Dates Announced for Aion's Open Beta, Pre-Select and Headstart Programs
Players are now one step closer to the release of the year's biggest massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, Aion.


Within the next four weeks, NCsoft will treat European and North American gamers to two opportunities to jump into the world of Aion and explore Atreia as Asmodian or Elyos characters ahead of its release in Europe on 25nd September and North America 22th September. Aion’s Open Beta Test featuring version 1.5 will take place 6-13th September and will include numerous Western enhancements, including improvements to Aion’s innovative character customisation with a host of Western styles, as well as new zones, instances, skills, quests and continued game balancing and improvements. Open Beta will retain a level cap for both Elyos and Asmodians characters at 30 allowing players to focus on getting to the same level so they can explore the lands of Atreia together, as well as the Abyss.

Players who have pre-ordered Aion will be treated to a Pre-Select and a two-day Headstart period giving them the opportunity to explore, organise and progress through the game prior to the official launch. Pre-Select will take place on 18th September, while Aion’s Headstart will begin 20th September. Players can still participate in the Aion’s Pre-Select and Headstart programs by pre-ordering the game through several participating online and brick-and-mortar retailers. For a complete list please go to www.aiononline.com.

Unlike any MMO before it, Aion is a uniquely crafted online experience where flight offers much more than just a way to explore the landscape – it is a strategic and integral part of combat, quests, and exploration. Players will dive into battle and plunge through thousands of unique, story-driven quests, all while trying to save a world literally shattered in half from centuries of brutal conflict. Using one of the most flexible and in-depth character customisation systems ever featured in an MMO, players will be able to create genuinely distinct characters and explore a visually stunning world of ethereal beauty brimming with otherworldly inhabitants, mysterious enemies, and ancient secrets.

Sweet - I meet all the requirements for early start on both accounts - gona play some Asmo ass in OB to see how the other half live...

Test out some Chr creation etc

Thanks for the great news Hyo

Again, they are talking strictly about 2 day headstart, once again not stating clearly how long is the EU headstart going to be. I hate that, they do it every time. And if they dont, they write it so stupid way, that it can be understood differently... Fucking americans, always overlooking EU.

Anyway: Yay, 2 days of playing with char creating

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

Again, they are talking strictly about 2 day headstart, once again not stating clearly how long is the EU headstart going to be. I hate that, they do it every time. And if they dont, they write it so stupid way, that it can be understood differently... Fucking americans, always overlooking EU.

Anyway: Yay, 2 days of playing with char creating

You recon European pre-select and headstart is later than in the US then?

So 20th for Pre-select and 22nd for headstart?

{deleted post} Grimm wrote:

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

Again, they are talking strictly about 2 day headstart, once again not stating clearly how long is the EU headstart going to be. I hate that, they do it every time. And if they dont, they write it so stupid way, that it can be understood differently... Fucking americans, always overlooking EU.

Anyway: Yay, 2 days of playing with char creating

You recon European pre-select and headstart is later than in the US then?

So 20th for Pre-select and 22nd for headstart?

". Pre-Select will take place on 18th September, while Aion’s Headstart will begin 20th September"

I think it is for everyone.

{deleted post} Grimm wrote:

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

Again, they are talking strictly about 2 day headstart, once again not stating clearly how long is the EU headstart going to be. I hate that, they do it every time. And if they dont, they write it so stupid way, that it can be understood differently... Fucking americans, always overlooking EU.

Anyway: Yay, 2 days of playing with char creating

You recon European pre-select and headstart is later than in the US then?

So 20th for Pre-select and 22nd for headstart?

No, I meant it in general. They never stated clearly, that EU headstart begins on 25th by their own. Ppl always had to ask them repeatedly until they actually confirmed anything. This goes pretty much for everything EU related... Another example being some stuff about Aion distribution in Eastern Europe. Aion is supposed to be provided in Russia and nearby countries by 3rd party and there are rumors, that Aion will be blocking IPs from these countries (eg. Latvia, Estonia and even Balcan countries). They never stated clearly if there will be some kind of blocking... They are simply overlooking EU, it makes me mad.

But to the topic and to avoid further confusin: After many cross questioning, they said that EU headstart will be on 20th as well, so there.

