The hot topic this week has been the experience increase for quests
that is being patched to the Korean servers.  I imagine that this
signals that NCsoft has caught wind of some of the content holes in the
lower levels and the grindfest that has been rumored to afflict the
higher levels.  With North American players being nearly a year
behind the Korean players, we have a bit of time before these are issues
we experience for ourselves but there is already solid debate over the
potential patch.

So far, NCsoft has managed to make changes that were
well received.  No one could argue the player stores being nerfed
and the addition of more servers didn't meet much opposition. 
Start mucking about in experience gain though and you can be certain
there will be a fuss.  This leaves a taunt tightrope for NCsoft to
walk and it is never easy to make a decision that a section of the
playerbase will strongly disapprove of.

First, take a deep breath
everyone!  What happens to the Korean servers may or may not happen
on the NA and EU servers.  Being localized means that Aion
will have alterations made that make sense for our region and our
playstyle and this particular patch may or may not ever touch our own
servers.

Second, while it is hard to keep sight of, it is unlikely
that sweeping changes such as this one would be made with little
thought.  The experience changes seem to effect mostly upper levels
and only experience through questing so if the patch is implemented in
the same way it is for the Korean servers, it won't all of the sudden
make it insanely easy to level to cap.  There are an awful lot of
players who don't take the time to quest, leaving them to gain their
experience from mob kills and PvP, both game features that take a
primary role in progressing at the higher levels.

As a gamer, I can
see both sides of the fence.  I've personally dealt with the
frustration of grinding mobs to get to the next level in hopes of
finding more quests.  I've also watched as games continuously hike
up their experience gain making game progression a joke and allowing
players to go from level 1 to cap in a matter of days.  Neither is
good and both should be avoided, the trick is finding a good solution
that satisfies most players and keeps the integrity of the game intact.

Be sure to stop by our forums to

get in on the debate.  Which side of the fence do you sit on:
more experience and quicker progression, or leave it as it is?

-Savanja, Aion Site Lead

Our screenshot contest is over, but we still have plenty of
codes for in-games goodies!  Drop by

our forums and post to let us know you want one, and we will
continue handing them out until supplies are gone.

Ten Ton Hammer Features:

• 
  
  Chieftian Kumbaron Boss Guide - Get the inside tips on how
  to take the big guy down.
• 
  
  Lifestyles of the Rich and Good Looking: Making Kinah in Aion -
  Find out how you can maximize your earning potential.
• 
  The
  Day the Tower Was Lost - Read this lore tale on what really
  happened to Aion's tower.
• 
  
  Asmodian Aether Gathering Guide - Aether gathering made
  easier with this how to guide!

News From Around the Community:

• 
  
  NCsoft Addresses Gold Spam - Steps are being taken to ease
  the barrage of in-game spam attacks.
• 
  
  Staying or Leaving? Aion Poll Shows Surprising Results -
  Find out what percentage of polled players intend to stick around!
• 
  
  Aion's First Post-launch State of the Game Address - Aion's
  Executive Producer shares on latest news and developments.

Tip of the Week - Broker frustrations getting you down? 
Unable to find what you are looking for?  Remember that the broker
search function is capital sensitive!  Be sure to type in the item
that you are looking for exactly as it appears in game.  You can
also search for parts of the item name if you aren't sure of the full
name or spelling.  Example: Search for "Super Uber" on the broker
if you are looking for the "Super Uber Pauldrons of Coolness".

They Must be Roleplayers...

This one is brought you by one of our forum posters who pointed out
that a named mob in Aion has a very, umm, suggestive name. 
We present to you,

Chieftain Kumbaron.  There are some things you just don't want
to be the Baron of, this is one of them.  Ew.

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