Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Queues have been the topic of the week.  Without a doubt there have been far too many and the queues have been far too long.  A game is suppose to encourage players to login and play and not turn them away in a vicious cycle of frustration.

I had rolled up a character on the Trinial server which for those who play there, you know how painful it can be to get logged in.  My first few attempts gave me a full queue message much to my dismay.  They weren't even going to let me wait in line so I was turned away from the velvet ropes and forced to find gameplay on another and less super cool server.  So much for my joyfully pre-made characters!

My experience echoes that of many other players but the good news is, it is getting better.  NCsoft announced that they will be adding new servers by the weekend to handle peak loads and hopefully ease things for the European launch scheduled for Friday.  Server caps were already raised which made a noticeable difference for me.  During evening hours I had yet to get into Lumiel (another super cool server) without a 1-2 hour wait and last night I logged in with no queue at all.

Slow progress is still progress!

Not directly Aion related, but definitely a subject that should be given the topic, is Medawky's really good article regarding the objectification of women in MMOGs.  Certainly few other games aim for the sexy aspect of appearance than Aion making it a target for such debates.  I find such discussions to be silly.  Game avatars ARE objects and SHOULD be objectified.  My character skin doesn't have a personality unless I give her use of mine making her a tool, not a human being in need of respect.

I think this is where the blur between fantasy and reality always gets mucked up.  Killing baby seals in game doesn't make you a animal rights nightmare and sporting a leather miniskirt and virtual wonderbra in game doesn't make you a man hungry sexpot.  Learn and know the difference and the gaming world will be a better place for us all.

-Savanja, Aion Site Lead

Remember that in order to keep playing this week, you have to enter in a valid serial code for Aion.  You can find a great step-by-step walk through on the activation process on the official forums.

Ten Ton Hammer Features:

• Guide to In-game Graphics - Get more from your machine.
• Aion Screenshot Contest - Win a code for in game goodies and a shot at the limited edition Aion comic book!
• Ten Ton Hammer's Aion FAQ - All the answers to the questions that you were afraid to ask.
• The Hyped Fan - A Gaming Lovestory - Avoid the post-launch let down by understanding it.
• Aion Stigma System Overview - Get the basics on this important customization feature!

News From Around the Community:

• NCsoft to Add New Servers - Finally, to ease login wait times, new servers are being added!
• Mana Potion Uses Wii Controllers to Play Aion - A disturbing, yet amusing combination.
• Statement on Discouraging Queues - Aion rep speaks out about player complaints.
• The Unofficial Special Server List - RPers and Non-English speaking communities look here to find friends.

Tip of the Week - To apply in-game pre-order items, follow these steps.

• Log into master account.
• Select your Aion game account.
• Select "Apply In-Game Items" then choose your server and character.
• Choose your pack and apply it!

If the pack you have is unlimited then you may repeat the process with your other characters.

They Must be Roleplayers...

While naming restrictions have been put in place barring the most vulgar of names from game, there is still a wide variety of creative avatars running around.  I spotted my favorite Elyos and this one even came with a beautiful matching legion name.

Krumbles sporting the legion name "A Gang of Toast".  Best name ever sir!

Have you seen a great in game name?  Share it with us!