I can't let Ayase take all the heat for the announcement; the US site featured the same announcement moments before it went live on the EU site. I get the feeling that if the situation were reversed, I would be the one being called out.
Regardless, here's further information.
Aion has already undergone extensive beta testing and will go through more before the game is released in the US and EU next year. Don't let the fancy name fool you; we will still be asking for community feedback on the game and major issues, not to mention server stress testing and other assistance. With the amount of testing that has gone before, future tests and the Preview events, we are confident Aion will be a polished and complete game when it is released.