The Aion Experience

Just a quick post to let you all know I’m going to be a bit lacking in the post department over the next few days. We’re off to see 2012 tonight (SO excited) and then Tuesday we’re off to see Nickelback. So between that, getting Xmas layby’s paid, having my puppy’s first puppy-school class, getting a Verandah installed on Thursday, etc… we’re going to be a little busy lol.

I am hoping to get some Aion time so I can jump back on my Assassin however, I’m missing her a bit. I do have a screenshot Sunday post lined up though, thankyou everyone who’s sent images in, you’ll see them tomorrow (my tomorrow, coz it’s Sat here)… will be general images tomorrow. More bad names next week! Stay tuned!

Oh yes, if you’re interested in Torchlight, feel free to jump over to my other blog (OzGirlGamer.com) as I’m about to post my first play thoughts on that. Dragon Age Origins is already up there if you haven’t read it yet…

As I scan though my Google reader to see what new blog posts have been added, I notice a few themes:

1. There’s the people dinging level 50 in Aion. A lot of them. I really do feel like a slacker at level 22…
2. There’s the posts of people who dinged (dung?) level 50 a few days or weeks ago and are now bored. The PvP scene isn’t what they had hoped, there’s no real WoW style raiding or dungeon crawls and all their friends have already abandoned them.
3. The post Aion player – the players who have already left Aion but can’t seem to leave the game alone long enough to stop bashing it, stating how bad it was for them or generally, how the people left playing it are idiots. /clicks un-follow on that blog.
4. Then, there’s the people, like me, who are just too distracted playing other games. Torchlight, Dragon Age Origins and Fallen Earth seem to be the most popular.

This leads me to ask myself, is Aion dying already? I only have to look at my gaming experience to somewhat answer that – all my fellow WoW guildmates are no longer logging in, even my partner doesn’t really play anymore (granted that’s more to do with out lag frustrations). And even I, who just last week loved the game dearly, have found myself groaning the familiar “urg, not more of this” grinding complaint.

I can’t figure out what the difference between WoW and Aion really is in the earlier levels. Sure Aion has a higher gold sink, more xp required per level etc. But really, aren’t all MMORPG’s pretty similar? Both Aion and WoW give you quests to complete and help you level, both give you loot, money, crafting options etc. What was it about WoW that had me hooked by level 3, yet Aion is still 50/50 at level 22?

I still like the game, I think. I dunno. I can’t decide if I’m clinging to it because it’s the online MMORPG style I’m familiar with, or if because I genuinely do enjoy the game. I wasn’t having much fun when I transitioned from Altguard to Morheim, the jump in mob difficulty was painfully noticeable. No longer was I taking mobs with ease, in fact the very first mobs right after you zone through were dropping me to half health each time. (I was 21, they were 23)

The other night I decided to go and have a look at Brusthonin because it’s apparently meant to be slightly easier. And it was, remarkably so. That is, when I could actually get to a mob. The fact that there is no mob tagging in Aion is one of my biggest leveling frustrations at the moment. I know, over the grind and everything! With my lag, buffing takes me a good 5 seconds, and then there’s the slight delay while Alexan aligns the arrow in her bow and fires it. Most times someone has jumped in and taken my mob by this point, regardless if my arrow lands or not.

I’m a nice player, even though I saw it first, and technically I started attacking first – it’s not my fault my arrows have to travel – I leave the mob to who ever jumped in. The same courtesies are not repaid. Even when I do manage to get the first damaging attack in, if there was a spell caster mid-cast, they keep attacking. Hell, some even go as far as to start attacking a mob I’m already on if they think they can out-damage me! Spending 10 minutes fighting to get a single quest mob is not fun. This didn’t happen in WoW, once you got that first point of damage in, the mob was yours.

