Aion NA going F2P as well as 3.0 News!!

Aion Europe switched over to the F2P model not too long ago which left some North American players wondering if we'd be so lucky. Well the announcement has been made and coming with the release of 3.0 is the implementation of a F2P model for the NA servers. Here's the Linky Link to the F2P info website. Here also is the letter from NCSoft making the announcement that this spring we will not only be level 60, decorating player housing and running around on mounts but it will be FREE...

Aion: Ascension Debuts with Innovative Truly Free Business Model and Epic 3.0 Content Update
North American Players to Experience Full Game Features and 3.0 Content Free of Charge this Spring

Seattle, WA – February 21, 2012 – NCsoft®, the world's premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), today announces Aion: Ascension, the Truly Free evolution of Aion, the award–winning fantasy MMO that rivals other MMOs with its stunning graphics, fierce PvP and customization. Aion: Ascension brings players unrestricted access to a world filled with deep lore, exploration and epic faction battles free of charge. Coupled with the change in business model coming this Spring, players will experience everything in the highly anticipated 3.0 content update, including housing, mounts, increased level cap (60), new zones and instances.

Aion: Ascension's Truly Free business model gives players access to the entire game, including the two major expansions, 3,000+ quests, 30+ instances, 18 zones, three instanced PvP games, pets, classes and key social features like the auction house, chat, trade, crafting, gathering and forums. And with new content from the 3.0 update, which provide several new gameplay systems that Aion fans have been asking for, Aion: Ascension will be one of the most compelling MMOs on the market.

Players experiencing the world of Atreia for the first time will be welcomed into the game with a refined starting area with ample content engaging players from the beginning of their journey with guides designed to assist their current efforts and advise them on where to go next. Returning and current players will not only be able to jump back into the game for free, but will find the new content coming in Aion 3.0 a great addition to the already strong offering.

For players wanting a head start, NCsoft is hosting a "Rallying the Troops" event which will give new players an extended no time limit trial with an increased level cap to 40, whilst returning veterans will have their accounts reactivated free for 14 days. In addition, everyone will enjoy permanent increased XP as well as other boosts to help level and gear up to experience the new content faster.

A sample of features coming in the Aion 3.0 content update include:
Housing System – Everyone gets a home. Decorate and party in your new home.
Mount System – A new gameplay system which lets Daevas speed around the world of Atreia in style.
New Instances – Six new instances including a challenging 24-player raid.
New Zones – Two stunning new zones in the Balaur homeland.
New Level Cap – Five new levels bringing the max level to 60.

In addition to the new business model and Aion 3.0 content, NCsoft will implement new RMT countermeasures to ensure a safe and secure gaming experience for all of its players. These highly effective, proprietary methods will specifically target fraudulent transactions, bots and spammers and the confiscation of goods that have been acquired through RMT activities so that players can experience a no hassle/no harassment MMO experience.

Aion: Ascension with the innovative and improved Truly Free business model along with the 3.0 content update is scheduled to launch this Spring. More information can be found at na.aiononline.com.

EQ2 New Marketplace Items- Misty Unicorn, Emerald Lichslayer sword and another home weapon display crate.

3 New Marketplace items came out today. Here they are...

Misty Unicorn- 1950 SC

Emerald Lichslayer- 500 SC

Stormcatcher's Weapon Home Display Crate- 100 SC

For more info on all 3 hop on over to the Everquest2 site.

WoW 4.3 Companion Pets, Mounts, Armor and MORE on MMO-Champion

 MMO-Champion.com has thrown up previews of tons of stuff being added in 4.3 including some things found in the game files that come from locations unknown. Want a peek at what new stuff you might be able to get your hands on? Here's some links.

4.3 Companion Pets
4.3 Mounts
4.3 Valor Point Rewards
4.3 Season 11 Armor Sets

Also remember 4.3 adds the Raid Finder, Transmogrification, and Void Storage.

Speculation is that 4.3 will go live on Nov. 29th or Dec 6th. If you want to get into that debate hop over to WoW Insider.

EQ2 New Marketplace Items, Shadowed Deathcharger and Heartblood Armor Crate

EQ2 has added a couple new items to the Station Marketplace this past week. A new mount, the Shadowed Deathcharger and a new appearance armor set, Heartblood. Check out the EQ2 site for all the details. 

The Shadowed Deathcharger (1950 Station Cash)

Heartblood Armor Crate (1100 Station Cash)

EQ2 Age of Discovery Pre-Order Now Available! Gifts Galore!

EQ2 has made their next expansion, Age of Discovery, available for pre-order. The expansion is expected to release late Nov. or early Dec. so you don't have much time but pre-ordering the game and the collectors edition will give you tons of fancy gifts. (saving up my dollars as fast as possible). ZAM has the full write-up. Here's the stuff you'll get with your pre-order.

Unique Beastlord Warder Pet

Cloak of the Truespirit

Lavastorm Prestige Home

Armored Flying Pegasus Mount

Robe of the Truespirit

Aion 3.0 teasers

There's been a lot of stuff floating around about what will come with Aion 3.0. I'm seeing all kinds of great stuff. Aion players will finally be getting mounts, including flying ones (though the flyers seem to still be limited in flight time like the current ability to fly). Player housing is also a big new addition to the game. There's new instances and armor to go with it. Here's the official trailer.

Daeva's Report has been getting a ton of info from the Korean test server where the 3.0 update is available. They have a bunch of videos on their YouTube channel of the new mounts and some new wings that are coming with 3.0. All beautiful stuff.

Aion is by far my favorite game but my least played. I haven't found a super casual legion like the one I would need. I have mentioned my playtime is easily and frequently interrupted which makes PvP and grouping mostly impossible. I have tried to get a few friends to play so I wouldn't be so lonely in game but they don't stick around long as it's a bit more complicated of a game then say WoW.  I do tend to go back and run around solo until I get sick of being lonely LOL. If you know of a super casual Aion legion who won't expect me to group or do raids let me know. Thanks :)

WoW real money vanity pet and Annual Pass mount

As I mentioned before I'm going to be playing catch up for a while but I feel it's my duty to post about this because, ummm they're cute.

Wow added a new pet to their Pet Store which is where you can purchase vanity pets and mounts for real money vs. in game gold. The Guardian cub. A baby version of what many people call the "Disco Lion" mount. The thing that is different about this pet is that it is tradeable and can be sold on the auction house. Perhaps Blizzard's way of reducing the purchasing of gold from gold selling sites. Many players thought this would be their pay day and from what I heard on some servers the first cubs sold on the AH for 20-30k gold. This however didn't last long as on my server within a few days the cubs were down to 6k gold. Some people feel in the future there will be fewer people buying them in the pet store and selling them once the "New SHINY" wears off causing the price to go back up and make them a viable source of gold again. I however feel there isn't an infinite number of people who are going to want to buy these cute little buggers off the AH. Once a lot of people have them they won't be buying any more. Only time can tell. Read More.

The other new item available from Blizzard is the lovely Tyrael’s Charger. To obtain this beautiful flying mount you must commit to subscribing to WoW's annual pass. This doesn't work like many games annual passes where you are charged all at once for the full year. Instead you choose. You can agree to subscribe for a full year and continue to pay your $14.99/month and in that full year you cannot cancel your subscription or you can choose other full year payment plans. In addition to the pretty mount you also get Diablo III for FREE and you are an automatic in for the next expansion's beta. Not too shabby. Read More.