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Aion Interviews: Associate Producer Interview
MMORPG.com's Jon Wood recently had the chance to ask five questions of Aion's Associate Producer Lani Blazier about the game's overall appeal as it approaches launch.
By Jon Wood on August 14, 2009
| MMORPG.com: | Aion™ has quite a bit of positive hype surrounding it. Is there any concern that, as has happened to other recent MMO launches, the hype will get too high for the game and that players will be disappointed when the game finally launches? |
| Lani Blazier: | I think we've done a good job at managing expectations about Aion, especially since the game has already launched in Korea and China. Players know that we're delivering them a polished, top quality game with server stability, interesting content, social features on the web, and future updates. Yes, the pressure is definitely on for us, though! We want to make sure Aion delivers the best MMO experience possible for gamers. It's a goal we're committed to. |
| MMORPG.com: | How do the Aion developers plan to prevent the mass exodus of players after the first month that has plagued so many other recent MMO launches? |
| Lani Blazier: | The MMO gaming space has many terrific games it, and we realize players have options when it comes to MMOs. That's why the best thing our team can do right now is focus on making Aion the best MMORPG we possibly can. We're launching an extremely polished game with a ton of content, and we're committed to listening to our player feedback and providing our players with the updates to prove it. For example, Aion launched in South Korea in November 2008, and since then, there have already been three large content updates to the game. Overall, we are very happy with the game, and we are convinced that players will see Aion's uniqueness, its breadth, and its intriguing and lasting gameplay. |
| MMORPG.com: | What, in your opinion, sets Aion apart from other recent MMOs both in specific game mechanics and in overall approach? |
| Lani Blazier: | I've been asked this question a lot, and it's a really good one. As I mentioned above, we know players have choices, so it's important to us that we offer them game mechanics and experiences that they're not necessarily going to find in any other MMO. In Aion, we've added tactical flight, which introduces three-dimensional combat and is going to change the way players and Legions think about combat strategies. We've combined PvP and PvE so players no longer have to commit to one or the other; PvPvE allows them to play both while also giving them the option to focus on one over the other. NCsoft has also always been known for its robust character creator systems (City of Heroes, Guild Wars), and we've definitely taken character creation to the next level with Aion. Not only can players create a truly unique character look, but they can also customize the way they play the game with that character. An example of gameplay customization is the use of Stigma stones. By using different combinations of Stigma stones, players can enhance and change their character's class so that the character is distinctive. |
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| MMORPG.com: | What, if anything, is being done to appeal to Sandbox style players who are looking for something beyond a simple, handholding, guided experience? |
| Lani Blazier: | Aion does an excellent job of introducing players to the wide variety of activities and systems in game, and the game encourages players to explore these features fully without handholding. The beginning zones in Aion do a good job of teaching players the game while at the same time not throwing new players more than they can handle. In the higher level zones, the game is a more open experience for players. The maps have fog of war, which encourages exploration, as well as a gathering-dependent crafting system that challenges players to go find rare materials and hunt specific monsters for items that they need. The storylines of the game have side quests separate from the game's main campaign quests. Players can have fun unearthing and completing these additional stories that enrich the depth of the game world. We also have a very active broker system if playing economies is more to your liking. Aion is so detailed in so many different systems that the game has no single, linear, shallow way to play. |
| MMORPG.com: | What does Aion do to appeal to the gamers who want more to their MMO design than simple leveling mechanics? |
| Lani Blazier: | Leveling in Aion is a way to venture through all the content and provide a means of introducing the different game mechanics. At level 10, players are introduced to the crafting and collection system so that they can explore all six different professions. At level 20, players then explore the Stigma system, which allows them to tinker with different class builds. Throughout the game, you can modify and enhance armor in a multitude of ways to get the exact look and stats you want for your character. All of these systems will continue to expand as your character levels up. The game lets you grow your character both in breadth as well as power. |
;)
Sounds like they know what they are doing :) plus I love the idea of being able to pvp or pve, and even do both at the same time when I choose to.
I love Aion, but I don't like the interview very much.
