random guy:Chocolate cake with strawberry filling is the greatest cake EVER!!! random guy2: NO IT"S NOT ! Its just the same thing as a chocolate cake with a twist chocolate cake is still better!!! random guy 3: YOUR ALL WRONG ITS ALL ABOUT PIE!!!
that's what all the Aion threads are starting to look like.
what it looks like to me -- is people who dont like AION and wont be playing AION are coming to the AION forums to stir the pot -- says alot about the pull whatever games they are playing has over them. and before the clowns say something stupid, I am here, on the AION forums, because I will be buying the game 9/22. I have a vested interest in the game and therefore visit the forums. You are here, because, well, whatever game your playing sucks and you have nothing better to do with your time.
Enjoy !!
You clearly don't vist them enough I am playing Aion's OB, and loving every moment of the open beta and have posted that i like it in numerous posts and I have already purchased my copy of Aion and ready to go all out on the 22nd. If you didn't get my statement about cake and pie then well you clearly don't like cake or pie you must be a pudding man.
and to clear it up for you.
Aion=cake with stawberry filling, taste good has a nice twist.
WoW= chocolate cake majority of the people will enjoy it.
EVE= pie........you make your conclusion there (I tried eve wasn't my cup of tea but concept is cool)
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein
Whats with all the cake/pie/food references in the later threads? Are you just up late (like me) and want some ice cream but only have baked goods? Seriously. Me = bong water. You = pudding. This = retarded.
Whats with all the cake/pie/food references in the later threads? Are you just up late (like me) and want some ice cream but only have baked goods? Seriously. Me = bong water. You = pudding. This = retarded.
yeah it is pretty retarted but if u look at all the new aion threads basicly the same argument, and yeah i know its kinda late but its friday and I'm halfway through a fith of captain moragn
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein
If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like.
There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
Fear 1 and definitly Fear 2 really went beyond DOOM for me. I even felt QuakeWars went beyond DOOM. So atleast to me not every shooter playes like DOOM, in fact DOOM is way way WAY behind the current crop of FPS games atleast for me it's fact. Perhaps I play to many genre of games and have love towards many genre's.
Anyway I am not disliking Aion, but I think I am lucky to not have followed the game up close, but just entered the OB without to many expectations. So far to me even with very limited time Aion feels more MMO to me then I felt when I tested champions, which to me felt like just a Action Online game, even more funny I love superhero's but simply can not get into the whole City of Hero/Champions Online hero feel. And not really found of Fantsay cause I crave for Sci-Fi but like I said for now I am having some fun with Aion.
I just have a few minor issue's with the game, some I have already posted but some seem not able to understand them as one person for some reason pulls his protective shield up when ever someone might say something about some minor issue.
If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like.
There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
Um...I don't like Aion because I don't like Aion. Has nothing to do with the genre, I just don't get anything out of Aion, don't like the art style, the sounds, or the way it feels when I play it. Yes, it's well done, for what they intended to do, it's well polished, runs well, but it all feels rather soulless to me. Simple as that. Those are my opinions and my reasons why I will not be playing it.
Not sure if this thread was meant to be serious, but if so, stupid assumptions and simplistic views ftl.
exaclty ,it feel soulless,like ncsoft kept it for an expension or whatever their plan is for pvp lol
Lol @games having souls. I'm guessing you are betting that there are video games in Heaven?
Anyway, this is the last I'll say about this. Both your original post and the OP are of the same ilk. Trying to place everyone that plays games into a nice little box. Real life just doesn't work like that.
Then I would be placing myself in a box as well..............
You did not experience all that WoW has to offer.
And the sad reality is, all that seperates games from one another currently are PLAYER PREFFERENCES. What? 60% of EQ players said they wish they could solo? Let's give em solo! What? 90% of L2 players said they wish they did not HAVE to play on a PvP server? Let's give em the choice! What? Our customers hate clerics and don't want to be beaten in PvP by one? Let's nerf clerics!
The fact is, like WoW or not, Blizzard is the only company truly listening to the MAJORITY! That doesn't mean they all like the same things or hate the same things about WoW. But it does mean that the MAJORITY of people who play will like it more than hate it. Other companies can not come close to WoW because they do not listen to their players. They listen to statistics about what games have done well, what investments are safe, and what they've tried in the past that worked. Then they mass produce those statistics the same way they did boom boxes/CD players in the eighties and game consoles in the nineties.
