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    Lesley Smith

    Lesley Smith

    Lesley's life revolves around games and she has gained a reputation for writing about MMOs (where from she is not sure). While she does play WoW a lot (as an Alliance druid named Serisa on EU-Daggerspine), Lesley is not afraid to try other titles, especially if they happen to be Asian in origin. She lives surrounded by manga, DVDs, various consoles and two black cats named Isis and Ceridwen.

  • Everything Aion: Transportation 101

    Transportation is important to any MMO, especially one like Aion which doesn't include the option of a mount. Yes, there are no cats, no horses or flying creatures to ride. It's just you, your feet, your wings and a little magic. Now the starter zones might look small but the main areas are ten times the size which can take a good half an hour to cross, not including time spent dying. Today we're going to have a look at transportation and what you need to know to navigate around. Elysea and Asmodae so join us after the jump to find out the secrets of travel in Aion.

  • Everything Aion: Flight 101

    Flight is probably the thing which has drawn most people to Aion. The idea of soaring high above the cloud on a pair of white/black-feathered wings is a universally appealing one. The reality, however, is a little different. Flight in Aion is not something you can do immediately nor indefinitely and the rules for this are not just to be annoying, they are a part of the game's world and lore. Join us after the jump when we look at everything you need to know about using your wings.

  • Everything Aion: Five things you need to know about surviving in Atreia

    With NCsoft's release of Aion coming up on the 22nd and 25th September in North America and Europe, we thought we had better give you the basics on the land of Atreia ahead of the open beta which begins today. So, we're going to give you all the info you need to dive into their beautifully detailed world. After the jump, we're going to look at the five things you need to know if you've never played Aion before.

  • NCsoft and DC Comics announce Aion comic book

    NCsoft and DC Comics have teamed up to create a limited edition comic based on Aion which focuses on the Asmodian Daeva Aiva. She might look familiar as her image is used to advertise the game and a statue of her will also be found in the Collector's Edition when Aion is released later this month. "Aiva's Story" is the work of artist Neil Googe and writers David Noonan and Ricardo Sanchez. Aiva's life is torn apart when her family is killed by an Elyos raiding party. Embittered, she endures a harsh life as a mercenary, fighting Karnifs and the Mau. She brings with her a festering hatred for the white-winged Elyos, eventually ascending to Daevahood and is posted to the Abyss. The comic book will be available (albeit in limited quantities) at the Aion booth at this weekend's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle but fans will also be able to get their hands on a copy by purchasing the game at GameStop in the US and Electronic Boutique stores in Canada..You can check out our gallery below to see the cover art in it's full glory, as well as some internal artwork.%Gallery-71519% Want to know more about Aion? NCsoft invites you into the world of Atreia where the Elyos and the Asmodians fight each other and the evil Balaur for control of the shattered planet. Check out out all our coverage of this must-play MMO!

  • Age of Conan devs release their August newsletter

    The devs over at Age of Conan have just posted their August newsletter on the game's official website. In it they look back over the last month and the announcement of the new AoC expansion, Rise of the Godslayer, as well as clarifying some titbits about the new expansion. This includes thanking players for their feedback and explaining why they chose to venture to Khitai (the Conan-version of China) over other lands featured in the original books. The devs also touch on the fascinating subject of world design and how player feedback has shaped the new armor they are working on.The most interesting nugget in the newsletter is a sneak peak at what the immediate future holds for AoC in the form of the 1.06 update. This includes the possibility of splitting the update into parts rather than deluging players with a giant patch. They also look at the new level 80 dungeon, the House of Crom, the Veterans System and Tier Three Raiding. So if you're an AoC player excited about the new expansion and the next big update, you might want to head over to the official site and check out the newsletter for yourself.

  • Devs spill the beans on LEGO Universe

    Wired.com's GeekDad blogger Curtis Silver has taken some time to sit down with LEGO Universe's Producer, Ryan Seabury, and the games development team. The lengthy interview was posted earlier this week and really gets under the skin of this odd little MMO. Silver also snagged two new exclusive screenshots and states that "LEGO Universe will bridge the generational gap between geek parents and geek kids". After all, who doesn't love LEGO?The interview itself is really quite in-depth. Silver asks, for example, if we will be able to play as Batman or other characters from the LEGO franchise videogames (no). Additionally, the piece also goes into what kind of gameplay and building we can expect and what sort of PC you're going to need to play it. The dev team seem to be aiming at a wide audience from geeks young and old to kids experiencing LEGO for the first and their parents. Indeed from the interview it certainly sounds awfully promising:"Whether you're brand-new to LEGO construction or an expert brick builder, whether you like to follow the instructions or just go crazy making up your own creations, you'll be able to use bricks to build virtual LEGO models both on your own and with other players. You'll be helping to create and customize the worlds of LEGO Universe as you play. You'll be able to chat, team up for quests, build amazing LEGO creations together, and choose whether to cooperate or compete as you complete fun and creative challenges ... or adventure and build all on your own if that's your thing. How you play in LEGO Universe is up to you."[Thanks Hector!]

