Aion trumpets 400,000 pre-orders

By Oli Welsh Published 18 September, 2009

Also: GameGuard dropped from launch.

NCsoft has pumped itself up for next week's banner launch of Aion: The Tower of Eternity by telling the world that it has taken nearly 400,000 preorders for the massively multiplayer RPG.

According to NCsoft, that means it's "outpacing other major MMO launches this year" (although we can only think of one other, Champions Online). More importantly to players, it guarantees busy servers when the early access for pre-orderers starts this Sunday, 20th September.

The game then launches officially in the US on the Tuesday 22nd, and here in Europe on Friday 25th. Pre-orderers can also pre-select their servers and character names today.

Anyone who played the game's beta will be pleased to learn that NCsoft is removing the nProtect GameGuard anti-cheat software from Aion's launch, albeit temporarily. GameGuard caused technical problems for many players during beta.

"After analysing our open beta test results Aion will not feature GameGuard at launch. We will however continue to pursue ways to effectively utilize GameGuard within Aion in the future. Right now we're focused on providing players with the best possible Aion experience," the producer said on the official site.

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About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (52) Latest comment 3 years ago

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  • makeamazing #1 3 years ago

    Pre-orders is great and all, but there is a big problem with MMOs at the moment, massive first month and then lots of people leave... there are too many MMOs in development as well, meaning this will continue to be true. I think the MMO market needs a massive shift in the way the games play to prevent this happening every game launch.

  • andromeda #2 3 years ago

    cant believe people lap up this fantasy special attack move shit

  • etherfiend #3 3 years ago

    I played beta and it wasn't quite compelling enough to herald a return to MMOs for me. Good luck to it though, definitely the most stable and complete beta I've ever played so far for an MMO.

    @andromeda Everyone's tastes are different. Plus WoW's WOTLK has been out a while and may well be getting stale for users and going to another fantasy MMO may be just what they need. The trouble is everything else seems underpopulated for a lot of people so used to servers full of people milling about (unless you've previously played MMOs ofc - making a launch the perfect time for a swap as its guaranteed to be chocka-block with players ). You have to remember WoW is the first MMO for many people and Aion could be a nice home away from home for those looking for a change of scene but nothing too dissimilar.

    Anyway, good luck to Aion.
    Edited by etherfiend at 18/09/09 @ 09:32

  • kestral #4 3 years ago

    Bye Gameguard, the program that sees netlimiter lite and Google chrome as cheating tools!

  • Gaol #5 3 years ago

    Nice reminder, my preorder has been with Amazon for that long I almost forgot. Removing GameGuard is a good move, was causing issues for lots of people.

  • Miths #6 3 years ago

    Nice to hear they are dropping GameGuard. I tried to play the beta, but no matter how I adjusted or disabled firewalls and antivirus software (I refused to go as far as uninstalling them, as many people were actually recommending on forums - with a straight face) I barely managed to get started on character creating before GG shut down the game.

    I've just started playing Fallen Earth last night though (so far it looks like this could be the best MMORPG I've played in years), so between that and Champions Online (which I suspect I won't be playing much until they've added more content and finished all the post-launch balancing though) - plus this Autumn's assortment of console games - I imagine there probably won't be time for Aion in my schedule.
    Unless the reviews manage to convince me to give it a try after all :).

  • Hypercube #7 3 years ago

    I'll be playing at launch - I've enjoyed the betas and, while the limited replayability of new chars on the same faction may reduce its lifespan for me, I'm looking forward to doing some proper grouping and seeing beyond the first few zones.

    I like the art, the animations, the city - I'll find out about longevity as I play.

    @andromeda: d'awwww, did Mummy stop you playing online games?

  • ZuluHero #8 3 years ago

    I guess if you're coming from WoW and looking for something new this will be the next big thing. You won't find another, more polished, graphically beautiful game this side of 2010. I think retention should be very good after the first month. Besides there are already a few million subscribers to Aion already, so its slightly different to other mmo releases of the past.

    Remember if you've preordered that preselction starts tonight at 8pm (uktime) and headstart starts on Sunday (8pm UK time too)

  • Danoxth #9 3 years ago

    nProtect is one of the worse 'anti cheat' bits of software out there, and is only used because it's made by a Korean company as they like to keep it all in house so to speak.

    It's rubbish, always has been, always will be. Same problems, different games, 7+years later from when I first experienced it.

  • FooAtari #10 3 years ago

    The beta didn't grab me at all, and totally forgot I still had this on order. Nice reminder for me to cancel it.

  • optimusprym8 #11 3 years ago

    About time they dropped GameGuard, always was and always will be one of the biggest barriers to PC gaming.

  • Dizzy #12 3 years ago

    Wasn't impressed with this but I guess a lot of MMO players are looking for a new home.