If you can't see that Aion is WoW with different player prefferances (character appearance, mount vs. wings, enchants vs runes, pvp vs. pve, etc) then you haven't experienced ALL of WoW... and with it, all that the gaming industry currently has to offer... because no-one... NO-ONE is getting what the players want right anytime soon better than the ONE BBB accreditted MMORPG company that listens to their players!
The fact is... and I'm sorry to tell you this... if you don't like WoW, then you aren't the gaming industries target audience!!! Peace!
If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like.
There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
ridiculous and non sense
I play Lotro, played VG, DAOC EQ2 and a lot of MMOS (AOC, AO etc)
But i can't play KOREAN mmos. aion is another korean mmo no more no less, not for me
Then I would be placing myself in a box as well..............
You did not experience all that WoW has to offer.
And the sad reality is, all that seperates games from one another currently are PLAYER PREFFERENCES. What? 60% of EQ players said they wish they could solo? Let's give em solo! What? 90% of L2 players said they wish they did not HAVE to play on a PvP server? Let's give em the choice! What? Our customers hate clerics and don't want to be beaten in PvP by one? Let's nerf clerics!
The fact is, like WoW or not, Blizzard is the only company truly listening to the MAJORITY! That doesn't mean they all like the same things or hate the same things about WoW. But it does mean that the MAJORITY of people who play will like it more than hate it. Other companies can not come close to WoW because they do not listen to their players. They listen to statistics about what games have done well, what investments are safe, and what they've tried in the past that worked. Then they mass produce those statistics the same way they did boom boxes/CD players in the eighties and game consoles in the nineties.
If you can't see that Aion is WoW with different player prefferances (character appearance, mount vs. wings, enchants vs runes, pvp vs. pve, etc) then you haven't experienced ALL of WoW... and with it, all that the gaming industry currently has to offer... because no-one... NO-ONE is getting what the players want right anytime soon better than the ONE BBB accreditted MMORPG company that listens to their players!
The fact is... and I'm sorry to tell you this... if you don't like WoW, then you aren't the gaming industries target audience!!! Peace!
Majority of gamers like FPS's- so there should only be FPS genre around! Why make RPG's when majority of players like FPS? Yeah, excellent logic you got there.
Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
Majority of gamers like FPS's- so there should only be FPS genre around! Why make RPG's when majority of players like FPS? Yeah, excellent logic you got there.
Show me ONE FPS that's made as much money as WoW! You're WAAAAY off base. We're not talking about types of games. We're talking about types of people that play the undisputed single highest revenue generating genre in gaming. It doesn't cost 50 million to make an FPS.
Show me ONE FPS that's made as much money as WoW! You're WAAAAY off base. We're not talking about types of games. We're talking about types of people that play the undisputed single highest revenue generating genre in gaming. It doesn't cost 50 million to make an FPS.
Oh, because majority likes MMO's companies should stop making FPS's now? Your logic is getting even better. Go with the majority, that is the right answer!
Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like.
There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
Uh FPS's these days play nothing like Doom, look nothing like Doom. I also beg to differ that there is no innovation in the MMORPG market, you just don't see them become successful, due to certain circumstances. EVE surely isn't on your themepark, I-wannabe-Legolas forumla for one. Warhammer at least had new ideas for the genre (leveling through pvp); although the game was nowhere near finished. Your type of attitude is why this genre has gone nowhere in the past 9 years.
If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like.
There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
Bullshit! Freaking troll!
MMOs have plenty of innovations left and Fps games of today are a massive improvement over Doom.
Originally posted by metalhead980 Originally posted by glofish If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like. There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
Bullshit! Freaking troll! MMOs have plenty of innovations left and Fps games of today are a massive improvement over Doom.
Aw this thread is coming along nicely, we have Ebon who likes to trash people, and then we have Metalhead here who has anger management issues.
All we need is Zorndorf to tell us all how WoW is the greatest game ever because so many people play.
Then the thread would be ripe and ready to get locked lol
If you don't like Aion you don't really like MMOs anymore. Aion is just the latest MMO that you don't like.
There is no magic formula or innovation that can be had in this field. Just like every shooter plays like Doom yet no one can match the intensity of Doom ever again. The innovation will come from another genre altogether.
So you are saying that Aion is the perfection of MMOs and so if some one doesn't like it he will not like any other MMO...
