Have giant, metal, vaguely humanoid things always been a part of fantasy, or is that something that MMORPGs have introduced to the genre? It seems a lot of fantasy MMOs eventually branch into steampunk-inspired tech, and Aion's next on the list: NCSoft has just revealed that the next class addition is the "Aethertech"—giant robot things. Some of which are cloud-colored.

The Aethertech received their grand unveiling on the Aion blog (where you'll find more glamorous photographs, too). You won't actually play as the robots themselves—think of them more as big, hefty mech vehicles designed for maximum compensation of whatever of your weaker traits may be. The whimsical, aether-pulsing mounts allow their users, the "Technists," to perform both short- and long-distance attacks in the form of Gatling guns, whips, fists, rocket launchers, and other unfriendly weapons.

The Aethertech are the centerpiece of patch 4.5, which hits the Korean test servers on July 29; they'll make their way to American servers "after the normal localization process."

Oh, come on villains! Surely by now you've learnt not to go on extended rants of exposition, in which you meticulously detail the minutia of you plans for heroes to act upon. Not according to the E3 trailer for Aion 4.0, the free to play MMO's upcoming expansion. In it, primo-baddie Beritra growls his way through plot details, delivers an oddly rousing speech about those attempting to stop him, outright reveals his "big secret", then finishes on a pantomime laugh. Classic villaining.



In addition, NCSoft have released two more videos, taking you through the new classes and skills available in the 4.0 update, titled Dark Betrayal.





Aion 4.0: Dark Betrayal arrives June 26th.

For the latest from E3, check out our complete coverage.

Let that be our rallying cry, oh Wallys of Atreia: "Cartography will lead us to victory!" Or at least to disgruntled groupmates yelling at me as I meticulously redraw every line representing our plan of attack in Aion's new battle map, which was introduced in yesterday's big patch that took the game free to play.

The feature lets you draw with four different colors on the in-game map, at any zoom scale, and save, load, and share that map with your group, league, or alliance. It's an amazing tool for planning out attacks and coordinating troop movement on a large scale, as well as helping new players navigate the zone. It should really help players who take advantage of the mentor system that summons in high-level players to assist lowbies on difficult or confusing content, especially when there is a language barrier between the two players.

It can, of course, be used for drawing smiley faces and writing out angry letters as well (and potentially a makeshift Draw Something replacement)--but please don't be that guy.

In last month's issue of PC Gamer US, we revealed Aion's plans to go free-to-play with our hands-on impressions of the massive update. NCsoft has quickly turned around the launch of Aion 3.0, which has just landed on live servers for everyone to experience today.

Among the big updates are giving every piece of content in the game away for free, new open-world player housing, and a whole expansion's worth of new spells, zones and dungeons. Read our article that originally ran in the March issue of PC Gamer US, check the official features guide, and download the game client for free here to jump in.

Free Bird
Two and a half years after taking to the skies, Aion is going free-to-play. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t the subscription model that drove players away the first time—it was the grind. Thankfully, 2011’s updates killed off that problem, and the massive update (3.0) coming with the free-to-play shift next month adds a ton of content and aims to widen the breadth of activities. If all goes well, it’ll make you forget that nasty “G” word ever happened.

The first big addition is housing: 1,000 ownable homes netled into expansive themed neighborhoods in the open world. Indoors, it feels like The Sims, with complex decoration and furnishing options that can be purchased or crafted with the new Construction skill. Each player also gets a small instanced apartment, just in case they can’t keep up with the undoubtedly insane auction prices for open-world homes.



Max-level players can mess around with their new skills in two new, pretty-as-always zones as they work their way to the boosted level cap of 60. Along the way, they’ll encounter the new open-world PvP fortress—an improvement on the old Abyss area that focuses PvP on the center keep, encouraging bloodshed to continue 24/7, not just when the outside towers unlock.

The added dungeons I played add some creative challenges, such as fighting a boss who moves in and out of mirrored rooms, rampaging through a fortress under assault from siege weapons, and taking control of a robot mech that flies and shoots rockets.

It’s not clear yet if it’ll hold my attention in the long run, but—at that price—I’ll definitely give Aion another shot.