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

{deleted post} Grimm wrote:

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

Again, they are talking strictly about 2 day headstart, once again not stating clearly how long is the EU headstart going to be. I hate that, they do it every time. And if they dont, they write it so stupid way, that it can be understood differently... Fucking americans, always overlooking EU.

Anyway: Yay, 2 days of playing with char creating

You recon European pre-select and headstart is later than in the US then?

So 20th for Pre-select and 22nd for headstart?

No, I meant it in general. They never stated clearly, that EU headstart begins on 25th by their own. Ppl always had to ask them repeatedly until they actually confirmed anything. This goes pretty much for everything EU related... Another example being some stuff about Aion distribution in Eastern Europe. Aion is supposed to be provided in Russia and nearby countries by 3rd party and there are rumors, that Aion will be blocking IPs from these countries (eg. Latvia, Estonia and even Balcan countries). They never stated clearly if there will be some kind of blocking... They are simply overlooking EU, it makes me mad.

But to the topic and to avoid further confusin: After many cross questioning, they said that EU headstart will be on 20th as well, so there.

I frequent a Russian board and they are indeed trying to IP block Eastern EU countries from normal EU servers and regioning those via the 3rd parties you mention which seems crazy imo

But yeah - in any MMO by most companies, it really pisses me off that we are always treated like a second class citizen when compared to US

gief open beta nao plx. *twitch*

Hello,

There is no IP blocking in place that will prevent you from playing on the European servers, but you will need a European copy of Aion. I believe that Lithuania is in the Russian Aion service area, so you may not be able to find the European version of Aion locally. You'll probably be able to find keys and time cards at the same online shops you used for L2. I hope this helps clear things up. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Regards,
GM Peldor

http://www.aionsource.com/forum/980144-post295.html

Thats good news.

How do you know if you are going to have access to pre-select?

{deleted post} Wake wrote:

How do you know if you are going to have access to pre-select?

Preorder = preselect

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

{deleted post} Wake wrote:

How do you know if you are going to have access to pre-select?

Preorder = preselect

I thought headstart = preorder, or is headstart = collectors edition then? I feel like im being really dense right now though lol

If you have ANY beta key You will be in the open beta between 6'th and 13'th September.

If you have a PRE ORDER key you will be able to make a character and select your server on the 19'th of september.

If you have a PRE ORDER key you will be able to take part in the head start on the 20'th of september and get your in game items.

If you have a COLLECTORS EDITION you will be able to claim your collectors edition stuff after you punch in your CD key that is in the box.

Every edition is exactly the same until release day when people either punch in a standard edition key or a CE key. Up until then everyone who pre ordered are exactly the same.

Aha, I understand now! Thanks!

{deleted post} Jinnee wrote:

No, I meant it in general. They never stated clearly, that EU headstart begins on 25th by their own. Ppl always had to ask them repeatedly until they actually confirmed anything. This goes pretty much for everything EU related... Another example being some stuff about Aion distribution in Eastern Europe. Aion is supposed to be provided in Russia and nearby countries by 3rd party and there are rumors, that Aion will be blocking IPs from these countries (eg. Latvia, Estonia and even Balcan countries). They never stated clearly if there will be some kind of blocking... They are simply overlooking EU, it makes me mad.

But to the topic and to avoid further confusin: After many cross questioning, they said that EU headstart will be on 20th as well, so there.

I'm still confused, if the EU headstart is same as in the US, that means we get to play 5 days before its release on the 25th? And pre-select a week before..

{deleted post} Grimm wrote:

I'm still confused, if the EU headstart is same as in the US, that means we get to play 5 days before its release on the 25th? And pre-select a week before..

Yes...

Preselection EU 18'th.
Headstart EU 20'th.
Release EU 25'th.

{deleted post} Sterling wrote:

{deleted post} Grimm wrote:

I'm still confused, if the EU headstart is same as in the US, that means we get to play 5 days before its release on the 25th? And pre-select a week before..

Yes...

Preselection EU 18'th.
Headstart EU 20'th.
Release EU 25'th.

That's great! 5 days headstart, but then again I guess a lot of people have pre-ordered the game any way.