With Aion's huge 3.0 expansion, Aion: Ascension, launching today, combined with the fact that they went "Truly Free" a week back, there's no doubt that there will be hundreds of thousands of players getting a little overwhelmed with all these new features coming. Of course, you can trust NCsoft to rectify that in the most community involved way possible, as NCsoft's Producer, Adam Christensen has created a fantastic introductory guide to Aion: Ascension. Let's get on with the guide!
NCsoft's big campaign for Aion's big F2P shift is finally coming into its end stages as they have just announced that, after today's maintenance, all subscription models will be changed from Standard to "Truly Free," with all current, future, or recurring subscription billing being stopped. Any accounts with remaining game time will also be converted into NCoin at a rate of 40 NCoin per remaining day you've paid for. For more details, you can read the "Truly Free FAQ" on the Aion website.
It should also be noted that Aion: Ascension will not be launching today, as it has already been reported that update 3.0 will be launching on April 11th, 2012. Still, if you're going to be starting over on Aion's new Kahrun server, you'll probably need more than a week to hit the point where you can actually enjoy the endgame content that Aion: Ascension will bring. Safe flying, Daevas!
Aion is in the middle of its conversion to Truly Free, what they're calling their new free-to-play system, and the producer Adam Christiansen takes the time to explain some of it. And he says some good stuff. All content will be available to free players, the purpose of going free to play was to attract users, the story of Aion will advance with the new patch, the purpose behind the new level cap, and the addition of housing and mounts.
We reported last month that Aion would be going "Truly Free" in North America, and it looks like April 11, 2012 will be when that happens. While there are no concrete details about what NCsoft plans to sell in the Aion microtransaction store, they are introducing a brand new microtransaction feature they call the "Customizable User Bundling Experience" (C.U.B.E.), which allows players to build their own bundle with microtransaction purchases. With multiple C.U.B.E. sizes available and purchase bonuses depending on what C.U.B.E. size is picked up, these DIY bundles will give players a build-a-bear level of microtransaction customization but with perfectly tailored in-game packages. rather than hideous bears with terrifying self-recorded voice boxes, as the final product.
The Atreian Atlas, an in-game guide to leveling, lore, and questing, will also be making its debut with Ascension, so for anyone who feels daunted by the sheer amount of new content already in the game and being introduced with Ascension, just turn to the Atlas and hope it can guide you home.
Ascension will also be bringing a new level cap of 60 with more than 600 new quests being added in, as well as two new zones, Sarpan and Tiamaranta, six new instances, player housing, and mounts. If you're keen to hear more, be sure to check out the Aion: Ascension trailer below, or head over to the Aion Online 3.0 Feature Guide to Ascension.
Aion has rolled out the details of its "Rallying The Troops" event, which gives veteran players the opportunity to get a free Daevonian Armor set, two weeks of free activation time (from February 27th to March 12th), and more relics & medals from Fortress loot drops.
New recruits will also be able to play Aion up to the new level cap of 40 (for free!), and if they should subscribe before March 12th, they'll also receive a free Daevanion Armor set.
Finally, players who are currently playing the game will also receive a Free Daevanion Armor set and boosted relic & medal drops from Fortress loot drops.
Throughout all weekends, players will also be able to enjoy +100% EXP rates, and 30% more Abyss Points and Crucible Insignias. It looks like NCsoft really wants players checking out the game as they get ready to roll out their F2P services.
We now know that the EU version of Aion will make the transition to a free-to-play model by the end of February. This will allow you and your friends to experience the entire world of Atreia with no monthly cost for registration and the game client.
New members coming to the game, however, will have some limitations regarding trading and chat amongst others. Those who wish to unlock the game in its fullest potential, as well as receive some various bonuses, can upgrade to the Gold Pack. For all existing players that have already paid for an Aion subscription - whether it's still active or not - will receive Veteran status and will enjoy a very similar status as the Gold Pack members. To gain this status you must allow your account to be transferred to the new Gameforge server. For instructions on how to do this, be sure to check out the FAQ. Some F2P details are below:
And the news is out! In a fresh press release, NCsoft has announced that their upcoming 3.0 update, Aion: Ascension, will not only be adding a plethora of content to the game, but it will also herald Aion's big shift to their "Truly Free" business model! Much like their "Truly Free" push for Lineage II, Aion: Ascension's new F2P model will grant players access to the entire game, including the two major expansions, Assault on Balaurea and The Promised Lands.
While it may have been an inevitable conclusion ever since NCsoft announced that Aion Europe would be going Free-to-Play back in December, this still comes as great news for Daevas around the world. Also, if you just can't wait for Aion to make its big shift this Spring, NCsoft is also rolling out a "Rallying the Troops" event, where new players can play on a no time limit trial up to level 40, and returning players will have a free 14 days of time to jump back in. In the meantime, check out Aion's touching new trailer heralding their upcoming changes. You can also read up on the lore of Ascension on the official Aion website.
It seems that death might be coming to Aion! In what was a very unusual and melancholy teaser, NCSoft has released what some are calling the "Death of Aion" trailer. The entire teaser focuses on a girl's life flashing before her eyes right after being eclipsed by a massive shadow.
While this could be perceived to some as a the end of Aion, a more sensible meaning is that there is a looming darkness making it's way to the world of Atreia. Some are speculating a potential 3.0 release or maybe even a F2P transition. Either way, craft your own opinion by watching the trailer below.
Mark the day on your calendars, people! January 25, 2012 marks the end of Aion's Veteran Reward system! After 28 months of giving out awesome veteran rewards, NCsoft is planning to put a stop to this program with the advent of update 3.0. You will have up to the end of February to claim all of your rewards, so make sure you do so before the change sets in!
As of this writing, there is no indication that a new Veteran Reward System or one similar to it will take its place, although the team stresses that they have "many exciting plans in the works for Aion," including play housing and new mounts!
You gotta give credit where it's due: those marketing heads at NCsoft really know how to dress up a Double EXP / Double Drop weekend event with fancy words! Aion's Atreian Winter Festival is landing for the month of January, and with it comes, well, Double EXP / Double Drop weekends for January 13 - 16, January 20 - 23, and January 27 - 30.
I suppose you could say that this particular event derives its "Winter Festival" motif from the Daru Fur Set that is currently on sale for a limited time in the NCsoft store for a mere $9.99. This offer will only be available from January 11 - February 1, so if you want to maximize your celebration partaking, consider picking up the Daru Fur Set and then going out to level up / hunt for loot every weekend. Super celebrations!