Originally posted by Eben Don't know why I'm bothering in attempting to rationalize this to someone who is obviously nothing but a pedantic fanboy seeking to rubber-stamp reasons why someone doesn't like his current FOTM game, and nothing I say will satisfy you, but I'll bite; By 'soul', I mean Aion, at no point, strikes me as being a living, breathing world, nor does it seem as though the devs seek to make my character a part of that world. It mostly reminds me of fluff/filler that is designed to funnel me into the Abyss.
What part of WoW strikes you as a living breathing world ... today? Not a single one.
Yet when I first played it I thought it was a real and magical world. I thought my actions made a difference, I thought my journey mattered at all. Today I know better. Thus I think you and many others are looking for a feeling that could only be experienced once in your life.
Had you played Aion first then WoW would you really believe that finding Mankrik's wife actually matters?
So if the world does not seem living and breathing to you I'll stick with my original assessment - there is no MMO that would feel like so to you today!
Sure there is, it's called EVE. I feel like the EVE devs care very much about what they've created, which is the point I'm trying to make.
You're misunderstanding. Aion feels like a product. It feels like the devs went into it, under the mindset that they were making a disposable product, and nothing more. And it felt like that the first minutes after I'd logged in the very first time in Aion. Not sure why you toss WoW into this, but that's fine, since I can use it as an example; I highly doubt I'd see a hidden monument in a secluded area of Aion, to honor a friend of a dev that had passed away. I can't see any of the Aion devs caring enough about Aion to do something like that, or thinking that highly of the world they've created.
You keep making the same posts over and over again without actually saying anything.
Yes EVE is a living and breathing world because it relies almost entirely on player interaction, the actual universe of EVE doesn't feel all that alive, not very surprising as it is space after all.
You keep repeating "Aion doesn't have soul, it feels like a product". First of all, no MMORPG developer is going to develop an MMO as a disposable product. MMORPG development is a long term commitment and if you look at NCsofts trackrecord with Lineage and Lineage 2, it's very obvious NCsoft is aware of this.
I find your example rather poor. A hidden monument dedicated to an out of game person somehow makes the world feel more alive? That makes no sense.I think WoW does feel more like a World than Aion does, but this is mostly because the world design in WoW just feels open. It feels like a real world when you're travelling through it, but I can't really say the world feels "alive" or "changing".
I do agree with you that, at least with my experience so far, the game world in Aion doesn't feel alive but at the same time i'd say most mmorpgs today don't have a living breathing world because the focus has shifted towards direct gameplay such as combat and questing as opposed to indirect gameplay such as player housing, crafting and economy.
I just played the beta for the first time and I think it is well done overall (from an objective point of view, provided that you accept the MMORPG formula). However, there is a catch. It is indeed the typical MMORPG with a similar gameplay you had like 10 years ago and it clearly shows signs of fatigue on me by now. I played 'till level 7 or so tonight and — really — almost all quests were about killing a number of creatures, with like a handful where I had to click on objects. This gave the game an unsettling Asia-Grinder feel. The style of the game also looks like it's designed by my grandma. It has some kind of baroque kitsch feel to it that really makes me feel uneasy, despite the fantastic character creation. So it comes down to, in my opinion: the game is well done from an objective point of view, but you may still subjectively dislike it.
All right, I'm going to go postal on your right now. It's nothing personal, it's just that I'm TIRED... tired, tired, tired, T I R E D, of the same old ill-informed re-gurgitated crap I keep seeing repeated over and over again on these forums.
Firstly, it's not an "asian grinder." It's nothing like an Asian grinder. In fact if you want to compare the leveling curve to any game, it's probably closest to what WoW was like at release. I'd say that Aion in terms of levelling is a lot less grindy than many western games, EQ2 and DAOC (though that was an older game). It just seems to me like a lot of people go in with this pre-conceived notion of "asian-grinder" and then fit the reality to their expectations.
The leveling in WoW has been eased out a lot, but that's because they've raised the cap to 85. And I have a feeling that reaching the level cap from scratch in WoW today probably takes longer than it will to take in Aion. It just feels shorter cause they've added more numbers at the end to give the illusion of greater content.