During my frustration that was the ridiculous lag, impolite fellow hunters and general Aion loneliness (anyone want to my be friend?), I started to question my time in Aion. How long would I stick around? After retiring from WoW quite a few months ago no, I am desperate for that next big MMORPG that everyone flocks to. Desperate to raid dungeons, kill bosses and generally hang out with my friends online. I miss that feeling of wanting nothing more than to log online right that second. The hating being at work/school/where ever and instead of concentrating, you spend all your time thinking about what you did the night before, and what you might do that night. The complete and utter mind capture that is an awesome game.

Aion… is not that. Not for me. I look forward to playing each night because it means my daughter is asleep and it’s my (attempted) relaxation time. But that’s all. No wanting to log on during the day, no “omg just go to sleep so I can play already” desperation. It’s just… a game. I think the biggest problem for me is that none of my friends continued to play. Everyone I know abandoned the game like it had koodies. The biggest draw to an online game for me is the people. With Aion disappointing so many, I’m left all alone to quest and level. No familiar group members, and no back-up in PvP.

Finding another guild/group is a possibility, but I don’t want another guild. I want my friends, who all went back to/stayed in WoW. A game I’m very much over. For me, for now, I’ll experience the world that is single player games and expand my gaming CV. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play Dragon Age!

Another one of my blogs actually. Those who follow me on twitter (brave souls that you are) might have seen me trying to resist Torchlight and Dragon Age. Well, I can resist no longer and last night installed DA. Faithful readers of this blog however may not care about what I do outside of Aion, so it wouldn’t be fair to post about other games here. Instead, I’ve kicked off another “all gaming” blog – OzGirlGamer.com

As shared on the into post over there, OzGirlGamer (OGG) will house all my comments on, well, what ever I like really. Mostly other games, but occasionally I might throw in a funny link, share an amusing email or post a cool video I found. My Aion posts will still go here of course, OGG will just house everything else.

If you’re curious about what I have to say (doubt it will be anything too thought provoking), want to read about the other gamers or just have the need to fill a few minutes more in your day, feel free to read.

Now… back to finishing my next Aion post!

A couple of weeks ago we mentioned that Veteran Rewards, fine loot destined to fill the treasure chests of our most steadfast Aion players, are on the horizon. The concept is simple: The longer you play our game, the cooler things you get! Aion’s Veteran Rewards will first be available on November 4, and at that point, those of you who have played the game for a month or more will be able to redeem your treats.

The first reward package will contain an Expand Cube Ticket to expand your inventory space, a Pop Legend dance emote to get funky with, four Lodas Amulets to boost your experience gain, and four Revival Stones to bring life and light when things look grim.

Visit our Veteran Rewards page to find out more!

Veteran Rewards FAQ

Q: What do I have to do in order to receive my Veteran Rewards?
A: If you have an active account, you don’t need to do anything except log in to the game. After each one-month milestone, the appropriate Veteran Rewards will be added to your Aion game account and delivered via in-game express mail once they are redeemed.

Q: How do I redeem my Veteran Rewards?
A: Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your NCsoft Master Account.
2. Click the Game Accounts link.
3. Select an Aion game account listed on the Game Accounts page.
4. Click the Apply in-Game Items link in the Action section.
5. Select a server in which you have made a character, and click the Next button.
6. Select a character to receive the Veteran Rewards, and click the Next button.
7. Click the checkbox next to an item pack or packs, and click the Next button.
8. Review the confirmation page, and click the Apply the Items/Item Packs to This Character button.

Once you’ve assigned items to a character, log in to Aion and retrieve the items via in-game express mail.

For additional help, visit our knowledge base.

Q: What is the first day that I can expect my Veteran Rewards to show up?
A: Veteran Rewards will become available on the first day of each subscription month starting with the second month. Your Aion game account page displays your Veteran Rewards time. It indicates which Veteran Rewards month you are eligible for.

Note: The first month’s Veteran Rewards won’t be available until November 4, 2009.

Q: Where can I find out how many months I have played with an active account?
A: Your Aion game account page displays your Veteran Rewards time. It indicates which Veteran Rewards month you are eligible for.

