The Aion Experience

I’ve already expressed how excited I am for Harvest Revel to begin, I love in game holidays and none more than Halloween! NCSoft released news yesterday events planned across all six of its active Western games. For those playing them, The Mad King Thorn returns to Guild Wars, Scarecrow Jack visits Lineage II, the original Lineage has a costume party, the City of Heroes faces a Halloween Apocalypse, and Exteel’s Mechnaughts get painted orange and purple.

Of course the only one I am interested in is Aion, and I have to say, it all sounds just way too cool! Since the world is split into two halves, there are two different celebrations which is just too cool! Us Asmodians get to celebrate by going on a Wild Hunt, cooking special dishes and having a good time. The lowly Elyos, on the other hand, get plagued by zombies and of course, they totally deserve it too. =p

What’s piqued my interest today is the updated PowerWiki page that states:

Each day during Harvest Revel players will be rewarded for their investment with new lore and tasty treats including a Halloween Hat and candy that will transform players into in game creatures!

Oooooh. Aaaaaah. Cool! Of course, knowing my luck at the moment I’ll be transformed into one of those Pecku’s… who can just Peck Off! Sorry, having a few issues with them on Alexan at the moment. Lady Danotte is more concerned with turning into a Mumu Farmer… “I’d hate not being able to see my toes past my belly roll.  No wonder you can’t always loot the belt, it’s prolly stuck in there.  Eeeew!”

If you could chose ONE creature to turn into, and ONE not to turn into, what would be your choices?

Yes Please: The Slinks from the starting areas… too cute.

No Thanks: Pecku’s… as explained above lol

I always thoroughly enjoy the in-game events that accompany real life dates such as Easter, Christmas and Valentines Day. I particularly enjoy Halloween events as this is not a holiday celebrated in Australia. Yes, there are a select few that want any excuse to have a party, and of course the greedy snots that see it as nothing more than a reason to ask every neighbour they never said hello to for free candy.

But generally, most Aussies will open their door surprised and confused at any “trick or treats” bellowed at them, it’s just not something we prepare for. That said – Halloween will be the first thing I go ALL OUT for if/when I move to the states! I love what I see on the movies haha.

I am very happy to know that Aion will follow in gaming tradition and make special times, well, special. In WoW it was known as Hallow’s End, and in Aion, it will be known as Harvest Revel!

Official Announcement

During the fall harvest, from time immemorial, the people of Atreia have celebrated the bounty of the land. Years ago, the joy of the annual revels was troubled by an eclipse – a peculiar and magical eclipse that brought darkness to Asmodae and Elysea. Ever since, for days during Harvest Revel, the sky goes dark and the peoples of Atreia join the hunt.

Asmodians find soothing peace during the dark days of the Harvest Revel. They celebrate by racing after the Wild Kurthanir hunt leader during the Wild Hunt and cooking special traditional dishes.

Elyos endure the dark days because during them the dead of Elysea are restless. Undead creatures rise from the grave every few hours, pulled back into a semblance of life by the power of the eclipse. Elyos must join roving Dark Night bands to hunt and destroy the undead before they invade Elyos villages.

Log in each day during Harvest Revel. Celebrate with us and every day rewards your investment with new Aion lore and tasty treats!

Harvest Revel
Begin: October 25, 2009
End: October 31, 2009

May your wings be strong and swift! We’ll see you in Atreia!

As stated by Spooncraft: a perpetual eclipse making the game darker? Awesome! Different experiences for the two factions? Awesome! Lore, candy, and special monsters? TESTIFY!