EU Giveaway: win Access to the Aion free-to-play beta
Aion is a CryEngine powered MMO in which you play as a winged, angelic warrior tasked with defending the gorgeous realm of Atreia against invading forces. Constant updates since launch have added new zones, flighty PvP, cute pets, afros and more. The once-ponderous levelling speed has been boosted time and time again to give players the chance to see more of Aion’s beautiful zones. It’s going free to play in Europe in the coming months and we’re giving you a chance to spread your wings early.
We’ve got 500 keys to give away for the Aion free to play beta. If you get into the beta, you’ll automatically be granted ‘Veteran’ status when Aion free to play goes live. This will give you a few extra features over starter players, like the ability to open up your own shop.
All you need to do to enter is put your name and email address into the Aion beta key competition page, which you can discover through this link right here.
I want in on the Aion beta. Give me wings, PC Gamer!
And that’s all there is to it. If you win a key, you can redeem it on the Aion Free to Play site. They’ll be sent out once we all 500 have been snapped up, so tell your friends if you want in quicker. The Aion client is available to pre-load here. Good luck!
Halting the grind: Leveling in Aion just got easier
Aion is often the poster child for grind-heavy MMOs. At launch, this was very true, but NCsoft has made a lot of changes over the years in an attempt to alleviate some of that monotony, although some modifications have been more effective than others. Recent changes drew me back to see if I could climb out of the leveling ravine.
Guild Wars 2 Mesmer revealed, can summon clones armed with magic shotguns
As expected, the latest Profession to be revealed for Guild Wars 2 is the Mesmer. As you might expect from the name, Mesmers specialise in using mind tricks and illusion to defeat their enemies. It’s a less subtle art than you might expect. Auras of invisibility and doppelganger companions are all standard fare for your average combat magician. It’s the portal/laser beam sword combination that really sells the profession. It looks perfect for some high level PvP trolling and, with skill names like “Chaos Storm” and “Mind Wrack,” feels like a powerful addition to the Guild Wars 2 roster.
You can find out more about the specific abilities the Mesmer will be able to wield on the new Mesmer section of the Guild Wars 2 site. Meanwhile, here are twelve new screenshots of the various Mesmer warriors from the trailer above.
Aion to go free to play in Europe in February
Ultra-pretty flighty MMO Aion is set to drop the monthly subscription fees and go free to play in February next year. The free to play version will be rolled out in the UK, France and Germany first before spreading across the whole of Europe. “In the last few months the lands in Atreia have become more and more deserted,” NCSoft write on the new Aion free to play site, “we want to reinvigorate the world of Aion and attract new adventurers to the towns.” There’s no mention of a free to play version for the US yet.
Aion’s been updated many, many times since its release. New dungeons, new endgame quests, new missions and pets that will collect your loot for you are a few additions. The seriousness of the stoic angel warriors that made up Aion’s character base on launch have thawed considerably over the years with the addition of new outfits, afros and a ton of new gear.
Lineage II embracing free-to-play “later this year,” putting no limits on non-paying players
These are strange times we live in. “Free” no longer means free. It’s simply code for “Your monetization scheme is in another castle.” Thankfully, up hasn’t become down yet, and left and right are still in working order – but really, it’s only a matter of time at this point.
Thankfully, NCSoft’s Lineage II is among the few attempting to stave off the topsy-turvy future. When its Goddess of Destruction expansion takes the game free-to-play “later this year” (via Gamasutra), it won’t be plotting alternate courses right into your bank account. Free players will actually have access to, well, everything. No tiers, no red tape, no strange inability to comprehend mailboxes. Items purchasable with real money, meanwhile, will provide added convenience and cosmetic benefits.
Aion – Arena of Chaos Guide
With wings unfurled, here comes another Aion game guide, brought to you in collaboration with the fine folks over at NCsoft. This time, we’re off to the Arena of Chaos, where players will battle other Daeva in 5v5 arena battles, continuing the enjoyable Crucible Arenas.
PCG PSA: Aion 2.7 patch officially live
Via the wonderful winged magic of email, NCSoft’s just dropped us a line to let everybody know that Aion 2.7 is now up and running. The PVP-focused update lets you show off your murderous moves in both the small-scale Arena of Discipline and the biggie-sized Arena of Chaos.