I didn't like when she mentions NCSoft being known for character creation and then mentioning City of Heroes, since they weren't responsible for development until way late in the game.
It's really generalized information overall.
Well learned something new about Aion i didn't know about, fog of war on the mini map, a feature i have not seen on any MMO i have played so far. Otherwise i have to agree about the interview, a little bland there.
Geez nice work with this selection of questions Jon!
There's a large dose of cynicism and skepticism with every one of them, which is a little sad, but a very sobre reflection of where the jaded and jilted mmorpg gamer's head is at right now. I almost feel sorry for the respondents having to remain upbeat in light of them.
Kudos to Blazier then for setting the pitch right; enthusiastic while not hysterically bleating out promises or expectations they won't be able to meet.
Most reading this article will have already made up their minds about whether or not to try out this game, but this is a good feeler none-the-less.
It is suprisingly uncommon for a MMO to have a FOW. Though suprisingly, WoW had it. Apparently it's a feature noone really realized until now. I think it's a good feature too because just like playing a RTS, it makes everything more of a suprise.
I have seen 19 jillion questions on Aion character creation so I think asking another one is beyond ridiculous We still have not found anyone with the guts to ask about their past problems with bots. Another question session with zero difficult questions.
Heaven forbid you have to ask a question that makes the inviewee think.
Actually his questions were good, at least when compared with the majority of game 'journalists' who throw vague softball questions at producers and then refuse to call them on the fact that they give canned PR-speak non-answers. There's nothing jaded or jilted about asking pertinent questions and not allowing a producer to use your interview as a PR puff piece and free advertising for your game.
Blazier is no different than any other talking head salesman. Case in point:
"Aion does an excellent job of introducing players to the wide variety of activities and systems in game, and the game encourages players to explore these features fully without handholding," she says.
What? When you break it down, what does that even mean?
Hmm, I don't know whether to laugh at the wide variety of activities bit (yeah fedex quests, kill quests, non-consequential pvp, truly wonderous variety), or the rest of it.
How exactly does it encourage players to explore these features without handholding? Oh that's right, it doesn't, but if you throw enough verbiage at a question, stupid people might think you actually answered it.
Great questions, terrible answers. I like how the question regarding sandbox elements was basically a sugar coated "There are none 8D" and regarding the last question their response was essentially "When they run out of levels, they get to gear grind Exciting and different I know 8D"!
This is already a decent MMO, so it promises well for launch. But ‘Sandbox Style’? I have read a lot about Aion and there is nothing to make me think this is a sandbox style game. Surely the reviewer knew this, before he asked the question?
It just sounded like a pre launch 'all things to all men' soundbite from the PR department.
so far, the only thing i don't like about Aion is all the "personal" stores. It makes me feel like I am playing Silkroad. We have brokers...isn't that enough?
Well you have both just like in FFXI, just ignore them or adapt to them.
Nothing wrong with options I suppose. As an ex-L2 player, I hated the player shops only option although I can see the usefulness.
Just because you don't like them doesn't mean others don't, maybe it's not enough for some players.
lots of aion new articles now days.... not even going to bother play CBT6 myself, can't stand the grind and getting ganked... later versions help with the grind and I only ever feel like grinding if it gets me somewhere.
anyway, im hoping open beta will be 1.5
also hoping for more characterisation, because atm you can mostly only get different kinds of Asians, while there's nothing wrong with that (and you can make many Western-styled faces, just FAR FAR from what most would like to think they could make)... it is pretty limiting for a Western audience esp with no other races to fill the gap... cant make my perfect Iraqi-styled sorc, nor my native American ranger, which sucks considering I'd think with that engine that they would be able to do it.
so anyway, my point, the customisation is perfect for the Chinese/Korean/Japanese audience, but anyone outside of that part of the world is extremely limited. esp with the females, it seem illegal for females in that area of the world to have larger noses without looking freaky from using the customisation
either way, just a preference, wouldnt really mind if they didnt, but would like the options
CB6 has exposed the ugly side of AION. Asmodians on the Siel server were pinned down in their fort by Elyos for hours on Friday. I was ganked and killed by two Asmodians who ran away cursing at me. The level of gameplay was pretty close to as low as it can get. AION has such huge potential, but a lot of people will just walk away after experiences like tonight leaving just hard core pvper's around to play the game.
