I'm not sure if I should be posting this here but here goes:
First, allow me to apologise for the poor translations. I translated the Q&A with the Aion developers from a Chinese site but they have acknowledged that it is not complete, so someone might want to translate the full Q&A from the Korean site they got it from and correct any errors I might have posted here... Meanwhile, enjoy! ~ ^_^
Korean Sources:
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http://info.gamechosun.co.kr/community_b...sid=410168
Q: What is the focus in CBT3? Will there be deletion of characters and other information?
A: The focus will be on the Abyss, hence CBT2 data will not be deleted.
Q: Is the Abyss completed?
A: It is completed and will be revealed during CBT3. There will be testing of the details of the time portal also. (The portal between the Elyos and Asmodean areas that each race can go through and use to attack the other.)
Q: Will new areas be unveiled?
A: Yes, including previously released areas that were revealed in 2006. However, these areas have been heavily altered hence look vastly different from their original looks then.
Q: Many players are concerned that there is lack of content in the game. How will this be addressed?
A: The information released thus far is not the full content of the game. The areas released are only those requiring testing. There will be more content for players to experience when the game is officially released.
Also, the two new areas and the single Abyss area to be released in CBT3 contain a large number of quests and content, allowing players level 34 or more to be challenged, hence this should not be a problem.
Q: What is the reason why Asmodeans level faster than Elyos?
A: As stated in a previous interview, Asmodeans level fast in early game, but after mid-game will face hell-like grinding when levelling. There will be penalties when attacking mobs with a significant level difference and lastly, the time required for both races to reach level 50 will be the same.
However, due to players' interests, the Elyos population is sure to be larger. Fewer leveling grounds and other reasons will cause players to feel that they are leveling more slowly.
Some people will think 'Since Asmodeans level faster, they will possess better skills more quickly and be able to complete higher level quests with better rewards. Wouldn't that mean they will reach the level cap faster than the Elyos?' However, Aion is not a game with quests at its core. The Asmodean population will be relatively smaller, with the same amount of experience required to gain levels, the time both races will take to reach the level cap will be the same.
Q: What is the lowest hardware specification for the best effects?
A: We hope that GeForce 5700 series will be sufficient to display the best effects.
Q: What is the significance of the main quest?
A: The main quest serves to allow players to fully experience the world of Aion and its storyline via quests, as well as the special background stories and history of each locale.
Q: Regarding the time limit on aerial combat, how are you considering it?
A: We consider aerial combat as a type of battle skill used to aid in normal battle, hence there is a time limit to it. There will not be unlimited aerial battles, and there are no plans to have an arena for unlimited aerial battles.
Q: How are you handling the differences between the Elyos and Asmodeans?
A: As character levels increase, they will learn race specific skills. Thus, despite being the same class, depending on the difference in skills, players will get a different experience in combat.
Q: What is the usefulness of Abyss points?
A: They will be able to be used to purchase items in the future and when players gain higher levels, they can use these points to purchase special skills.
Q: Why is the Abyss divided into three areas? What is the difference between these areas?
A: The difficulty level in these areas is not significant, the main difference lies in their content, with some with more PvE content and others with more Fortress content.
Currently, characters of level 25 or more may enter the Abyss. The area is a large mixed PvP and PvE hunting ground. As players need to handle threats from all angles, the difficulty level is expected to be harder than one imagines but the rewards for hunting here are higher as well.
Q: How does one enter the Abyss?
A: There are teleport points for every Fortress in the Abyss as planned. Once the Fortress is conquered, there can be new teleport points opened from normal areas into the Abyss.
Q: Where does the crafting system stand now?
A: The crafting system will unveil its abilities as character levels increase, like all the other systems. There are areas where players will excel in at each level.
For example, the basic food from the cooking system may not help with leveling at lower levels but as levels increase, the complicated food will help characters significantly with increasing their abilities.
Q: How is the planned balancing being carried out?
A: Few games are able to fully balance all their classes, WoW is no exception. The main focus now is to ensure that all classes will be able to play smoothly throughout the game. Corrections will continuously be carried out and complete balancing is only expected during the official open beta.
The DP system is not meant for a one-hit kill during PvP but is to allow stronger and cooler attacks when dealing with mobs.
Q: The planned changes for each class are?
A: - Ranger: Will not be weakened. Skills to be maintained but changes will be done in terms of damage and negative effects able to be done on other classes.
- Assassin: Improvement to be done on PvP as there is little performance of the class during PvP
- Cleric/Chanter: Improved attack abilities, allowing for soloing. Attack damage and skills are to be added.
- Spiritmaster: Compared to increasing their nuking ability, we will be increasing their reliance on their summons.
- Templar/Gladiator: As previously stated, a skill to allow for instantenously increasing speed will be added, for increased battle ability in PvP and PvE.
All classes will be adjusted on as appropriate and will not be weakened as much as possible. Plans are to increase the number of skills to reach a balance rather than removing current skills.
Q: When is the next CBT trial?
A: It is estimated that CBT3 will start in late june/early july. We are still in the midst of preparing various game features.