Similar gameplay to 10 years now? And you played till level 7? This is the second part of your post that is driving me crazy. Aion is not like a typical MMORPG where it's all about the leveling experience. To me, levels 1-20 are PRACTISE levels, where you learn your toon and earn abilities. And these levels are pretty easy to get. The object is to prepare you for the PvP and metagame which starts around 20ish, and increases till the level cap. Aion is all about GROUP PvP be it small groups or larger hordes clashing in the abyss. That is where the focus of the game lies.
Now if you want to say that at levels 1-20 it's not very different from a typical modern MMO, that's probably kinda sorta true, but it's also an idiotic analysis to make because you have to consider what the focus of the game is. Each MMO has one. In Aion it's group PvP and end game PvP. Now if that's not your cup of tea, that's fine, but to make any sort of judgement without considering what is clearly the CORE mechanic of the game... it's not only pre-mature but just plain ridiculous.
Me? I've always been an end-game player. I enjoy the leveling and the questing and all that jazz, but if I wanted truely immersive story lines and questiing, well for the former I'd probably read an amazing novel, or at least play a kick ass single player rpg's because they are much more conducive to this kind of experience. But in the main I want to get to the end game and compete with and against other high level players. I want to siege castles and keeps and fight for territory. I want to join a select band of warriors and tear through the country side with them.
Has this kind of stuff been done before? Will yes, in a way DAOC did it. I see Aion and being an evolution and improvement of that.
There is no current game on teh market that provides the kind of PvP that Aion does.
I get that they are TRYING to appeal to the PvE crowd, and they seem to be having SOME success in it, which is why we're seeing all the WoW kiddies crying non-stop about how this game isn't different enough from WoW.
Well, I'll say it now. If all you care about is PvE, then no just stick to fliping WOW. They are kings of PvE.
If however, like me, you want a bit more freedom, to create your own content through pitting your wits agaisnt the best players on the server in team based warfare then that's what Aion is all about. And I'll be playing it come Sept 20th.
Comments
what it looks like to me -- is people who dont like AION and wont be playing AION are coming to the AION forums to stir the pot -- says alot about the pull whatever games they are playing has over them. and before the clowns say something stupid, I am here, on the AION forums, because I will be buying the game 9/22. I have a vested interest in the game and therefore visit the forums. You are here, because, well, whatever game your playing sucks and you have nothing better to do with your time.
Enjoy !!
You clearly don't vist them enough I am playing Aion's OB, and loving every moment of the open beta and have posted that i like it in numerous posts and I have already purchased my copy of Aion and ready to go all out on the 22nd. If you didn't get my statement about cake and pie then well you clearly don't like cake or pie you must be a pudding man.
and to clear it up for you.
Aion=cake with stawberry filling, taste good has a nice twist.
WoW= chocolate cake majority of the people will enjoy it.
EVE= pie........you make your conclusion there (I tried eve wasn't my cup of tea but concept is cool)
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein
Whats with all the cake/pie/food references in the later threads? Are you just up late (like me) and want some ice cream but only have baked goods? Seriously. Me = bong water. You = pudding. This = retarded.
yeah it is pretty retarted but if u look at all the new aion threads basicly the same argument, and yeah i know its kinda late but its friday and I'm halfway through a fith of captain moragn
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein
Fear 1 and definitly Fear 2 really went beyond DOOM for me. I even felt QuakeWars went beyond DOOM. So atleast to me not every shooter playes like DOOM, in fact DOOM is way way WAY behind the current crop of FPS games atleast for me it's fact. Perhaps I play to many genre of games and have love towards many genre's.
Anyway I am not disliking Aion, but I think I am lucky to not have followed the game up close, but just entered the OB without to many expectations. So far to me even with very limited time Aion feels more MMO to me then I felt when I tested champions, which to me felt like just a Action Online game, even more funny I love superhero's but simply can not get into the whole City of Hero/Champions Online hero feel. And not really found of Fantsay cause I crave for Sci-Fi but like I said for now I am having some fun with Aion.
I just have a few minor issue's with the game, some I have already posted but some seem not able to understand them as one person for some reason pulls his protective shield up when ever someone might say something about some minor issue.
Um...I don't like Aion because I don't like Aion. Has nothing to do with the genre, I just don't get anything out of Aion, don't like the art style, the sounds, or the way it feels when I play it. Yes, it's well done, for what they intended to do, it's well polished, runs well, but it all feels rather soulless to me. Simple as that. Those are my opinions and my reasons why I will not be playing it.