You can view your earned Veteran Rewards time by logging in to your NCsoft Master Account. Click Game Accounts, and select your Aion game account. In the Account section, locate the Veteran Rewards Time section, which indicates the amount of time that you have played with an active account and earned Veteran Rewards for. Your Veteran Rewards time will not always match your total paid time (also displayed in this section) due to promotions you have taken advantage of, game account inactivation and reactivation, and so on.

Q: My account is no longer active. Can I still receive Veteran Rewards?
A: Yes, but the time that your account was inactive does not count toward your Veteran Rewards.

To receive your Veteran Rewards, reactivate your account via credit card, game time card, or another payment method, and the appropriate Veteran Rewards will become available for all of your characters. Just log in to your NCsoft Master Account, redeem the Veteran Rewards, and they will be waiting via in-game express mail.

Q: If I use game time cards, will that count toward my Veteran Rewards?
A: Yes. You are rewarded for the number of months you have an active account, no matter which payment method you choose.

Q: Can I pay for a certain number of months into the future in order to receive my Veteran Rewards now?
A: No. Veteran Rewards are delivered based on the number of months you have had an active account. This only applies to time that as already passed, not the future.

Q: I participated in the Aion closed and open betas, as well as the Head-Start Program period. Does that time count toward my rewards?
A: No. Veteran Rewards are for the number of months a player has had an active account, so the beta and Head-Start Program periods do not count toward accruing Veteran Rewards.

Q: Does the free month that was included with my game purchase count toward my Veteran Rewards time?
A: Yes, the game time included with the purchase of Aion counts as your first month. You’ll be eligible to redeem your first Veteran Rewards on the first day of your second month.

Q: I have multiple Aion game accounts, and some are newer than others. Will my Veteran Rewards for my oldest account apply to my other accounts as well?
A: No. Veteran Rewards are based on each individual Aion game account.

Q: Will each character I have available now or will create in the future be able to redeem each of the Veteran Rewards that I have earned?
A: Yes, you will be eligible to redeem each appropriate month’s Veteran Rewards once for every character you create on a respective Aion account.

Source: http://uk.aiononline.com/veteranrewards/

As an officially licensed partner of NCSoft, J!NX is proud to bring you apparel celebrating the beauty and adventure of Aion.

Check out all of the official Aion apparel by J!NX and while supplies last get an additional Aion Energy Boost Pack to power up your gaming with each Aion J!NX apparel purchase.

J!NX is a clothing brand heavily influenced by video games and geek culture. It’s an immersion into all forms of gaming, tech stuff, the interwebz, cult classic cinema, spaceships, comic books, fantasy, rolling dice, and collecting things. J!NX designs, manufactures and markets unique apparel that enables its customers to demonstrate their intelligence, uniqueness, leadership and wily mischievousness.

*** Update *** For all my readers, order now and as a special bonus, each shirt will come with a special in-game code for an Energy Boost Pack (while supplies last)! How cool!

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!

Last night, Aion Update 1.5.0.10 was released across the servers and the update was simple:

Gender Tag Fix for French and German languages
And Updated Chat Spam Filter

Nothing too exciting there, although the updated chat spam filter did intrigue me, but after a momentary glance I shrugged it off as nothing major. But then, I logged in. I have to give HUGE kudos to Aion for what ever filters they have put in, I can now finally see all the player-written drivel that is “Aion is better than WoW, Chuck Norris said so”. Yipee!

Of course, I would much rather see that sort of spam than the eye-gouging horrendous use of stars and hearts that was this:

The above was CONSTANT and made it impossible to use any of the chat channels – anyone attempting to, had their message lost before it was even read. And what is a MMORPG with no open chat channels for the kiddies to converse in? Where else are they going to learn how not to spell? Graffiti, that’s where. We can’t have that.

This morning, I logged in to see the following:

Ignoring the idiots who don’t understand that LFG is not Let’s Fracking Gassbag and is instead Looking for Group, the silence that is the removed gold spam is well worth the misuse. I’d LOVE to know the furstration that the gold spammers are feeling right now, I hope it’s really ticked them off. Yes, we’re still going to get the occassional one through, and yes they’ll probably still force us to fill up our block list every time they whisper, but this is yet another step forward in improving our gameplay.