How free is it?
In many ways, Aion’s free-to-play model plays it safe and sticks with what NCsoft knows players like. When it converts sometime next month, expect to be happily not surprised to find every piece of existing content—including character classes, quests, and the entire 3.0 patch—totally free for everyone. Raise your eyebrow in mild concern at the fact that some stat gear will be sold in the cash shop, alongside the usual roster of convenience and cosmetic items. Then close your jaw after discovering that there’s no subscription option, only a cash shop. It’s a refreshingly simple system: every account has the same status, meaning free players aren’t crippled by artificial limitations on bag size, credit accumulation, or grouping, as they are in far too many MMOs.

If I could demand one thing for free, it would be a five pound tub of licorice. If I could demand two things, it would be full access to a mystic realm of winged beings and a five pound tub of licorice. Aion: Ascension, the major update coming to Aion this spring, fulfills most of my desires with their newly announced F2P business model. Everything previously released and in patch 3.0 will be absolutely free for everyone. Yes, everything for free—well not my licorice, but those tubs of delicious red chewies aren't really NCsoft's to give away in the first place.

Aion's truly free business model follows in the footsteps of DC Universe Online, giving you everything for free. The original game, both expansions, all raid and dungeon content, and pvp content will be available to everyone just for showing up. That's like going to an amusement park with your friends and having the ticket clerk give you the keys instead of just a day pass. According to their website, "If you like the game, we'd appreciate a purchase from our store (game developers need to eat too!). If you don't like the game, can't pay, or don't want to pay—no worries, it's on us!" Sounds good to me.



As if this deal couldn't get any sweeter, mmmm licorice, Aion is also including patch 3.0 in the mix for all players. The patch will add a new stylish mount system and player housing, which you can decorate and show off to your friends. You'll also get two new zones, six new dungeons (including a 24-player raid), and the level cap will be raised to 60. We've played around with all of the new content and will have our hands-on impressions in the next issue of PC Gamer US (May 2012).

The Aion website has an interesting story driven trailer for the announcement and you can check out the Ascension page for more details on the update.

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!

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.



At the core of these changes is the Mentor system, where high-level players can lend a helping hand to low-level players looking to power through quests. Mentors help their mentees by increasing the power of the group, and group members gain XP based on the level of the players in the group (excluding the Mentor). It’s an effective system—I found that a group was able to slice and dice through hordes of enemies easily and increase the rewards (both XP and drops) exponentially, and finding players who wanted a Mentor was a breeze.



And that reward system is a two-way street. While I was selflessly mentoring young Daeva through their difficult journeys, I was able to complete Mentor quests, earning rewards such as unique weapons and armor. After spending a good chunk of time as a Mentor, however, I was ready for some action, so I headed toward the Empyrean Crucible. Longing for the camaraderie I had benefited from while mentoring, I chose to fight with a group, rather than taking the solo option. As my hearty crew and I battled our way through the stages (10 total, with five rounds per stage) the fights became increasingly difficult. Forced to coordinate, we fought back to back as wave after wave after wave of enemies intent on turning us into corpses rushed at us with wanton abandon.



In the end, I once again found myself overwhelmed with the continued tediousness that accompanies leveling in Aion. The mentor system is a definite improvement, and NCsoft’s continued efforts to smooth level ascension are admirable. The grind still rears its ugly head all too often, though. If you’ve taken a break, and haven’t seen the new content, then unbind your wings and take to the not-so-friendly skies. Otherwise, follow Archangel’s lead and remove those wings for good.

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.

Aion's world has become more impressive, too, with a raft of graphical updates. It's powered by Crytek's CryEngine, making it one of the best looking MMOs around, though through it all, it's never quite managed to shake its reputation as a bit of a grindfest. Come February, you'll get to download the client and find out for free.

In the Aion free to play FAQ, NCSoft mention that in"every quest, class, instance and zone is freely playable and is free of charge for every player." There they also mention that new players will be able to pay extra for a "Gold package" which will remove "a few minor restrictions in an effort to protect the game against bots and gold sellers" If you're already a subscriber, you'll be rewarded with "Veteran" status. "With this, all game options are open to you free of charge and you also receive special bonuses." Find out more on the official Aion free to play site. If you're an Aion subscriber, NCSoft recommend marking your account for transfer ahead of the free to play switch. There are instructions on how to do that here.

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.


One of the key features of the 2.7 update is the Arena of Chaos- a 10 Daeva free-for-all arena. Similar in structure to the Arena of Discipline, the Arena of Chaos brings different stages and strategy to the Crucible Colisuem.

