Mirko Gozzo Interview

[Profano]

Hi Guys, i hope this is the right section.
We’ve managed to interview Mirko Gozzo, Marketing Manager for Ncsoft Europe, now working on Aion Marketing. His work, like he said on Gamona.de, deals with U.K. marketing management and local publishers support.


Hello Mirko, we’re pleased that you have accepted this interview.
From many questions that users have made, we’ve choose those that best fits with your experience and occupation in Ncsoft:

M.G.: Thank you, and excuse me if I’m late….but with Holydays, travels and meetings, I don’t have much time for work

There will be other billing methods but Monthly? Ex. $ per hour, $ every 3-6-12 months..or even a lifetime subscription?

M.G.: The Aion business model has yet to be announced, but sure is that like other Ncsoft games, we’re working to improve and offer max flexibility on billing methods.
Not only in terms of time (monthly etc..) but also how (via paypal, credit cards, etc..).
For the time Aion will be released all this features should be on hand.
Talking about lifetimes, IMHO its not a good message to send to the customers.
It’s like to said “we’re doing great now, because the game its not that good and people wont subscribe again.”. Sure is that we’re not considering Aion in this terms.


Are you thinking about Servers-Fan sites data exchanges, for on line ranks and status info up to date? Can you say anything about?

M.G.: I cant tell too much because “What” and “How” will be implemented its not yet confirmed. We’re moving in this direction because we trust that a game success moves also through communities, and the more services we will provide to fan sites the more online and offline experience will be great.


Where will the server be installed?

M.G.: They will be installed in Francoforte like every other Ncsoft Europe servers. German servers and connections are the best you can have atm, in terms of efficiency.


How many users do you expect to have, considering how many people are looking forward for the release date. Witch ages Aion will target?

M.G.: hehe I hope as many as we can. About age target we expect form 12 to 24 (but in my experience on L2 and WOW, I know that this kind of MMO are appreciated also by an older audience – I’ve played with man who was 60 years old both in L2 and WOW)


Will be any kind of on-line shops for in game stuff, just like Guild Wars or other MMOs?

M.G.: We’re considering this opportunity in Europe and USA. As soon as we’ll decide anything I’ll let you know.


Will Aion be implemented with World events mastered by GM, like Ultima on Line for example?

M.G.: If you mean in game events, you should talk with the “Community” guys , but its on the way. (I love that kind of things).


Once Aion will be released, are you going to continue considering feedbacks and users tips like is happening in beta, or is more like to be a “Lock and delete” uncomfortable topics? Will skills and classes be nerfed in order to maintain game balanced?

M.G.: We want the game experience to be balanced and enjoyable for everyone, no matter which class you pick. All feedbacks will be considered and, if necessary ,implemented.


Considering your L2 experience , the Aion chanter will have the same tasks of L2 prophets, with long terms buffs that make users start selling them without grouping, or subscribe a second account to set up Buff-bots?

M.G.: The Dev team is still working on skills. Chanters main task will be buffs, but they will be fine also in combat.


When we’ll be able to have a dialogue directly with Dev team, like Koreans and their official forum? Rumours about new Aion.com?

M.G.: Koreans developers are not in straight contact with users. The steps are users, community and dev team. The same will happen for Europe.


What’s in you personal opinion the development status of Aion, and when it will be on shops shelves?

M.G.: The game is on Closa beta testing(season 3) atm. Next step is open beta testing that is the preamble of release in Korea. We’re working (hard) on English translation atm and we far seer the release date between first months of 2009.


Can we hope on a Limited Edition, along with Preorder and collectors?
M.G.: I don’t want to disclose anything, but know this: I’m fond of L.E. and other collector stuffs, and I’m the one who decide this kind of things heheheh.
Have you seen the Lineage II collector we have just released?
PlayNC


Thank you for your time and professionalism. Good work , and of course you are welcome in AIONIC. See you 

M.G.: Thank to you for the answers. If you ever need more information about the game, ask to the “Community” staff, they know it a lot!

Bye
Mirko


Source : Aionic

[Fleiva]

Originally Posted by Profano

Will be any kind of on-line shops for in game stuff, just like Guild Wars or other MMOs?

M.G.: We’re considering this opportunity in Europe and USA. As soon as we’ll decide anything I’ll let you know.

Let's panic in masses

[Aseenus]

huh nice

[Ayase]

Originally Posted by Profano

Can we hope on a Limited Edition, along with Preorder and collectors?
M.G.: I don’t want to disclose anything, but know this: I’m fond of L.E. and other collector stuffs, and I’m the one who decide this kind of things heheheh.
Have you seen the Lineage II collector we have just released?
PlayNC

I was just asked to clarify that Mirko's answer to this question was in regards to the EU.

[Dynasty]

even better, one up on the americans already

Thx Profano

[Chrysanth]

Originally Posted by Profano

Will be any kind of on-line shops for in game stuff, just like Guild Wars or other MMOs?

M.G.: We’re considering this opportunity in Europe and USA. As soon as we’ll decide anything I’ll let you know.

This is very uncool imo.

[HunterX]

I agree.

[10 characters]

[unForsaken]

I don't think they'll dare to insult players with Cash Shop.

Unless of course they want too see people rioting on the streets.

[Mark]

NCcoin in Aion would be just disgusting.

As for Collector's Editions, I think I'm going to buy both EU's and NA's if they have different stuff in them. I'm a freak like that.

[ANIMEniac]

Originally Posted by Mark

NCcoin in Aion would be just disgusting.

As for Collector's Editions, I think I'm going to buy both EU's and NA's if they have different stuff in them. I'm a freak like that.

omg yea no coin ever, but since it is a P2P game there would be no need for coins, but if it was like guild wars where you could by an extra story based bonus mission and such that would be cool

and if the NA release does not have a L.E. but Eu does i will be super mega ****ed =/ but if we got different versions... i may have to think of importing as well :P

[lyankyj]

NOOO, the possibility of those stupid coins and ingame shops are here again!!! GOD HELP US!!! And NC, prepare for a massive attack if you choose these annoying and ridiculous methods!

And on massive i mean 6 size of GC...which is quite huge..like the Abyss... and you most definitely dont want that.

You seriously cant think we would accept such things...

And we all know that the result of these attacks would be that you finally decide we are right and you change the game to p2p with monthly fee...so do the right thing and announce it already!

[dalin]

thanks for putting this together Profano... good read!

oh, and booooo cash shops...

[Fleiva]

Originally Posted by lyankyj

NOOO, the possibility of those stupid coins and ingame shops are here again!!! GOD HELP US!!! And NC, prepare for a massive attack if you choose these annoying and ridiculous methods!

And on massive i mean 6 size of GC...which is quite huge..like the Abyss... and you most definitely dont want that.

You seriously cant think we would accept such things...

And we all know that the result of these attacks would be that you finally decide we are right and you change the game to p2p with monthly fee...so do the right thing and announce it already!

Ill get a toy gun for GC and point at them until they decide to drop the idea. That plan can't fail.

[Ecronyte]

Thanks Profano.

And I would also like to shout a big NOOOOOOOOO to cash shops.

[Dynasty]

Originally Posted by Fleiva

Ill get a toy gun for GC and point at them until they decide to drop the idea. That plan can't fail.

rofl. take a picture of the event if you do .