I'll agree, the CBT didn't convince anyone of playing. If anything it turned many off the game. It is hard to even blame anyone for QQing in some forums about the game considering that fact. And the simple fact is that CBT is pretty much purely for advertising reasons a part from maybe testing server stability, and it just doesn't work esp in a situation like this.
Well you have both just like in FFXI, just ignore them or adapt to them.
Nothing wrong with options I suppose. As an ex-L2 player, I hated the player shops only option although I can see the usefulness.
Just because you don't like them doesn't mean others don't, maybe it's not enough for some players.
not a game breaker for me. just annoying is all.
I don't. They are selling a product. It is our right as consumers to know as much as possible about what they are trying to sell us.
Most likely, those sort of questions were banned prior to the 'interview'. Commericial game sites aren't about journalism, they are about advertising. It's too bad that the sites don't realize how much the companies need the advertising, and start digging deeper.
Electronic gaming is huge business now. No reason there shouldn't be people asking tough questions.
Essentially, yes. I was somewhat annoyed as well. This will be a good, perhaps great, PvP game. It will not be a sandbox. It will not have roleplaying. It will probably end up much like Guild Wars with flying. It just is not engaging enough to be a full, vibrant world, though it is very pretty.
Right, because people from the last beta are already level capped and bored. I don't see why they didn't add a "chicken" concept (ala WAR) for people above a certain level limit and in the opposing faction's zone.
Another option, "PvE" servers, has to have one of the most active threads on the beta boards. I can see where they're coming from. Aion has too much PvE grind for a pure PvP game (the first 20 levels are all PvE). Yet all the servers have unlimited (via rift) world PvP after level 20. The dichotomy is really weird. Maybe it's something that's fine to an eastern audience (and the eastern devs). To me (western), it seems like the first 20 levels will turn off hardcore PvPers, and the sudden introduction to open world PvP at level 20 will turn off the people who enjoyed the first 20 levels.
A question along these lines would be nice.
On a different topic, I'm surprised that nothing was asked about how they plan to handle the large number of conflicts between GameGuard and common gaming/anti-virus software. Maybe NCSoft didn't allow it. Even an answer like, "The devs are looking into it" would be telling because both the GameGuard(nprotect) devs and the Aion devs are in Korea. Is the conflicting software more common among western gamers? If so, is it less likely to be handled quickly? Will the conflicts ever be handled, or are they "working as intended?" (etc.)
Man, I was so pissed when I found out about the Chicken thing, pissed me off.
Either way, the guy you quoted's point is invalid since endgame-wise there WILL be a third faction as well as faction limits on servers (a.k.a. won't be able to create Elyos if there are too many already).
So avalon1000, you have no point is saying 'this is showing Aion's true side' since Aion's true side will be totally different then what it currently is at level 30. Don't be moronic, think about what you are saying in context of Aion's endgame next time instead of assume that level 30 PVP is Aion's true side (lol).
I agree, gaming journalism is completely pathetic atm, just look at websites like IGN, purposely payed to promote certain games above standards.
Does it have twitch-skill based game play? No.
It is just another wow clone and if you play Darkfall you will understand how real aiming is more fun than point and click sticky targeting.
JGE will be the king of twitch-skill based mmo's.
Aion and wow are good mmo's to start with but the combat is what really matters in an mmo and wow clones fail at fun combat. You will get board of this game as soon as you realize you really don't like the non interactive combat, like I did. Try shooting and arrow in DFO or Oblivion and you will know what I mean.
Its the typical corporate marketing speak that should be expected. It was likely velted by the PR and marketing departments before it was allowed out. Many of these people should seek public office, as they have the same type of vague, generalized, read what you want in to it speech patterns as politicians do.
