NCsoft’s Aion pre-orders near 400,000 mark

NCsoft has proclaimed Aion is the biggest MMO launch of the year and a must-have game this holiday season. The company is basing these lofty claims on the latest preorder figures for its newest massively multiplayer online game, Aion, which is nearing 400,000 preorders.

NCsoft says, as a bonus to the nearly 400,000 players who have preordered their copy of Aion, will be treated to server Pre-Selection (beginning tomorrow - September 18) and a two-day Headstart period (beginning September 20) allowing them to get a jump start on their exploration and progression prior to the official launch on September 22. Players can still participate in Aion’s Pre-Selection and Headstart programs by preordering the game through several participating online and brick-and-mortar retailers, including the NCsoft Store, Amazon, Best Buy, EB Games Canada, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Steam and Target.

For more information about Aion check out www.aiononline.com.

Two chances to play the Aion beta in Sept., says NCsoft

NCsoft announced today that, in the next four weeks, it will give North American and European gamers two opportunities to jump into the world of Aion and explore Atreia as Asmodian or Elyos characters ahead of its release in North America on September 22 and in Europe September 25. Aion’s Open Beta Test featuring the version 1.5 (which will be highlighted at PAX in September) will take place September 6 – 13 and will include numerous Western enhancements, including improvements to Aion’s character customization 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 preordered Aion will be treated to a Pre-Select and a two-day Headstart period giving them the opportunity to explore, organize and progress through the game prior to the official launch. Pre-Select will take place on September 18, while Aion’s Headstart will begin September 20. Players can still participate in the Aion’s Pre-Select and Headstart programs by preordering the game through several participating online and brick-and-mortar retailers, including Aiononline.com, Amazon, Best Buy, EB Games Canada, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Steam and Target.

Aion gold, ready for launch Sept. 22

NCsoft announced that its latest MMORPG, Aion, has completed its North American development cycle and has been released to manufacturing. Aion will be released in North America on Sept. 22. In advance of the game’s launch, Aion will be showcased at both GamesCom 2009 in Cologne, Germany, as well as the Penny Arcade Expo 2009 in Seattle, Washington. Both events will feature exclusive hands-on access to the 1.5 version of the game, which has yet to be unveiled to Western audiences. This version of the game introduces several new enhancements, including continued improvements to Aion’s character customization system that includes a host of Western styles, as well as new zones, instances, skills, quests and continued game balancing and improvements.

Aion has already built decent momentum among gamers across Europe and North America, with more than three million hours of gameplay logged in the game’s closed best testing. Additionally, the Limited Collector’s Edition version of the game is nearly sold out at retailers, and Aion is currently on the best-seller lists for PC games weeks ahead of the game’s launch.

Aion is available for pre-order from several participating online and brick-and-mortar retailers, including Aiononline.com, Amazon, Best Buy, EB Games Canada, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Steam and Target. For more information about Aion go to www.aiononline.com.

New Aion community features revealed

NCsoft suggested two new new ways to explore and learn about the world of Aion ahead of the game’s launch on September 22. The first way is the freshly launched Aion PowerWiki, home to information on every aspect of Aion. The second way is the revamped website, Aiononline.com.

The PowerWiki offers Aion knowledge and information designed as an easy reference tool for players, providing detailed game information in sections for beginners and experts. Players will find a play guide, as well as a search function to easily find and filter needed information. Advanced players will benefit from a regularly updated wiki platform and discussions on in-game issues, as well as a detailed questing guide.

The Aion community will play a major role in not only the PowerWiki’s success, but earn rewards for participation. For example, with Aion Answers, players can ask questions and earn points for in-game use by simply getting involved in the community. In addition, players of all experience levels will soon be able to use an integrated Character Viewer to read about a specific character’s exploits and style.

To visit the Aion PowerWiki webpage, visit powerwiki.na.aiononline.com/aion.

Guild Wars: 6 Million Strong

NCsoft has sold 6 million units of its popular online focused action RPG franchise, Guild Wars, to date. That includes all the expansions that have been released as well. The game launched in 2005. Of all of NCsoft’s games, Guild Wars has proven to be the most successful in North America. The game will turn 4 years old on April 28.

On a related note NCsoft’s games are now available for purchase on Steam. Games like Guild Wars (and all the expansions), Lineage 1 and Lineage II, City of Heroes and more can now be purchased via Valve’s digital distribution channel. NCsoft also announced that the MMO Aion: The Tower of Eternity will be available on Steam it is released in the United States and Europe this fall.

Of course, if you are not a fan of Steam you can still buy these games at retail, directly from the company, or at other digital distribution channels like Direct2Drive.