Not sure if this thread was meant to be serious, but if so, stupid assumptions and simplistic views ftl.
exaclty ,it feel soulless,like ncsoft kept it for an expension or whatever their plan is for pvp lol
Lol @games having souls. I'm guessing you are betting that there are video games in Heaven?
Then I would be placing myself in a box as well..............
You did not experience all that WoW has to offer.
And the sad reality is, all that seperates games from one another currently are PLAYER PREFFERENCES. What? 60% of EQ players said they wish they could solo? Let's give em solo! What? 90% of L2 players said they wish they did not HAVE to play on a PvP server? Let's give em the choice! What? Our customers hate clerics and don't want to be beaten in PvP by one? Let's nerf clerics!
The fact is, like WoW or not, Blizzard is the only company truly listening to the MAJORITY! That doesn't mean they all like the same things or hate the same things about WoW. But it does mean that the MAJORITY of people who play will like it more than hate it. Other companies can not come close to WoW because they do not listen to their players. They listen to statistics about what games have done well, what investments are safe, and what they've tried in the past that worked. Then they mass produce those statistics the same way they did boom boxes/CD players in the eighties and game consoles in the nineties.
If you can't see that Aion is WoW with different player prefferances (character appearance, mount vs. wings, enchants vs runes, pvp vs. pve, etc) then you haven't experienced ALL of WoW... and with it, all that the gaming industry currently has to offer... because no-one... NO-ONE is getting what the players want right anytime soon better than the ONE BBB accreditted MMORPG company that listens to their players!
The fact is... and I'm sorry to tell you this... if you don't like WoW, then you aren't the gaming industries target audience!!! Peace!
ridiculous and non sense
I play Lotro, played VG, DAOC EQ2 and a lot of MMOS (AOC, AO etc)
But i can't play KOREAN mmos. aion is another korean mmo no more no less, not for me
Majority of gamers like FPS's- so there should only be FPS genre around! Why make RPG's when majority of players like FPS? Yeah, excellent logic you got there.
Show me ONE FPS that's made as much money as WoW! You're WAAAAY off base. We're not talking about types of games. We're talking about types of people that play the undisputed single highest revenue generating genre in gaming. It doesn't cost 50 million to make an FPS.
Oh, because majority likes MMO's companies should stop making FPS's now? Your logic is getting even better. Go with the majority, that is the right answer!
Uh FPS's these days play nothing like Doom, look nothing like Doom. I also beg to differ that there is no innovation in the MMORPG market, you just don't see them become successful, due to certain circumstances. EVE surely isn't on your themepark, I-wannabe-Legolas forumla for one. Warhammer at least had new ideas for the genre (leveling through pvp); although the game was nowhere near finished. Your type of attitude is why this genre has gone nowhere in the past 9 years.
Bullshit! Freaking troll!
MMOs have plenty of innovations left and Fps games of today are a massive improvement over Doom.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
MMOs have plenty of innovations left and Fps games of today are a massive improvement over Doom.
Aw this thread is coming along nicely, we have Ebon who likes to trash people, and then we have Metalhead here who has anger management issues.
All we need is Zorndorf to tell us all how WoW is the greatest game ever because so many people play.
Then the thread would be ripe and ready to get locked lol
So you are saying that Aion is the perfection of MMOs and so if some one doesn't like it he will not like any other MMO...
You funboys really need to calm down a bit :P
mm i dont like aion but i love eq2 and i only started a week ago what do you make of that funboy
You guys cant see the truth that lies between?
On one side hes wrong, because many of you still like mmos.
On one side hes right, because NOT ALL of you still like mmos.
For me I just see whats in between, some People are burnt out on mmos but continue to play.
What part of WoW strikes you as a living breathing world ... today? Not a single one.
Yet when I first played it I thought it was a real and magical world. I thought my actions made a difference, I thought my journey mattered at all. Today I know better. Thus I think you and many others are looking for a feeling that could only be experienced once in your life.
Had you played Aion first then WoW would you really believe that finding Mankrik's wife actually matters?
So if the world does not seem living and breathing to you I'll stick with my original assessment - there is no MMO that would feel like so to you today!
Sure there is, it's called EVE. I feel like the EVE devs care very much about what they've created, which is the point I'm trying to make.
