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

Virtual trade is growing by leaps and bounds.  Something that used to be a dirty word in gaming has become a popular feature for both gaming companies and players.  While I will never get behind the trade of in game currency, armor, weapons, and other game altering items, it seems that the purchase possibilities of fluff items is slowly making its way into Aion.

It was announced this last week that NCsoft will be offering an Aion Holiday Ascension Pack.  This pack will have a few little goodies in it that combine both fun fluff items and a few minor items that will enhance playability.  Armor dye, life potions, a lodas amulet that boosts experience gain, and running scrolls round out the little pack that will be available for purchase this holiday season.  While I can say that these things are fairly harmless (assuming that the pack is limited one to an account) this paves the way for future marketing which may put up items that aren't so harmless.

Where should a gaming company draw the line?

I have no doubt that anything NCsoft chooses to sell for Aion will get buyers.  If there has been anything that gold sellers have taught us it is that there will always be people out there willing to throw cash at their hobby in order to get better results for less effort.  The underground gold sales market has been the character Enzyte in the gaming world for a very long time.  Can't get that shiny new armor on your own?  Feeling less than masculine at level 40 when all of your friends are at level 50? We have the product for you!  While everyone else gets going the good ole fashioned way, Bob over there buys his way to coolness so he can feel good about himself amongst harder working players.

Just because they can sell it, doesn't mean they should.  While I realize that ethics in business is a lost art, there still is the notion of peeving off consumers with poor business choices.  We don't know yet what NCsoft has in store for future virtual trade promotions or if they intend to set up a marketplace for NA Aion, but I think it's worth wondering how the playerbase feels about the type of items Aion ends up selling for real life cash.  Are there lines they should not cross?  What about items that you might like to eventually see for sale?

We know it is coming eventually, so be sure to get in your feedback now!

~Savanja
Aion Site Lead

Are you having a bit of trouble selling stacks of materials on the broker?  Large stacks may scare away potential buyers so it may be more profitable to split up your stacks before placing them on the broker.  Split a stack by holding down the shift key as you drag and drop an item in your inventory.  This will bring up a dialog window that will allow you to choose how many in the stack you would like to move.

Keeping stacks in more manageable amounts should help move your goods a little bit faster and get them to struggling crafters who really need them.

• Aion Cooking Guide 1-99 - Ready to take on a craft? Learning all about the first tier of cooking in this step by step guide.

• Ranger Stigma List - Attention Rangers!  Find out what stigmas you can get and when in this helpful chart.

• Spiritmaster Pet Guide - Get the details on the Spiritmaster pets that are essential to SM gameplay.

• Asmodean Extract Vitality Guide 200-299 - Level those skills fast and easier with these great tips and advice.

• Spiritmaster Spell Rotation Guide - Stop mashing buttons and learn the most effective way to utilize your skills!

• Aion Alchemy Guide 1-99 - Is Cooking not for you?  That's okay, we have the first tier of Alchemy too.

• Pick up Group Boot Camp - A few important tips that will help you survive PUGs.

• Aion Updated Patch Notes Introduces Many Fixes - More updates added to the upcoming patch.  Check them out before it goes live.
• NCsoft's Q3 Financial Report is In.  How Did Aion Do? - Get the hard numbers on how well Aion sold during launch.
• Aion Announces Holiday Ascension Pack in Stores this Winter - Find out where you can buy this pack and what will be included.
• Interview with Andrew "Tamat" Beegle Addresses the Grind - Find out what the Aion CM had to say in this one on one chat.
• Lani Blazier Discusses the Upcoming Patch - Lani shares some details on the new fortress medal distribution system for players.
• Create Tamat's Forum Avatar to Win Prizes - Flex your artistic abilities and get a shot at winning fun prizes.
• Server Number Crunch Shows Interesting Results - Read some interesting theorizing over the live server stats.
• Submit Your Photos of Aion in Real Life - Take to the streets and local landmarks to show off where you play Aion from.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for our newsletter please feel free to drop me an e-mail any time!