What concerns me is some of the post 20 activities. From what I've heard from others, post 20 it turns into a gankfest. Which is really not my type of game. The graphics look great though.
Holy Moly. What a fanboyish unrelevant post. Comparing level based "everquest" style games to twitch combat games is similar to comparing Arcade Fighter to First Person Shooter (which is fairly accurate). There is still skill in games like Street Fighter and it requires some twitch movement... like Aion. Aion feels more like an Arcade Fighter MMO than anything else when you have to describe the combat and it's fun! Aion isn't even close to the same as WoW, why does everyone compare? Have you played the game? I can't even level a toon above 30 these days in WoW and I found it fun and exilerating to level to 30 in a Closed Beta in Aion.
About the sandbox MMO question, was that even needed? Aion is definently not a sandbox MMO and no developer is going to answer "our game provides nothing for the sandbox player". Don't hate on the developer, hate on MMORPG.com for asking such a rediculous question. Of course there are obvious answers like Fog of War, exploring zones and that crap but what sandbox players want is something that they can have an impact and say "because of me there is a quarry on the east side of that mountain". The only thing Aion has to hold a candle to those types of players is the ability to capture fortresses and the promise of player housing next expansion.
I think there will be more interviews about Aion when it comes closer to release and it will be really easy for skeptical players to try it in the near future with Open Beta coming up. I recommend anyone sitting on the fence to download the western Aion client anticipating Open Beta in September and try the game up to 20~ and judge for yourselves.
I agree. Try the beta before buying if possible. If nothing else, it lets you verify that:
Then you don't pay $50-$60, only to find out that you can't play because it crashes your anti-virus system and turns your $50 mouse into a 3-button paperweight. Seriously, I don't see how they plan to launch this in NA with much success when there are so many conflicts with GameGuard. That's going to add up to a lot of angry people in Sep.
For the last months ive heard the word Pollished all the time.
BUT just one question , why do i imidently drown and sink like a stone when i go in the water ?
That is to me one of the basic things you have fix, and its not very pollished.
Anyhows im going to enjoy the game , when it arrive in the mailbox. but i dont like the word Pollished , since it has sevral major bugs.
In my opinion there are some very good questions, forcing the PR guy to spin and lie.
(sandbox, exodus etc). Botting just wasn´t big of a problem in the beta, it seems.
To the guy that said ganking only occured at lvl 30 in beta, because there was nothing else to do: do you think, it will drastically change, when those who were 30 are lvl 50, and those who were 20 are lvl 40 then? On a server maybe 1000 Elyos vs 600 Asmos?
Then the 3rd PvE faction will balance it? Hope there is a good AI then. Not just 2-3 tanks pull the mobs together and then full AoE damage...
The game is polished, this interview had very boring and annoying questions. To the individual who said the game wasnt polished because of no swimming, I find your post amusing. The entire game world fails being polished all because the devs chose to use water instead of walls as barriers? The trolls are in full swing arent they? as far as ganking at 30 in the game, it has already been posted. But just to touch on it, the cbt's are limited and only cap at 30, ofcourse people are going to get very bored and gank lower levels. Now alot of you are stating the same issue will occure later, however at that point the higher level players have alot of stuff to do, like capture keeps/artifcats/instances not to mention defend against enemy factions and the Balur. If you think that ganking at 30 is going to be simmilar to end game then I have to disagree.
Umm where to start ...
First up this is one reason why i hate the word polish,if a game has nothing that really takes any effort to polish then it is nothing to brag about,hence why i laugh at WOW users using the Polish word.
Now saying that ,AION does enter flight witch is not your norm,but the ability to allow players to move in air is nothing more than a zone property,it really is part of the game engine and takes no effort.
Now also on those same lines,water usually have zonal properties also,and AION does not use it,one simple example is using a GRAVITY effect/property,many game engines have it,some don't.I am not sure how good the AION engine is ,but i am sure it is not high tech,so who knows maybe they do not even have water zone properties.I have never seen a working door in any ASIAN games,so maybe movers or anything along that effect are not present in these game engines either,same thing in WOW a very ancient game engine.Now again along these lines,even older game engines can be coded to bring in new properties,but who knows how bad theyu botched up the coding,maybe it would take them too much work.