  • spudsbuckley #13 3 years ago

    'Wasn't impressed with this but I guess a lot of MMO players are looking for a new home.'

    People always say that when a new MMORPG comes out and after a month or two the servers empty and everyone goes back to WoW and EvE.

    All it takes is a crappy content patch from either of them to kill new MMO's.

  • Gaol #14 3 years ago

    @spudsbuckley

    This is a successful Korean MMO so NCSoft only need enough subs in the West to justify localisation costs and it'll be perfectly safe; even a Lineage II size niche would be profitable.
    Edited by Gaol at 18/09/09 @ 10:44

  • Hypercube #15 3 years ago

    If anyone here has preordered and is going to pre-select a server/faction, let me know and I'll create my first toon on that server. Might as well choose somewhere with some EGers :)

  • Kremlik Verified Co-Founder, Crash To Desktop #16 3 years ago

    Anyone who played the game's beta will be pleased to learn that NCsoft is removing the nProtect GameGuard anti-cheat software from Aion's launch, albeit temporarily. GameGuard caused technical problems for many players during beta.

    I think ppl skipped over those key words they aren't removing it but slipping it back in later once those 'i'm not buying because of that' players are hooked.. So basically once ppl work that out - expect a new uproar over GG article in the next few months

  • Tyranix #17 3 years ago

    That may happen, or it may not, they're leaving their options open. What's important is that they are, amazingly, listening to feedback and actually using a beta test as a -test-, not a demo like a certain other big name mmo developer. Although I had no problems with Gameguard i'm so happy to hear this news, it means even more people can experience this beautiful game.

    And Hypercube, a few friends and I are doing pre select and rolling on Gorgos.

  • ZuluHero #18 3 years ago

    @Hypercube

    Im going to be rolling on Spatalos. Seems like its going to have the most english speakers.

  • Hypercube #19 3 years ago

    Gorgos or Spataolos?! Gorgos or Spatalos?! Aargh!

    Which factions you going for? I'm easy, I've enjoyed the starting areas for both.

  • ZuluHero #20 3 years ago

    Elyos. Although i loved the Asmo starting area too. The back hair (or lack thereof) was the deciding factor for me. I thought my vanity was suited to the Elyos! :)

  • Hypercube #21 3 years ago

    Cool. I'm going to be making an alt on a second server for the other faction anyway, so I can see both paths through the game.

    I reckon I'll starting with either a Templar or a Sorcerer. Probaby Templar.

    Edit: Actually, I think the Templar will be a large, fat, haggard looking old git, while a sorcerer can conceivably be justified in being a scantily dressed lady. It's all in the storyline! ;)
    Edited by Hypercube at 18/09/09 @ 11:46

  • MaxiSleep #22 3 years ago

    Why the crap does a mmo need piracy protection?

  • Hypercube #23 3 years ago

    Why the crap does a mmo need piracy protection?

    I think it's more a protection against hacking and botting.

  • TruSmiles #24 3 years ago

    I'm heading to Castor on the Asmo side with a bunch of people. Gorgos is the unofficial RP server, but may be really good fun. Spatalos looks set to be the most popular though!

  • ZuluHero #25 3 years ago

    Word of warning – according to polls on other sites, Castor seems to be made home to a lot of non-English speaking countries that don't have a server of their own. Primarily Russians it seems.

  • Balboa #26 3 years ago

    @Kremlik Yeah, they need to remove it permanently.

    The worst thing is that it only screws up honest players. It's piss-easy to circumvent.

  • hiddenranbir #27 3 years ago

    Pre-orders mean nothing. Let's see how many are on it after 6 months!

  • MasterNameless #28 3 years ago

    I'm heading to the Spatalos server, not decided on Asmodian or Elyos yet. Played Elyos on the beta, really enjoyed it, but was thinking about going for Asmodian on Sunday, but do they have to have black hair? Don't like the sound of that.

    Do people think the races will be balanced? People flock to the 'evil' races in these games far too often...

  • Anufea #29 3 years ago

    @MasterNameless: back hair, not black hair :)

    Edit: See here for example: http://images.mmosite.com/aion/suit/asmodians/lv50l_32.jpg
    Edited by Anufea at 18/09/09 @ 14:04

  • MasterNameless #30 3 years ago

    Ah!! Haha! And ewe! Silly me for misreading that :/ Probably because of the vids I saw of the Asmodians, they all had black hair (I think). I don't want a hairy back though! Do the female characters have back rugs too? Gross. -.-

    Thanks for the correction. :)

    edit: Ah, you answered my other question with your edit. Not as gross as I imagned it thankfully, but in two minds now. May stick with Elyos. Hmmm... Got all day to have a think about it.
    Edited by MasterNameless at 18/09/09 @ 14:07

  • ZuluHero #31 3 years ago

    @hiddenranbir

    Well its been live for over a year and currently has a couple of million subs. I think it will do well over here :)

    "Do the female characters have back rugs too?"