  • Aion open beta client now available for download

    Aion's open beta is officially on the way so everybody will be able to sample the delights of Atreia between September 6th and 13th. Ahead of this, NCsoft has announced the availability of the Aion beta client. The client can now be downloaded from various corners of the internet, including FilePlanet and GamersHell, but the company has also announced they are making it available via BitTorrent.Despite its shady reputation as the medium of choice for file-sharers and illegal downloads, BitTorrent itself is quite legal. Indeed it's a popular method of downloading files which has been embraced by numerous companies over the years. However, if you still want to use traditional methods, NCsoft has also announced that FilePlanet will be giving away a selection of open beta keys beginning Tuesday, September 1st. But anyone who has pre-ordered the game or won a full beta key from a competition just have to bid their time until the open beta begins.

  • NCsoft announces Aion NA and EU open beta details

    There have been rumblings for weeks about an open beta for Aion, NCsoft's latest MMO and the company has finally confirmed details about what we can expect. North American and European gamers who may not have gotten access to the Closed Beta Tests will get an opportunity to sample Aion, exploring the beautiful world of Atreia as either an Asmodian or Elyos. The beta will take place between September 6th – 13th and will include the new Westernised character customization options, as well as a chance to see The Shadow of Balaur, the newest patch which was added to the Korean version of the game in August.As with the final CBTs, the open beta will have a level cap of 30, which means new players to the game can experience ascension to Daevahood as well as the PvPvE area known as the Abyss. Gamers who pre-ordered Aion will also get access to the pre-select and a two-day headstart before the game officially launches on September 22nd in the US and the 25th in Europe. The pre-select will take place on September 18, while Aion's headstart period will begin September 20. So if you want to take part, it might be wise to pre-order now, especially given the new Guild Wars cross promotion we told you about earlier in the week.

  • NCsoft announces its PAX plans

    It's nearly September which means the Penny Arcade Expo is swiftly approaching. Taking place between September 4th-6th in Seattle, PAX is fast becoming the new must-attend convention for all sections of the industry, from developers to publishers and gamers. NCsoft has just announced their plans for this year's convention and this focuses on their three big IPs: Aion, Guild Wars 2 and City of Heroes.NCsoft will once again have booths at the event, one per game. On the Aion front, they will be showing the latest build of the game, which includes patch 1.5 (aka The Shadow of the Balaur). Producer Brian Knox and Associate Producer Lani Blazier will also be on hand at booth #642. At the Guild Wars 2 booth (#842), there will be Q and As with the Live Team, a talk on the upcoming novel The Fall of Ascalon and the chance to win a 128 page Art of Guild Wars 2 artbook. Finally at the City of Heroes booth (#542) you can take a peek at the new update ("Power Spectrum") and nab a special PAX Costume Power code. There will also be a player meet up on the Saturday night (September 5th) hosted by the Online Community Relations team, for more information on that click here.

  • NCsoft launch Aion and Guild Wars emote cross promotion

    Everyone loves wings right? That's one of the reasons Aion appeals so much. Well NCsoft has launched a little cross promotion based on that fact. Essentially it boils down to this: if you buy a first edition of Aion (either the steelbook or the shiny Collector's Edition) you'll get a special emote which will be tied to your account. This will then allow you to summon a pair of wings in Guild Wars! Unfortunately the wings are purely cosmetic, your Guild Wars avatar won't be able to take to the air but the wings will move and look awfully authentic (as seen in the image to your left). The emote itself can be triggered by typing /aion in any Guild Wars title. Before you ask, it's completely free, has unlimited uses and will become active on September 22nd, the day Aion launches in North America. However it is worth stressing that the code can only be gained by getting physical versions of the game, not through digital download. The code emote is also available to gamers both in North America and Europe and will be tied to your account forever. For more information on how to get and redeem your emote, as well as check out what it will look like, click here.