Or, if soundly trouncing your fellow man isn’t your cup of tea, there’s always the reworked Padmarashka’s Cave Alliance instance. I tried pronouncing it, and now the doctor says I have to keep this tiny cast on my tongue for the next eight weeks.
For full details on the patch, go here. We also have a couple nice guides for you here and here, with another – centered around the Arena of Chaos – just around the corner.
Aion Patch 2.7 Arena Combat Guide
Aion players are anxiously awaiting the launch of patch 2.7 on October 19th, with its 48-man raid and and addition of the Arenas of Discipline to the Crucible Coliseum. These 1v1 arena battles are sure to be a draw for players looking to show off their leet skills, and with NCsoft’s help, we’ve got some guides to help you out.
Aion’s 48 man raid – Padmarashka’s Cave Guide
With Aion patch 2.7 going live on October 19th, we’ve teamed up with NCsoft to give you some helpful hints to guide your way through Padmarashka’s Cave. This new instance will test your fortitude as you battle Sematariux and Padmarashka with 47 of your closest friends. Yep, that’s right, a 48-man raid! Will you be able to take down the monstrosities that lurk in Padmarashka’s Cave? Read on to find out the best ways to approach this mammoth instance.
Guild Wars 2 meets Mech Warrior in the Asura battle suit
As the small guy on the block, you occassionally need to hire some muscle to get things done on time. The Asura of Guild Wars 2 are doing just that–except they’re building their muscle. The newly announced Asura Battle Suit racial skill will put the players in the husk of a golem, allowing you to feel as mighty as the Norn without losing that cute physique we’ve come to love. It’s only a matter of time until one of the tinkering Asura figure out how to mount some rockets launchers on those shoulders. We squeezed Guild Wars 2 game designer Jon Peters for all the extra info he’d give on these magical mech warriors.
Guild Wars 2 Asura interview part two: Love and Inquest
Asura may be tiny, but this interview with ArenaNet’s Jeff Grubb and Ree Soesbee (game and content designers for Guild Wars 2) was so large we had to split it into two parts. Part 1 focused on the magical floating city of Rata Sum. In this section we focus more on the lore of the minuscule warriors along with a few bonuses. Read on to get more info on the amazing race that connected all of Tyria.
City of Heroes subscribers get early access to Freedom update
City of Heroes is going free to play later this year with the launch of the massive Freedom update. Now NCSoft and Paragon Studios have announced that they will be giving current subscribers early access, starting today.
Current players have access to the new in-game store and the new First Ward area. The head start program will also feature a number of events, with the developers promising costume competitions and a live alien invasion by the forces of Hamidon and Praetoria.
The full update will go live later this year, marking City of Heroes’ transition to a free to play game.
City of Heroes Dev Diary: Rogues gallery
In the last installment of the City of Heroes dev diary, we got a look at the massive monsters of the First Ward zone, which demand a entire super-team of players to take down. But what about the mobs you’ll face throughout the area on your own? Here’s Gilbert Martinez, CoH’s art lead, with the inside scoop on the new villain groups of the First Ward, complete with mutated psychic-tumor women and freaky, masked carnies.
Guild Wars 2 trailer shows sea dragon, huge robot, shouty giant
The new Guild Wars 2 trailer may start out slow, but don’t let it fool you. At around the two minute mark a bloody great dragon jumps out of the sea, then the epic score kicks in and and the real action begins. There’s some satisfyingly physical combat on show, along with some of the enormous bosses they mentioned before. In addition to the sea dragon there’s a gigantic steampunk robot who fires eye beams and a massive, stompy giant who bellows in the faces of the party in a true brown trousers moment.
Plus there’s airships, classical music and someone firing two pistols in slow motion. What more could you possibly ask for? Check out our preview to learn more.
City of Heroes Dev Diary: Giant monsters
PC Gamer routinely features Developer Diaries: tales of what goes on behind-the-scenes in the development studios making your favorite games. In this entry, City of Heroes’ Art Lead Gilbert Martinez explains the concepts behind the artistic design of the three giant monsters that players will have to battle in the upcoming “Issue 21: Convergence” update. Let us know what you’d like to see developers discuss in future diaries in the comments.