    Yes :/
    Edited by ZuluHero at 18/09/09 @ 14:08

  • Hypercube #32 3 years ago

    The lady back rugs aren't as bad as you're making out! ;)

    Although I would imagine they're really hot to furries...

    I like the claws and the glowing eyes on the Asmos, but the first area after Ascension for the Elyos is a bright, sunny place, and the Asmos is a bit dingy. Although the forest is pretty cool in the Asmo area.

    Dammit! Now I can't decide at all! One of each faction then :) On different servers, of course.
    Edited by Hypercube at 18/09/09 @ 14:18

  • MasterNameless #33 3 years ago

    ""Do the female characters have back rugs too?"

    Yes :/"

    Haha, that's so gross... Thinking about it though, it may well be a good way to offset all the people who think it's cool to be evil! Intentionally or not.

  • MasterNameless #34 3 years ago

    "The lady back rugs aren't as bad as you're making out! ;)

    Although I would imagine they're really hot to furries... "

    Yeah, I'm possibly overreacting ;) It's the thought that is grossing me out, even if the pic above doesn't look so bad.

  • Hypercube #35 3 years ago

    What's really freaky about Aion are the people who make tiny, tiny chars with massive melon heads. That's just fucking wrong.

    Or massive, 9 foot tall Amazons with heads the size of a satsuma. Also wrong.

    Funny, but wrong.

  • ZuluHero #36 3 years ago

    haha yeah! Those tiny head people are like the Goomba's out of the Super Mario movie (or the head-shrunk people outta Beetlejuice! :p)
    Edited by ZuluHero at 18/09/09 @ 14:43

  • Seele #37 3 years ago

    Looks nice! I'm very tempted to preorder this, getting bored of AoC.

  • YenRug #38 3 years ago

    I'm currently planning on making an Elyos on Castor and an Asmo on Gorgos; in the betas I've mainly played an Asmo assassin, which I'm planning to go ahead with, when live, I tried an Elyos Ranger but plan to try out Spiritmaster instead.

  • Freki #39 3 years ago

    So going by pre-orders, it isnt as good as WAR then? :)

  • ZuluHero #40 3 years ago

    @Freki

    If that’s what your basing its ‘success’ on then you’re wrong. I tend to go for things like..well.. its better....

  • Freki #41 3 years ago

    Notice the smiley. I have no real experience with Aion so couldn't say, but trumpeting pre-order numbers, as we all found out with WAR means pretty much nothing.

  • ZuluHero #42 3 years ago

    How about actual paying subscriber numbers then?

    3.5 Million: http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/985/985368...

  • Freki #43 3 years ago

    Asian market is very different from the Western market, they loved Liniege for example!

  • ZuluHero #44 3 years ago

    it's a very western game though :)

    My point is its proven - unlike WAR, or AoC or any other you care to mention. Sorry im starting to sound like a fanboy. I guess i have high hopes. From what i've seen for the first 20 levels its very promising.

    I've yet to play another game like it (except for maybe WoW :p)
    Edited by ZuluHero at 18/09/09 @ 16:52

  • hiddenranbir #45 3 years ago

    The sorts of games that managed to flourish there, I would not trust Asian numberations!

  • davisorle #46 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 20:44:35 16-04-2012

  • ZuluHero #47 3 years ago

    eh - with the beta level cap at 30 how do you even know?

    /is confused

  • Gearskin #48 3 years ago

    I'd like to try this. But the Betas have been limited to the states, far as I know.

  • ZuluHero #49 3 years ago

    no - the EU have had access to the betas tool. I've been in 4 closed weekends and the week open (I'm in the UK). EG gave away something like 20,000 keys alone.

    You could even buy the pre-order key in places like GAME for 1.99 which would have given you access to exactly the same too, pluss you wouldn't have had to buy the full game had you not liked it.
    Edited by ZuluHero at 19/09/09 @ 16:01

  • Gearskin #50 3 years ago

    Really? I only ever got notification for one, and that was from Fileplanet. I got a link to the client, downloaded it, and was then told I was in the wrong country when the keys went up.

  • Mellissa #51 3 years ago

    400,000 pre-orders and they don't have the servers to let them play. 70 minutes after launch and the servers are too full. When you get in the queue you still have over an hour to wait.
    .

  • Hypercube #52 3 years ago

    They opened the queues later last night and the servers ground to a halt - at one point, my ping was over 2 million.

    Still, for pre-launch day, I didn't see any bugs or issues. Just servers groaning under the weight.