  • EVE Online Summer Buddy Program concluding, chance to win a trip to Fanfest

    September is just a few days away and so the folks at CCP Games are keen to remind players that their Summer Buddy Program for EVE Online will conclude on September 1st. Why is this so important? Well, aside from introducing your pals to the world's biggest sci fi MMO, you are also in with a chance to win a trip to this year's Fanfest in Iceland for you and your friend as well as a trip to CCP's head office. The full prize is the following: Two return flight tickets from any destination that Icelandair flies to for you and your EVE Online buddy. Hotel Accommodation in Reykjavik from Sept, 30, 2009 to Oct, 04, 2009 Airport – Hotel transport in Reykjavik Two Fanfest VIP passes Organized visit to CCP HQ offices in Reykjavik All you need to do is have an active EVE account and start spreading the word, just get them signed up with a buddy account and then cross your fingers. If you do win, you can choose who you take with you, either a friend you introduced to the game or any of your online pals on Tranquility. So enter now before it's too late!

  • NCsoft posts epic video interview with Aion Lead Designer Yongchan Jee

    GamesCom is in full swing with NCsoft taking full advantage of social networking, from twittering about their activities to streaming video on Facebook in order to promote their newest MMO. Aion has been the talk of the show with everything from an eye-catching booth and drool-worthy swag to live theatre (a must-see even if the acting is cringe-worthy) to an interview with the Korean development team. Associate Producer Lani Blazier took to the stage to put the audience's questions to Aion's Lead Designer Yongchan Jee in an epic seventy minute video. This includes discussing the origins of the combat system and PvPvE, what makes Aion different from other games like WoW and Lord of the Rings Online to offering advice for would-be games designers. The interview itself is great because it's not just all about the English devs, instead we're getting to the source and a chance to listen to direct answers from one of the creators of 2009's most anticipated MMO. Check out the full video after the jump.

  • NCsoft dev discusses the genesis of Aion at GDC Europe

    Aion dev Yongchan Jee spilled the beans on the game's origins as part of a GDC Europe Q and A session. Gamasutra were on hand to find out what exactly makes the game stand out in Korea. This included addressing a gap in the market for 'AAA' titles after the release of Lineage II and World of Warcraft, as well as focusing on a faction warfare angle which sees the two player-controlled races of the Elyos and the Asmodians fighting against each other and the terrifying Balaur. Jee also discussed how the game was rebooted in 2006 and while this did affect the moral of the developers, it ultimately allowed them to start from scratch and create a truly memorable game.Lee also focused on the character customisation, discussing the concepts of beautiful and ugly characters in MMOs like World of Warcraft, where Korean players often favour the Alliance over the Horde. He also explained why the devs chose to create Aion as a zone-based MMO over a seamless world. Aion fans should definitely check out Gamasutra's write up for even more hints at Aion's gestation and conception.

  • GamesCom offers a closer look at the Sith Warrior class

    It seems Star Wars: The Old Republic is the next big thing. We've been raving about it for months and this week's GamesCom gave the press and, more importantly, the public a chance to get down and dirty with BioWare's biggest project to date. IGN took the time to nip to the Jedi Temple and revealed that BioWare were spoiling attendees with a brand spanking new demo focusing on the Sith, specifically the Warrior class. Indeed they report this demo was basically a back to basics with this mysterious sect, focusing on their training on Korriban – could this be their starter area? They report it examines their mentality and beliefs within the Star Wars universe. After all, if you're going to roll a Sith you need to understand how their minds work as well as taking them down pits and killing giant worms. The piece is amazingly detailed and does more than enough to whet the appetites of Star Wars fans as well as Team Massively. Check it out by clicking here and you might want to start thinking up evil-sounding names while you're at it.

  • WAR reveals details on its Wild Hunt live event

    Mythic Entertainment has announced detailed plans for Warhammer Online's upcoming first anniversary in the form of a series of in-game events beginning with the Wild Hunt where six players will be able to pit their wits against Kurnous, the God of the Hunt, in a new instance called the Hunter's Vale, which we told you about earlier this month. Taking inspiration from the ancient Celtic myth of Herne and the Wild Hunt, the event takes place from 31st August until 7th September. As well as the Hunter's Vale, players will also be able to chase down a mystic white stag in order to gain a special buff and the favour of the God as well as proving themselves able huntsmen. The Wild Hunt marks the first of a series of special events planned with special versions of the Mourkain Temple (September 11th-14th), Gates of Ekrund (September 18th-21th) and Temple of Isha (September 25th -28th) scenarios."This anniversary marks a major milestone for WAR, the Mythic development team, and our fantastic community of players," Jeff Hickman, WAR's Executive Producerm said. "We could think of no better way of marking this occasion than by celebrating our success with our fans for the entire month of September. We've got new content to share with the Wild Hunt live event, special versions of popular scenarios, and a 20% experience and renowned bonus, plus, players can get special rare drops, veteran rewards, fireworks, Halfling pies, and exploding stout! Now that is a party Warhammer style!"