The next step I’d personally like to see is the players name on my block list automatically removed when the character is deleted. If NCSoft really are banning accounts by the thousands all the time, then they’re either getting every single character OTHER than the ones that spam me, or the characters are not removed. I think it’s great that blocking a spammer can bring it to the attention of NCSoft, but having to individually remove each of the names when your block list is full can be just as annoying.

Still, in the entire time it’s taken me to write, proof and fix this blog post – not one single letter of gold spam came through the chat channels. Sweet!

— Edited not half an hour later —

I have to laugh as I finished writing this post and made my way from Pandaemonium entrance to the banks, I see the following:

At first I was confused by the message and thought it was one of the slow people unaware that the server queues were no longer a problem. Then I realised they were sitting in-front of someone and I moved closer.

A threesome I’ve never seen before, that’s two players treating the gold seller like a Chinese finger lock and hiding their sales window advertisement. My second kudos for the day goes to Lunatrix and Ambience of the Revelations guilds for spending their time doing this – be they AFK or not. Standing in front of this for a few minutes, it appears as if the gold seller is using a program to have them spam “HEY HEY HEY” every few minutes, supposedly to not get dropped and get some attention.

Oh well, while we wait for NCSoft to come up with a fix for this new trick, I can easily ignore them. I barely notice any store messages unless there’s pretty coloured links in there anyway…

Squirrel Mafia! Strikes fear into the hearts of beefy men the world over!

And it’s also the name of my new legion! Actually it’s not really new as the members are some of the best people from my favourite guild I ever joined back in WoW. Some of the affectionately known “Nubs” were lured over to Aion by reading all the super fantastic stuff I was doing in game here on this very blog. And perhaps a bit just caving to my constant nagging of “When are you cooooooming ooooooover?” =p

Nothing takes a game to the next level of enjoyment better than playing it with your friends. Raiding is fantastic, PvP can be awesome, but if you can combine those activities with having friends by your side, you just can beat it. I’m so very happy to see that familiar green text, even if I do try to type in group every time due to years of /g for guild in WoW lol.

Squirrel Mafia

There you go Itkovian… no longer can you doubt my loyalties to the guild. Here’s your announcement post. Please put the whip down…

Aion is a visual joy to play, especially coming from the cartoon backdrop of WoW, which I loved as well don’t get me wrong. But there is something about the stunning graphics in Aion that really makes it something else. I’ve been trying to remember to screenshot the different things I see on the way up as it’s always fun to go back through your pictures years later and play the memory game. I’ve still got my original EQ screenshots somewhere…

I figured what better way to memorise the images better than to share them with all of you? From this moment on, I now declare Sunday to be Screenshot Sunday!

Click each image to view full size

Greetings,

A lot has happened since I last addressed our community. We’ve launched our long awaited product Aion and have been pleased and challenged with keeping up with the massive player demand.

There’s no doubt that we’ve done some things very well with Aion: the product is polished and incredibly fun. We managed to deploy to North America and Europe within the same week and have experienced strong demand. As most of you are aware, this has come at a cost in the form of queue times. This is by far our biggest challenge and has led to some frustration as players wait to enter their server of choice.

In preparation for Aion’s launch, we ran calculations of our presale numbers with historical conversion ratios and expected concurrency numbers, which led to our determination of launch day server needs. In addition, we had a 25 percent additional capacity in hardware reserve and the ability to increase server population. We’ve further responded to the overwhelming demand by adding additional server worlds in all languages, and still we are working around the clock to address the incredible demand. For example, we’re seeing timeframes where 60 percent or more of our players are playing at any given time. This is a significant event by any MMO standard. Another surprising development is how long players are staying in game—I think that’s a testament to the enjoyable nature of the product.

I’m sure many of you are thinking, “That’s all fine-but how does that help me get in and play the game? What is NCsoft doing for me?” Fair question. First… Read more »