Dates, Times and all that Jazz.
The fifth beta will run from 31st July (12:00 PM PT, 9:00 PM CEST, 8:00 PM BST) till 3rd August (12:00 PM PT, 9:00 PM CEST, 8:00 PM BST) and a count down can be found here: http://kindred.aion.tv/status/ This beta is focusing on levels 1-30. To see recent client updates try here: http://eu.aiononline.com/uk/news/clo…-coming-1.html
How to get a key
It has been mentioned that there will be no more giveaways for closed beta keys so currently the only way to get on to the beta is to preorder Aion. Some previous giveaway keys (MMORPG.com, Fileplanet etc) were only for one beta event so your key may now be invalid!
You don’t have to commit to buying at this stage, (although some places ask for a deposit, its not much!) but by preordering you will get access to all the beta events coming up and an early access weekend (where you can play retail Aion before its released in the west) as well as a few fancy in game items.
For a list of what you get from pre-ordering see here: Pre-Order | Aion: The Tower of Eternity
However not all sites and shops are aware of the Aion preorder beta codes (not all of them are taking part in the promotion) and Ncsoft have released an official list of retailers supporting the keys (The EU one is here: Retail | Aion: The Tower of Eternity ). Be warned though that even these sites aren’t reliably informed! For more info try here: http://www.aionsource.com/forum/ques…order-faq.html
It is important you get a code for your area i.e. EU code for EU, NA code for NA because there are now IP blocks on the accounts and currently you cannot use an account not in your area.
(Although this is being looked into by Ncsoft so may change in the future.)
Much More after the break…
Aionsouce recommended retailers:
While many places have released keys time is ticking and there are few places left that will be giving keys in time for this weekend here are a few places that Aionsource posters have had no trouble using and are still releasing keys:
EU and NA keys: Onlinecdkey - Sells just the preorder key its quite cheap (especially the euro version) Online CD Key Online Gaming Home
Game cards are also selling the preorder packs separately but for slightly more GameCards In Game within a Second
Ncsoft online store – will give you the code instantly but you have to pay the full price for the retail game on the spot as it is a prepurchase (the difference is stated here: http://help.ncsoft.com/cgi-bin/ncsoft.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=7281&p_created=1245271539&p_si d=nqsojPBj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_ sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3J vd19jbnQ9MTMsMTMmcF9wcm9kcz00NzEmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wd j0xLjQ3MSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ!!&p_li=&p_topview=1)
This is useful for people wanting a CE and not minding not getting the box and physical goodies (you still get the virtual ones) as its slightly cheaper and includes more free game time. https://secure.ncsoft.com/cgi-bin/Store.pl
NA keys only - Gamestop have beta key packs in most stores and also release them digitally through email for online orders although they now charge for cancelling orders. These are NA keys.
Beta key for just $3 (digital delivery): Buy Aion PreOrder and Beta Code (US and Canada)
EU keys only -DLgamer, Born2play, g2play and CDON - all are releasing EU keys digitally.
If you have preordered from a retailer definitely giving out keys (And before their cut-off dates) but haven’t got a key check this thread: http://www.aionsource.com/forum/gene…rder-list.html
The CE edition is out of stock?!
Fear not you can still preorder directly from the NCsoft store – however this is a digital version and not a retail version so you won’t get the boxed goods like the soundtrack and figurine. (It is cheaper than most places though and you get an extra 7 days play time added to the account too, just to play devils advocate.) Specialist Collector?s sites (such as this UK based one: Specialty Software – Aion: The Tower of Eternity Collector’s Edition) will still have the boxed CE but be prepared to pay through the nose!
When I preorder the CE what in game items do I get?
Quick answer: All of them!
You’ll get the preorder items: Black Cloud Hat, Lodas’ Amulet and One Ancient Ring of Power (type depends on where you ordered) during the early access weekend just before the game goes live.
When the game goes live and you’ve added your CE serial code to your playNC master account (where your preorder code will live) you’ll get the CE items: Black Cloud Wings, Black Cloud Earring and special Colour dye! (as well as title and emotes).
You don’t get the Wings, earring or dye if you haven’t ordered the CE. You wont get any of the items during beta weekends either and preordering more than one copy of the game will not get you two different rings either (read this for more details: Support | NCsoft )
What do I do with my key / how do I create an account?
You will need to create an account here https://secure.ncsoft.com/cgi-bin/accountManagement.pl and when your code comes you add it all in on the website under ‘Add a serial code’ under ‘my account.’ You’ll create the log in details and everything there.
Where Can I Download the Client?
Here: http://aion.patcher.ncsoft.com/liteinstaller/Aion.exe
This will install the Ncsoft launcher which will download Aion for you. It will come up saying that it is the US version but this is fine for EU users – just simply change your region in the Ncsoft launcer by going to file- settings- advanced- region and selecting Europe from the menu when Aion is fully installed (not before) this thread takes you through the process using screenshots if you are unsure: http://www.aionsource.com/forum/gene…tings-faq.html.
If you have trouble installing see this thread: http://www.aionsource.com/forum/gene…-problems.html
How Big is the Client?
Currently the link above installs everything at 7.8G but some other client downloads will install at the full 14.5G so be sure to leave plenty of time before the weekend to download the client (note: if your client is neither of these two sizes you will need to run the repair /consitencey check from the NcSoft launcher)! You don’t need to have a beta key in order to download or even launch Aion, so you can download just to see the pretty log in screen… everyday… <.<
Client Errors!
If you are having any trouble with installation check this thread: http://www.aionsource.com/forum/ques…oting-faq.html
How do I report in game bugs?
The beta forum goes live today and its full of devs and happy peoples poking around about Aion so come join in the fun *Squee* The shiney happy beta boards can be found here *looks around* Shiney right 
? You ish in teh wrong section for bugs though so try the bug reporting thread here: http://betaboards.aiononline.com//forumdisplay.php?f=26
The 48 hour headstart
The headstart is tied into your beta key, NOT the key that comes in your box (or digitally at release date if you didn’t order a box). So you will not receive another key until Aion has been officially released (22nd in NA and 25th in EU).
The headstart date is the 20th for both the NA servers and the EU servers. The EU headstart will, apparently, stay open 5 days until official release on the 25th.
During this time you will get your preorder (NOT CE) items. How is not yet known and we also do not know yet if they will be bound to the account or just one character.
Billing / Free Gametime
If you brought a SE or CE from a retailer you will get 30 days free time. Your billing account may currently say you next need to pay on the 8th of October but this is just a bum date and will be changed closer to the release date.
If your brought a SE or CE from NcSoft Store directly you will get 37 days free time. The billing date is also wrong on these accounts and will be changed at some point.
If you prefer to buy your game time on a game card rather than direct through your credit card then you can pre-purchase one of the standard NcSoft prepaid game cards instead.
For more detailed information on the billing please try here: Support | NCsoft
Source: Aion Official forums, User: “Ku Ku”
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August 1st, 2009 at 3:45 am
Pre-purchasing of the standard NcSoft prepaid game cards will allow you to save a considerable amount while buying your game time on a game card.