Now if Aion DOES have wate zonal properties,it would basically be the LAZY/cheap approach as to why they have not added anything into them like a gravity effect,lighting effects,fog effects,only NCSOFT knows,and judging by the over all quality of the game,i qwould say they were a litle lack on their efforts.
Originally i thought Aion did not even have shadow effects ,so many areas in the game do not show any when they should,but i realize they do have it,it just works horribly or not at all in many cases.To give them some credit i did notice they used some nice RAY/lighting effects to imitate light rays shining down,so they did do some effort in some areas just not a complete game effort.
The more and more i have dwindled around Asian game engines,i have noticed more and more they all sort of look the exact same,i would not doubt there is 1 or 2 game engines they are all using.This would make sense since they all also use the exact same Game Guard,witch is 100% useless,well 99% useless.Player models always look the same,weapon models look the same,animations look the same, heck just about everything looks the same.
Nice anwer there.
Ive noticed all game dev has some sort of saying to attract ppl.
Like Age of conan , always talked about there "Death animation " dont rember , and that there game is so uniq with there combat system, what is so emazing with the combat system i would like to subscribe for 4 years. and the Death animation is fun indeed , but only the first 1000 times. i meen they hype the game self so much , its not about getting ppl to buy they game , its about doing a game that apeals for a long time so that i can play with my freinds and guild for sevral years.
I ofc understand that all the C.O what to earn money in a hard gaming industri, but they lure ppl with diffrent kind of tricks all the time. that doesnt is as they say.
Aion.
Look at the Intervies they give"Vidios" , i think the word "polised" comes sevral times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MyiwRy40YA
That meens they have been told to say "pollished"
And the girl ? dont rember her name , but , is she realy a staff member ? , i meen "get a girl that is good looking from the steet or use you sister " okey !?
Make her talk about the game , but dont look at the camera when you are speaking look at the red dot we have installed on the wall in front of you " use the word polised during action.
So i wanna buy the game becouse there is a pretty girl ?.
Huh huh *whisper* The game is polished*
Anyhows im going to enjoy the game very much , and i am waiting for it to dimp down in my mailbox.
But there is them self that are hyping it , not us
Sorry, but from my long experience, if ganking is possible, its going to continue through the rest of the game. Why? Simply because its possible. Gankers/griefers don't need any excuse or reason for their behavior. Some people get a perverse pleasure out of ruining other peoples enjoyment of a game. Anyway, thanks for the heads up. I'd heard rumors that Aion allowed(encourages) ganking at the later levels. Now I'll not bother with it. Its too bad, as it looks like a good game, other wise. But I've had MORE than my fill of gankfest games.
No thats a miss conception...
You have no choice you get to go to PVP areas no matter what.
And if you play any games with such areas...you know full well it matters not if you want to engage others or not...they will hunt you down and attack you over and over and over.(as many are pointing out the entire ganking thing..yep thats typical in games with zones like these)
The article was ok....but the truth is...i kind of forsee a mass exodus........
The entire limited flight (word of advice dont jump around too much you can actualy kill your self jumping even if its off a table or down some stairs...gliding is ok but thats on a timer..takes a bit to recharge too) and other wierd things like spirits you summon unable to fly and are weak (before anyone responds...if you fly spirits tend to rry to get to you..including running away)...and the weird random factor on many skills(you are stealthed from 1 to 60 seconds, you sneak attack for an additional1 to 512 damage, your run speed increases by 1% to 200%) and the root you to the ground while you use a skill or spell and it can be spoiled by an attack thing(damage over time effects literally are bad on players...NPCs seam to ignore it)....
These factors remind me of why people leave so many games....Its funny these where things they had in two of their other games that didnt do so well either....Auto Assault and Tabula Rasa...
I hope they actualy fix this stuff...
Rumor has it they wont be using the 1.5 version for the open beta either...i have a feeling its not that great..or else they would be testing it.
