class will basically turn into a prestige class for people who leveled through the original content. WoW2 won't allow new players to create DK's, but they will have they're onw hero class in their 3rd expansion.

6. Achievements from the old content will serve as bragging rights to veterans.

7. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, Blizz wants to show off all that they've learned in a new expansion that new players can enjoy. If you've played from the beginning then you know how the game has evolved and all the lessons learned.

When I said these things on the official forums people kept replying, "there's no way they're gonna ditch WoW, it makes too much money." They missed my point, but maybe I didn't make it well.

Anyway, I think you've really stumbled on something here.