Aion: Tower of Eternity, the ray of hope or another failed North American title for NCSoft.

As you can see from some of our past notes on MMOFTW we find ourselves drawn to MMO's in many different fashions or for a varying degree of reasons. We all find ourselves looking for a game that delivers to us. Everything we each want to have in a game, needs to be there. This is the reason why we, as gamers, have changed from one MMO to the next trying to find that happy medium. Community, raiding, casual groups, solo content and then all of the other factors such as game play, visual aesthetics, and simply how much we can relate to the game are all part of the equation.

After many MMO's and much looking for that ultimate gaming experience I have always found something deeply lacking. For Lineage II it was the hardcore grind style of play that turned away many casual and solo players who simply could not keep up with the hardcore players. For WoW it may be the cartoonish and horrible graphics or the unbalanced and silly PvP. For EQ2, it is the community or the lack thereof. For each game we find our single thing that drive us away from it only to settle with one of them because they meet most of our goals.

This brings me to Aion: Tower of Eternity. A game still in production by NCSoft and expected in beta in Korea in the next six months. Very little has really been leaked about Aion as of now but what I have seen leaves me waiting for the next tidbit of information. Aion is centered again around the open PvP world NC Soft seems to love to use in every game. Why wouldn't they? They are striving for some semblance of reality in this are they not? The graphics of this game simply speak for themselves. Now for what sets this title apart from the budding upcomers such as Age of Conan and the rest. A changing world. Yes, I said it and you saw it correctly. Each server for Aion will be effected by the PLAYERS and their choices in the game. No sever will be the same because of the effect the players can have on the environment/factions and the like. Something I know I was waiting to see in many worlds that have popped up all over the MMO scene. Not only that but currently they have 2 main factions, and word of a third race have come out to the light.

Now we find ourselves looking at a game with the game play that suits our needs. The graphics to sate anyones hunger for beauty and the new world changing nature of the game. Well there is even more. Wings! Yes you have heard me right again, your character can learn to form wings at their back and take to the skies to travel or just to cruise around. Now before you even think it, yes you can also take to the skies in battle. Tossed off a mountain? You simply have to form your wings and take to the air where aerial battles of epic proportions can ensue between players. Now add to this mixing pot of uberness a third faction that is a NPC faction and has AI. So during all the game play, castle sieges and whatnot (yes even Castle Sieges) that a third faction can walk onto the field and either help you or attack you. This is all added in.

All in all I can say I am simply excited by all of this. Everything I find lacking in many MMO's brought to life in a single game. I know I will keep my eye on this game as it evolves and will most likely be one of the people signing onto the beta for it. The rumors have some saying that Aion will be the next generation MMO that defines another set of rules that all will most likely just have to follow to stay competitive. We will find out soon enough if this game fills all the promises they are already making.