  • LEGO Universe screenshots reveal a first look at LEGO MMO

    As all gamers know, LEGO is big business having created successful games out of franchises like Batman, Star Wars and, of course, Indiana Jones. Well now it's venturing into MMO territory (yes we're also trying to get our heads around it too) with NetDevil's LEGO Universe. The company has just revealed a few screenshots showing character customisation and three of the sets (focusing on pirates, space and ninjas) but for fans of the console games this may very well be the MMO for you. LEGO Universe is scheduled to be released on PC in 2010 and does seem to capture everything we loved about the bricks in a game, whether it pays off as an MMO remains to be seen. To judge for yourself, check out all the images here.[Via Shacknews]

  • NCsoft reveals Aion's Priest subclass: the Cleric

    It seems with rumblings of an open beta reverberating through the interweb, Aion is never far from the thoughts of the avid MMO player or Team Massively. NCsoft just sent through a new (and shiny) batch of lovely Cleric-centric screenshots for your perusal. Focusing on the first of two subclasses, Clerics are healers who use "the power of magic to strengthen allies and heal their wounds. They can resurrect their allies. They are formidable opponents in melee when using a mace and a shield."Focusing on a rather gruff-looking Elyos, a dainty female Asmodian with scary eyes and another Asmodian sporting what looks like a new set of wings, the images are pure eye candy. Got beta withdrawal symptoms yet? Well check out our gallery below and hang on in there. Over the coming weeks we'll be bringing even more Aion news your way as we hurtle towards the much anticipated launch.%Gallery-70359%

  • The Daily Grind: How many MMOs do you play at one time?

    MMOs tend to have dedicated fan bases and everyone has their favourite: Aion, City of Heroes, WoW, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online ... the list goes on and on. Everyone has their own personal favourite or the hip one that everyone and their pet goldfish is currently engrossed in. For example, I'm renowned for my adoration of the gorgeous Korean MMO that is Aion as well as my passion for WoW. Personally, these are the only two MMOs which do it for me enough that I will spend copious amounts of time exploring, questing and flying around pretty aimlessly. So two is my limit, I will occasionally play a couple extra, if I have to review something or a beta comes up but there's often little to keep me going past that. Yet Aion and WoW remain, filling the void and I couldn't be happier. Especially as there's more than enough happening between the two of them at the moment to keep me very busy. So I'm wondering, ever constant readers, how many MMOs do you juggle on a regular basis? Answer in the usual way by dropping your thoughts into the comment box below.

  • NCsoft announces Aion has gone gold, now being manufactured

    Aion, NCsoft's latest MMO that is due to launch in the US and Europe next month, has just gone gold, the company has announced. For those not in the know, this means the game has been completed and is now being manufactured for release. Yes, that's it, the game is done. This comes after Aion has topped Steam's weekly sales chart and the Collector's Edition has almost sold out in the UK. The announcement hits just a few days before GamesCom 2009 in Cologne, Germany where NCsoft will be demoing version 1.5 of the game, which includes The Shadow of the Balaur content patch that was released in Korea on August 5th. NCsoft will also be demoing this latest version of the game at this year's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle and it will also be included with the North American and European versions of the game when Aion is released on September 22nd/25th. The Shadow of the Balaur promises new zones, instances, quests and some specially created Western looks within the expansive character customisation system.

  • Aion Elyos and Asmodian origin videos revealed

    With the sixth and final Closed Beta Test for NCsoft's newest title, Aion, beginning later today. Things are starting to get really interesting. YouTube is a haven for all things video, especially when it comes to gaming and a look at those which aren't yet out. Well, a Hungarian fansite has uncovered the Elyos and Asmodians origin videos and posted them on their Youtube channel. Both videos are short but packed with lore and done in a similar style to the Aion origins video we told you about last month. Told from the perspective of a member of each race, the two videos narrate the first meeting of the Elyos and the Asmodians after years of separation. The Elyos blundered through a rift and a simple misunderstanding, perceived differently by each side, led to the start of a bitter feud. The Elyos believed the Asmodians were corruptions and that both them and their land must be destroyed, while the Asmodians feel it is their right to conquer the Elyos and their lush land simply because they believe they – and their Shedim Lords – were the ones who saved Atreia from complete destruction during the Cataclysm.Juicy stuff, eh? Well check out the videos in their complete Korean glory after the jump (click on cc to get the English subtitles).