Sadly I was not able to play as much as I wanted during the “Head Start” program due to unforeseen events. I did get a good taste of the excessive server queues though! I was able to finally get some play time in last night and was overjoyed. As some of you know the www.AionFTW.com crew have settled on the Triniel Server as Elyos. The quests at low level have not changed since the BETA so it was very easy to plough through a few levels.

One issue that needs to be addressed immediately is the bug (I assumed this is a bug) where when getting disconnected we are placed back in the queue. This was addressed very early with WoW (you had a grace period to log back in bypassing the queue) and I imagine it won’t be long before something to that effect is applied to Aion. I was playing in full screen mode and alt-tabbing to respond to MSN conversations… the game crashed and when I went to log back in I was placed at the end of a 2000+ player queue.

As frustrating as that was, I still enjoyed a few hours of gameplay and used this time to really understand the UI while grinding to level 7. For those of you actually reading this blog I have a piece of advice regarding skipping the server queue (this may be common knowledge): simply set up shop and AFK. There is no rule against this yet and for the moment it seems you can remain logged with an active private store for an excessive period of time. I’m sure this will be corrected soon (I hope they work harder to eliminate the queue itself) at which point I don’t doubt players will find other ways to stay logged.

Tune in for more!

Related posts:

1. Aion Online Open Beta Cinematic Trailer
2. Guide to Aion Beta 5

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”

Related posts:

1. Aion Beta Schedule
2. Aion Online Open Beta Cinematic Trailer
3. Aion Assassin Guide – Compendium of Sin

With the release of Aion so near I can only imagine most of us who intend to play are wondering which class we will be rolling. Many of us are or were WoW players and this may influence us on which class seems most comfortable. One thing to keep in mind is the truly defined classes found in Aion. Several WoW players became frustrated with the lack of specialization (especially in the recent year) between classes, namely due to the hybrids. Tanks who had been so since release became furious when hybrid classes excelled at this role while easily being able to accommodate the raids other needs. Pure DPS players were enraged when a simple talent switch could make a healer class outdo them in damage.

Aion will feature a total of 8 classes when breaking down each primary class to their 2 specializations which are set at level 10. Here are the classes available (the brief descriptions mostly focus on their PVE roles):

Scout

Assassin – burst damage melee

Ranger – High damage ranged

Warrior

Gladiator – frontline melee (strong AOE)

Templar – main tank

Mage

Spiritmaster – summoner

Sorcerer – caster dps

Priest

Cleric – Primary healer

Chanter – Buffer

This being said; Aion’s classes are far more defined mainly due to the lack of talent trees and alternate specializations. Those of us who intend to role a main tank are clearly driven to the Templar while a Cleric is ideal for someone who loves the challenge of keeping the group alive with heals. Many of us see this as very refreshing over what we may have been used to in other games. Others may see this as simply reduced options, limiting our play experience.

I foresee less of a need to constantly alter/nerf classes for fine tuning in both PVE and PVP. Once a class role is set and its abilities allow it to excel at the task required; only the occasional minor adjustment (due to new content/game items) may be necessary.

Stay tuned, as we’ll be playing each class during this weekend’s BETA event, and will be writing thorough descriptions and guides for each class, to better help you decide what you might want to choose as your class.

Related posts:

1. Aion Class Description: Cleric
2. Class Description: Gladiator
3. Aion Class Description: Assassin

How Do I get Into the Beta Events?: Preorder the game!

Current Beta Schedule:

Closed Beta Event #5 – July 31-August 3 Focus: Elyos and Asmodian levels 1-30

Closed Beta Event #6 – August 14-August 17 Focus: TBD

If you don’t want to preorder the game, but are curious whats going on in these events, make sure to come back to AionFTW.com! We will be present, and taking lots of pictures, videos, and notes to bring you all the stuff that’ll make you wanna move back into your mom’s basement, quit your job, and get addicted to this amazing new MMO! … oh wait…is that just us? Dammit!

Related posts:

1. Guide to Aion Beta 5
2. Welcome to AionFTW.com!

This is one seriously great trailer. I’ve always been impressed by Blizzard’s CG trailers, and I do believe that NCsoft’s rival them completely. Both in feel, quality, and the pace in which they are set. I also do think it’s entirely freakin’ awesome that your eyes glow menacingly red!

Related posts:

1. New Official Aion Trailer for Patch 1.5 HD
2. Guide to Aion Beta 5
3. Head Start