While inside the Arena of Chaos, your enemies will be anonymous. You will not be able to chat, nor will you see the names of your competitors until the match ends and the final scores are displayed.

Just like the Arena of Discipline, you will need an Arena Ticket to enter. Be aware that these tickets are one time use items and are shared between each Crucible Coliseum arena. The training version does not consume an Arena Ticket, but will also give no reward.

Hours of Operation

Much like the other PvP instances within Aion, the Arena of Chaos operates during certain times of each day. The times that it is available reside around peak hours and are much less restricted during the weekend, so even if you are unable to attend each day, you should be able to find a time that is convenient for you, while still having other players to compete against.
Competitive Arena Hours
Weekdays
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
6:00 pm next day 2:00 a.m.
Weekend
10:00 am next day 2:00 a.m.
Getting There



Construction is finished within the Kaisinel Academy and Marchutan Priory and both have been expanded to house the Crucible Coliseum. Venturing down the new hallway, you will find the Crucible Coliseum vendors as well as the entrances themselves. By entering each Arena via its door, you will be queued for the competitive version of the instance. You will need an Arena ticket to enter via the door. If you prefer to practice, or just want to get in and have some fun, speak with the NPC closest to the Arena you wish to enter and you can queue up for the training version.

Arena Tickets



Arena Tickets are your... ticket to getting into the competitive version of the Coliseum arenas. Read on for more information on how these valuable tickets work!

1. You must have an Arena Ticket in order to enter the competitive version of the Arenas.
2. You may receive one Arena Ticket per day via a daily quest (resets daily at 9AM).
3. Each Arena Ticket remains in your inventory for 7 days. If unused within that time, it will disappear.
4. The 7 day expiration time allows you to plan your time better. Use them daily or all at once!
5. The Arenas will automatically consume the Arena Ticket with the least amount of time left.
6. With the very low cooldown times (15 minutes), only your Arena Tickets will determine your entry!

Where do I get Arena Tickets?
Obtaining your daily Arena Ticket couldn’t be easier! Simply speak with your faction’s NPC to accept and complete the daily quest and you will be awarded your ticket! As with other daily quests, this one resets daily at 9AM server time.

The first time you enter the Coliseum, you will learn how each arena works and earn a bonus Arena Ticket. Each player may then take a daily quest that awards them one Arena Ticket. There are currently no other ways to earn Arena Tickets via normal game methods.

Even without an Arena Ticket, you can still enjoy the Crucible Coliseum! Participate in the free training mode of each Arena for fun and practice!

Things to note
• PvP When you Want with no Risk!
The Arena of Chaos is always open in one way or another. While inside, you are free to PvP without penalty. You will lose no AP and will not suffer from Soul Sickness when you die!

• 6 Different Maps
During a bout in the Arena of Chaos, you will play on 3 of the 6 possible maps. Each one is very different, not only aesthetically, but mechanically as well. Some have easy mobs and gatherable objects with very high point values, some are flight enabled, some have near instant death environmental dangers- a large portion of an individual’s victory will depend on how well they know and utilize each map.

• Power isn’t Everything!
The Arena of Chaos is more about adaptability and strategy than sheer power. Knowing who to target, when to go after high value mobs, and how to use the various environmental dangers are all key to victory. It is very possible to attain a top ranking position without killing a single player!

• Threasure Chests and Gatherables
Treasure chests will spawn up in certain locations of the different maps. They house very powerful consumables that can be used for attack, defense, buffing or healing. Make sure to put them to good use, they will disappear from your inventory at the end of the match!

• Turning the Game Around in Round 3
If the match hasn’t been in your favor the first two rounds, all is not lost! In the 3rd round, a marker is placed above the 1st and 2nd place players heads to identify them. If someone kills the 1st place player, he/she will acquire 3x the points. If someone kills the 2nd place player, he/she will acquire 2x the points. Also, the 10th place player will receive a buff that increases PvP Attack and Defense by 10%.

• Acquiring and Losing Points
1. If you kill an opponent, you will acquire 1000 points. If a target is killed by more than one player, the points will be distributed by level of contribution.
2. If you are killed, you will lose 125 points.
3. Once 1st place acquires 50,000 points, regardless of how much time is left in the match, the game will be over.
4. There are multiple mobs, intractable objects and gatherable objects that can all earn your points! Pull levers, fire cannons, fly through flight rings, kill mobs, gather objects... oh and don’t forget to PvP.