No thats a miss conception...
You have no choice you get to go to PVP areas no matter what.
No, zathos is correct.
You have area's like THeombolis (sp) which are Pve only!... then there is the abyss which is pretty much pvp all the time, you can try to pve in there but it wont be long before you will be pvping.
Then there is eltnen, which is a huge PvE / PvP area, you can keep quiet and do pve or you can look for the rifts were the pvp is.
We also have 1.5 coming which puts in a lot more content pve wise, and more pve instances.
So yes, you can pure pve. But the pve is just like any other mmo.. Aions brilliance is with the pvp, even the shy player that scoff's at pvp will find pvping fun and exciting, even at low levels.
No, zathos is correct.
You have area's like THeombolis (sp) which are Pve only!... then there is the abyss which is pretty much pvp all the time, you can try to pve in there but it wont be long before you will be pvping.
Then there is eltnen, which is a huge PvE / PvP area, you can keep quiet and do pve or you can look for the rifts were the pvp is.
We also have 1.5 coming which puts in a lot more content pve wise, and more pve instances.
So yes, you can pure pve. But the pve is just like any other mmo.. Aions brilliance is with the pvp, even the shy player that scoff's at pvp will find pvping fun and exciting, even at low levels.
That doesn't square with what I've heard of the later levels in Aion. That being that one pretty much has little choice but to PvP. I'm not shy, nor inexperienced. I'm simply sick and tired of MMO ganking. If I want PvP I'll go play UT3 or Quake4. Games that have been designed from the ground up for balanced PvP. PvP tends to be the lazy approach to these games. In so far as the players them selves provide much of the content and interaction. This bait and switch routine is insulting to the western players, who have no interest in ganking or being ganked. Its not a promising introduction to a new game.
The girl in the video is the sameone that gave this interveiw Lani " Liv " Blazier. I think she's very nice looking. To each his own I guess.
Ok so maybe I'm misreading this but your first complaint is "Asmodians on the Siel server were pinned down in their fort by Elyos for hours on Friday." So you're complaining that the Asmodians were being pwned in PvP for multiple hours straight... OK I can see how that would be irritating for someone on the asmodian side...
But, your next sentence says" I was ganked and killed by two Asmodians who ran away cursing at me. " So... now you're saying that you are Elyos and you're upset that 2 asmodians ganked ya...
1. If you are Elyos why are you complaining about your faction doing well in PvP?
2. Isnt running up and killing members of the enemy faction the point in PvP?
3. Obviously that upperhand the Elyos had for multiple hours was later balanced out if the Asmodians were able to fight back and get some kills of their own...
So I see nothing to be discouraged about. I'm seeing that there is finally a game where PvPers can actually go out and PvP in a balanced system where the only upperhand you can have is numbers and skill.
Sure if there are more Elyos logged in than Asmodians the Elyos will have an advantage... but that goes both ways.
Also, never complain about getting ganked when you're knowingly in a PvP hotzone. That's like becoming a boxer and complaining when your opponent jabs you.
Maybe this is just my opinion... I dunno.
Ok so maybe I'm misreading this but your first complaint is "Asmodians on the Siel server were pinned down in their fort by Elyos for hours on Friday." So you're complaining that the Asmodians were being pwned in PvP for multiple hours straight... OK I can see how that would be irritating for someone on the asmodian side...
But, your next sentence says" I was ganked and killed by two Asmodians who ran away cursing at me. " So... now you're saying that you are Elyos and you're upset that 2 asmodians ganked ya...
1. If you are Elyos why are you complaining about your faction doing well in PvP?
2. Isnt running up and killing members of the enemy faction the point in PvP?
3. Obviously that upperhand the Elyos had for multiple hours was later balanced out if the Asmodians were able to fight back and get some kills of their own...
So I see nothing to be discouraged about. I'm seeing that there is finally a game where PvPers can actually go out and PvP in a balanced system where the only upperhand you can have is numbers and skill.