You're misunderstanding. Aion feels like a product. It feels like the devs went into it, under the mindset that they were making a disposable product, and nothing more. And it felt like that the first minutes after I'd logged in the very first time in Aion. Not sure why you toss WoW into this, but that's fine, since I can use it as an example; I highly doubt I'd see a hidden monument in a secluded area of Aion, to honor a friend of a dev that had passed away. I can't see any of the Aion devs caring enough about Aion to do something like that, or thinking that highly of the world they've created.
You keep making the same posts over and over again without actually saying anything.
Yes EVE is a living and breathing world because it relies almost entirely on player interaction, the actual universe of EVE doesn't feel all that alive, not very surprising as it is space after all.
You keep repeating "Aion doesn't have soul, it feels like a product". First of all, no MMORPG developer is going to develop an MMO as a disposable product. MMORPG development is a long term commitment and if you look at NCsofts trackrecord with Lineage and Lineage 2, it's very obvious NCsoft is aware of this.
I find your example rather poor. A hidden monument dedicated to an out of game person somehow makes the world feel more alive? That makes no sense.I think WoW does feel more like a World than Aion does, but this is mostly because the world design in WoW just feels open. It feels like a real world when you're travelling through it, but I can't really say the world feels "alive" or "changing".
I do agree with you that, at least with my experience so far, the game world in Aion doesn't feel alive but at the same time i'd say most mmorpgs today don't have a living breathing world because the focus has shifted towards direct gameplay such as combat and questing as opposed to indirect gameplay such as player housing, crafting and economy.
Lol, play what you like, I'd rather play an MMO that isn't dying and will last for the next few years.
All right, I'm going to go postal on your right now. It's nothing personal, it's just that I'm TIRED... tired, tired, tired, T I R E D, of the same old ill-informed re-gurgitated crap I keep seeing repeated over and over again on these forums.
Firstly, it's not an "asian grinder." It's nothing like an Asian grinder. In fact if you want to compare the leveling curve to any game, it's probably closest to what WoW was like at release. I'd say that Aion in terms of levelling is a lot less grindy than many western games, EQ2 and DAOC (though that was an older game). It just seems to me like a lot of people go in with this pre-conceived notion of "asian-grinder" and then fit the reality to their expectations.
The leveling in WoW has been eased out a lot, but that's because they've raised the cap to 85. And I have a feeling that reaching the level cap from scratch in WoW today probably takes longer than it will to take in Aion. It just feels shorter cause they've added more numbers at the end to give the illusion of greater content.
Similar gameplay to 10 years now? And you played till level 7? This is the second part of your post that is driving me crazy. Aion is not like a typical MMORPG where it's all about the leveling experience. To me, levels 1-20 are PRACTISE levels, where you learn your toon and earn abilities. And these levels are pretty easy to get. The object is to prepare you for the PvP and metagame which starts around 20ish, and increases till the level cap. Aion is all about GROUP PvP be it small groups or larger hordes clashing in the abyss. That is where the focus of the game lies.
Now if you want to say that at levels 1-20 it's not very different from a typical modern MMO, that's probably kinda sorta true, but it's also an idiotic analysis to make because you have to consider what the focus of the game is. Each MMO has one. In Aion it's group PvP and end game PvP. Now if that's not your cup of tea, that's fine, but to make any sort of judgement without considering what is clearly the CORE mechanic of the game... it's not only pre-mature but just plain ridiculous.
Me? I've always been an end-game player. I enjoy the leveling and the questing and all that jazz, but if I wanted truely immersive story lines and questiing, well for the former I'd probably read an amazing novel, or at least play a kick ass single player rpg's because they are much more conducive to this kind of experience. But in the main I want to get to the end game and compete with and against other high level players. I want to siege castles and keeps and fight for territory. I want to join a select band of warriors and tear through the country side with them.
Has this kind of stuff been done before? Will yes, in a way DAOC did it. I see Aion and being an evolution and improvement of that.
There is no current game on teh market that provides the kind of PvP that Aion does.
I get that they are TRYING to appeal to the PvE crowd, and they seem to be having SOME success in it, which is why we're seeing all the WoW kiddies crying non-stop about how this game isn't different enough from WoW.
Well, I'll say it now. If all you care about is PvE, then no just stick to fliping WOW. They are kings of PvE.
If however, like me, you want a bit more freedom, to create your own content through pitting your wits agaisnt the best players on the server in team based warfare then that's what Aion is all about. And I'll be playing it come Sept 20th.