Aion Open Beta
 

Aion open beta will be Sept 6-Sept 13. You can torrent the client from http://bit.ly/10O3sQ. There's also a smaller patch download if you were in closed beta

Hells yeah, we need to get some Zelaron beta-ers together or some shit. I'm definitely going to try it.

What's the game about? And am I right in thinking that it's from the makers of Guild Wars?

While it's an open beta, apparently, you will still need a key to play. These keys are being given away for free. The only announced distributer (though I'm sure there will be others) is FilePlanet, which will start distribution on September 1st. Having pre-ordered, I'm already eligible, but I will try to get a couple keys for people that miss their opportunity.

Yes, it's from the makers of Guild Wars.

In the old times, the planet was whole. Unified, the people fought against the dragonkin. At one point, the dragonkin sought out peace; one faction wanted to negotiate peace while the other was suspicious of the dragonkin. In the end, the dragonkin betrayed the people, splitting the planet in two, both litterally and socially. Now, a hundred years later, all three parties are locked in a bloody struggle. The Asmodians, one of the factions of people, spent the time in darkness and have developed a dark complection as well as claws. The Elyos, the other faction of people, spent the time sunbathed and have white wings and light skin. The Balour are the descendants of the dragonkin that shattered the plant and still seek the destruction of all people; The Balour faction is AI controlled.

I will be playing the beta on Asmodian side on the same server as most of my guild-mates. The world of the Asmodians is grim, but not overly depressing. The world of the Elyos is happy and light and not for me.

I was hoping for something more Sci-Fi. :(

Still, I'll give it a go. Do you know if the number of keys is limited?

EDIT: Stupid question! They must be, if you're going to try and get some for people who miss the chance.

Looks interesting... I've got a fair bit of free time for the next few weeks, I'll see if I can get in on it. Do you have to pay for a fileplanet "exclusive membership" (or whatever it's called) to get a key?

I certainly hope not. I doubt it. Curse will probably distribute keys, too. I have a free premium membership there, so...

So what exactly do we need to do to get keys? I'm lost.

http://na.aiononline.com/en/news/ope...-download.html

Edit:

According to http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/aion/, you need to be a file planet subscriber. In that case, you're better off going to your local game store and buying the pre-order package for $5 (it counts as a $5 discount toward the actual game when you pick up the game). Of course, file planet may be hiding intentions to give away remaining keys to anyone once the paying customers have first pick. Also, with as many people as there were offering closed beta codes, it doesn't make sense that file planet is the only one with open beta codes

http://twitter.com/aion_liv/status/3586760499

As I thought, it's not truly File Planet exclusive.

You say you've got a key(s) coming because you already preordered. How does this work... does the preorder have a cd-key in it that will in turn get you a beta key?

When you pre-order at a retail location (that hasn't given away the pre-order boxes to people that didn't pre-order), you should get a slim CD case containing a card with a pre-order key. The box says you pay $5 for the box and it's a $5 coupon toward your pre-ordered copy of the game within 7 days after release. If you never buy the full game, you're just out $5 but get all the pre-order benefits, including beta access.

Well, got my beta key. Gonna return the preorder for my 5 bucks back tomorrow too. Ha ha ha. I also have the client downloaded, but I'm guessing there's nothing to do until the 6th?

Create your account. Install the client.

Well I'm all set to go. Is anyone else playing?

I havent had the chance to acquire myself a key at the time, I would definetly love to give it a go though.

Well, I played for a few hours today. All I can say is... meh. It seems completely formulaic and dull. The graphics aren't so great and the fighting is exactly like any other game. It just makes me want to play Lineage 2 again, because that game seems superior by comparison.

Maybe it becomes more interesting later but so far I'm underwhelmed.