GC08 news, impressions, damage-control.

[Mark]

First off, Aion.OnlineWelten PMed me an article and a video they made. I have a similar video I need to edit and upload, but I don't have the time to do so just yet. I will though, promise. It needs a ton of editing, however, to take out some things you guys don't need to see.

Second, I need to type up an article about my hands-on impressions of AION, something more detailed than the journals I wrote during CBT3. Again, I don't have the time for this just yet. I'm planning on typing it up post-PAX, after I get some reactions from American players.

Third, it seems the forums are quite interested now in the Exclusive Preview Events and everything to do with them. The biggest concern is perhaps why preview events and not betas, but that's not truly important to true AION fans. Real AION fans will want to know how to get into the preview events, and that information is readily available: get to GC08 (kinda late for that now, heheh) or get to PAX (this weekend) or wait for more information (NCsoft's promised). For those of you doubting the size and scope of NCsoft's efforts, I have uploaded

a video of the preview event winners

a video of the preview event winners

from Germany. I didn't see my own name in there, so I assume these aren't all of the winners. And if this isn't all the winners, then... Well, the preview events are going to be huge.

Alright, moving on to PAX: I will be at PAX with two goodie bags full of shirts and pins (not pens) and NCsoft lanyards and signed prints of Alma and Namiya. Whomever finds/recognizes me first both days will get the bags. On the third day I'll give out whatever I have left, which should be quite a bit of loot. And to those of you who aren't coming to PAX: I still have a ton of stuff I'm leaving at home to use as contest prizes in the future. Don't worry your little heads. I'll also be at NCsoft's Meet & Greet in Seattle, so if you're looking for some cross-game camraderie then book your spot for that ($15). Too bad I can't drink at this one, stupid American laws...

Oh, by the way, I got in contact with Mike Fahey. Fahey's the guy who wrote the article on Kotaku and took a picture of me in flipflops. He was on my plane back from Germany to Atlanta, oddly enough. We exchanged

Fahey's Businesscard on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fahey's Businesscard on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

. Perhaps he'll write another article about AION's booth babes, which he seemed interested in after I explained how they were chosen from a group of a couple hundred girls.

Last, but not least, there's a huge story behind those pictures of signs around Leipzig. It's a good one, I hope to do it justice when I get back from PAX.

See you all later!

P.S. Holy crap, I forgot! Ten tousand members! 10,000! 10k! Woot! We did it, all thanks to you! What's next?

P.P.S. Here's some screenshots I forgot I had. Shows character stats, etc. Enjoy!

[Aragros]

next is Sparta !

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Take your time writing the article. Give us the down-and-dirty on everything about the game. The control scheme, the graphics, the mobs, the combat system, anything and everything!

I might just wait to play Aion when it's released. It's too much trouble to get access to it, as far as I can tell and I've had prior experience with this sort of thing. Doing the closed beta for WoW kind of ruined the excitement for the game when it was officially released, especially since I basically re-experienced everything I had done in the beta. Also, I need the guap for my new computer, which I can't accrue till after football season when I go back to my trabajo.

[Bowzer]

That first screenshot made me drool

Kill stats and levels!

MMMMMMmmmMMMmm Tasty

[Shade]

nice stuff

hmm, no deaths count? :|

[justamemory]

git r dun

[Ariel]

Hmmm with those GFX options Im thinking... Max settings probably on a 9800+?

[Sokar]

I'm really looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the game, Mark! It's nice to hear what professional reviewers have to say, but honestly, i enjoy hearing what actual gamers have to say more.... less agenda and more pew pew! You should ask if one of the "preview events" will be open in the US, rather than having to win a spot. I know it's a long shot, but what the heck, if they have one, that'd be better for everyone involved IMO. Anyhow, enjoy PAX and bring us back lots of new info and maybe some "exclusives"!!!

-Sokar

[dalin]

nice work amigo... looking forward to that in-depth writeup...

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and videos of scantily clad booth....... game attendants...

[ImALittleMonKeY]

How will we know who you are so i can get a goodie bag lol.

[Flagros]

Preview Event will be huge, thanks for the Screens. :]
Killcounter gogo.

[Charlie]

give beta alrdy enough with this nonsense

[dalin]

Originally Posted by ImALittleMonKeY

How will we know who you are so i can get a goodie bag lol.

there he is... mark is the one in the middle...

and from his flickr acount (he's holding the map)

[TheSaintACE]

Some people were complaining about how the characters talk EVERY single time they cast a spell...In one of the screens I see a check box for "voice over" perhaps you can actually turn off that constant talking effect? That will make some people happy.

Also /random Anyone else think Fleiva is Hella cute?

[Narcolepz]

Wow, Thanks for all this information you've been posting from the convention and in general. I've been following this game for far too long and it's the only game I've ever been truly excited about.

Keep up the excellent work! This is the best resource for Aion info around.