Rewards

During the competitive version of the Arena of Chaos, you will earn Abyss Points, Crucible Insignias, and Courage Insignias based on how well you score during the match. While AP and Crucible Insignias can be earned elsewhere, the Arena of Chaos and the Arena of Discipline are currently the only place you can earn Courage Insignias. These valuable little commendations are key to purchasing the awesome new PvP gear available in version 2.7!

Arena of Chaos - Training



While you will need an Arena Ticket in order to earn any Abyss Points, Crucible Insignias, or Courage Insignias, the fun of the Coliseum doesn’t have to end if you run out! You may enter the training version of each arena at no ticket cost and at any time during the day.

• Characteristics of Training Center

1. You will be queued with characters close to your level. The groupings are 46-50 and 51-55.
2. The training arena is open all day every day. It will not consume an Arena Ticket and has a short lockout time of 15 minutes from your last entry.
3. Training has no actual rewards. You must spend an Arena Ticket and enter the Competitive version in order to receive Insignias and Abyss Points.
4. To enter training mode, queue through the NPC standing next to the Competitive entry door.

Arena of Chaos – List of Maps

Alquimia Culvert



Deep beneath the Alquimia Research Center lies a twisting sewer-like underground tunnel with narrow walkways, sticky sludge, and dark halls. Stay out of the sludge if you don’t wish to be slowed down considerably. An elite mob wanders the sewer hallways, attacking those who enter its territory. While it does offer points, its value is very low, so it is best to avoid it all together!



Gliding from this point can get you away from an attacker or closer to the action happening in the center of the map.



Now that you have the high ground, fire at will on the targets below! Just be sure to watch your back for anyone sneaking up the hallway behind you.



There isn’t much room to work with in the narrow hallways of Alquimia, however precision jumping can allow you to gain considerable distance from any unwanted pursuers.

Casus Ruins



The corrupt vampire Casus maintains control over the haunted ruins of her manor. Cursed to eternally haunt the manor, these vile souls defend their home viciously! Be very aware of your surroundings while in the Casus Ruins. There are many monsters, some invisible, residing inside. The bright side of such a gloomy place is that each of these monsters can earn you extra points! Look for Pale Carmina or Casus (affectionately referred to as Tentacle Beast around here) to earn a whopping 1500 points!



Tentacle Beast Corrupt Casus in all her 1500-point glory!

Collapsed Wind Tower



Flight is the name of the game inside the Collapsed Wind Tower. While there are no mobs to worry about, Eruptions of Lava frequently burst into the air, causing damage and stunning those unlucky enough to be in its pathway. Two player-controlled Cannons also appear and can easily clip your wings (or gain you points if you get there first)! If you find yourself on the business end of a cannon, being out of range or breaking line of sight are two good ways to avoid a cannonball to the face.



I’m sure if there isn’t already a proverb stating “He who controleth the cannon, controleth the ‘splodey,” there will be now. This thing packs a punch! You will only have a limited time inside, but that is plenty of time for a few Fire Paralysis Bombs (whoa) and of course the traditional Cannon blast. Target your foes and blast them out of the sky!

Decayed Garden



Shedding the boring cliché of beauty, life and serenity, the Decayed Garden is very much about a painful demise. Gaining a foothold on the center island can gain you an advantage over players attempting to cross the deadly swamp. Look for a refreshing object in the middle of the island and gain some points by being fast to grab it. Just remember that while the water might look fine, one moment of exposure to it will mean a very fast and painful death. Should you fall in, forget about drinking that healing potion- your days moments are numbered unless you happen to be a Cleric with Dispel III.



Look for the high points surrounding the island to safely glide over the deadly swamp.

Mumu Farm



Nowhere else within the Arena of Chaos are you offered mobs and gatherable objects with such high point values as in the Mumu Farm. 8 Mumu Gatherers and 4 Ore of Mind (350 Essencetapping) spawn periodically during the round and will bring in 1,250 points each! Being quick to focus on these targets can quickly move you up in the point standings.

Plaza of Struggle



Who doesn’t love fire? Look for switches on the top level of the Plaza of Struggle to activate the mouted gargoyle-head flamethrowers on the opposite side of the map. Not only will you earn 500 points for simple activating the switch, but you’ll also make any opponents in front of the flamethrowers crispy (its own reward, really).



Use the high walls in the center of the arena to break line of sight if you need some time to get away from an attacker.

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.