Sure if there are more Elyos logged in than Asmodians the Elyos will have an advantage... but that goes both ways.
Also, never complain about getting ganked when you're knowingly in a PvP hotzone. That's like becoming a boxer and complaining when your opponent jabs you.
Maybe this is just my opinion... I dunno.
"balanced system??" <boggle> You've not tried playing melee very much, have you?
But I must admit it is MUCH more of a gankers game, than I've seen for awhile. I have no idea how NCsoft expects it to be much more than a niche game in the west.
"balanced system??" <boggle> You've not tried playing melee very much, have you?
But I must admit it is MUCH more of a gankers game, than I've seen for awhile. I have no idea how NCsoft expects it to be much more than a niche game in the west.
I always play Melee actually. Usually Assassins and sometimes fighters... I don't see what that has to do with anything though. The effectiveness of a class is solely dependent of the person playing. For instance, I suck at ranged/magic attacking. But give me a sword or dagger and I'll destroy.
PvP is about figuring out your class/character. What they can/can't do how to utilize specific skillchains and attacks against specific adversaries.
From what I've heard/seen in gameplay demos and vids Aion has no "virtual steroids" or item mall advantages. Every player levels and acquires skills/gear in the same manner. So yes, it looks to me like the PvP is balanced because everyone has the same equal opportunities to craft, level, and practice/learn skills as their enemy counterparts and opposing classes.
Perhaps some people have just gotten used to item mall advantages or need to choose a new class/job
No, zathos is correct.
You have area's like THeombolis (sp) which are Pve only!... then there is the abyss which is pretty much pvp all the time, you can try to pve in there but it wont be long before you will be pvping.
Then there is eltnen, which is a huge PvE / PvP area, you can keep quiet and do pve or you can look for the rifts were the pvp is.
We also have 1.5 coming which puts in a lot more content pve wise, and more pve instances.
So yes, you can pure pve. But the pve is just like any other mmo.. Aions brilliance is with the pvp, even the shy player that scoff's at pvp will find pvping fun and exciting, even at low levels.
That doesn't square with what I've heard of the later levels in Aion. That being that one pretty much has little choice but to PvP. I'm not shy, nor inexperienced. I'm simply sick and tired of MMO ganking. If I want PvP I'll go play UT3 or Quake4. Games that have been designed from the ground up for balanced PvP. PvP tends to be the lazy approach to these games. In so far as the players them selves provide much of the content and interaction. This bait and switch routine is insulting to the western players, who have no interest in ganking or being ganked. Its not a promising introduction to a new game.
I have to disagree with you Wraith.... While the later levels of Aion may be more geared toward PvP and a little less toward PvE that doesnt mean that the later level PvE will be lacking by any means. Also you have to consider later patches and updates that will probably allow for more PvE content.
And in all honesty what is the point in end-game PvE other than farming/crafting sweet gear for PvP. Once you hit max level you can't go up anymore and all you have left is PvP and that's with ANY mmo. So if you aren't a fan of end-game PvP then don't level up to end-game status or find a new genre.
"This bait and switch routine is insulting to the western players, who have no interest in ganking or being ganked."
Maybe it's insulting to you, But I'm a US gamer and I personally LOVE gankage. It allows you to have the same "inyour face" PvP experience as if you were playing UT3 or GoW or CoD or whatever but within a diff genre and style. Yes, I love the run and gun andblasting people to bits with grenade launchers and bio-cannons. But I also enjoy hacking someone limbs off with my blade. The "gankage" in your face PvPvE system of Aion allows you to enjoy the Fantasy style culture and graphics without sacrificing the fast-paced fighting/PvP that us FPS gamers know and love.
I think some of us are just letting personal interests effect our judgement of Aion's unique gameplay.
I think that Aion won't be a game for Everyone but that it will be a game for gamers with a more open-mind and creative style about them. (personal opinion) I don't see this being a game for casual "come and go" players. But in that sense will enhance the atmosphere and overall enjoyability of the game for the more experienced gamers looking for hardcore PvP and stimulating PvE all in one package. (again, Personal opinion)