The beta schedule and possible release date of Aion Online are hot topics right now in the gaming community. Both the limited collector's edition and the standard edition are currently available for preorder, and both Amazon and Gamestop list the release date as Sept. 1. If you're interested in playing Aion, preordering the game seems like a good option. You'll get access to all remaining beta events, some special in-game items and a 48-hour head start when the game goes live.
As for the remaining beta events, Massively has pointed out (via Keen and Graev) that the July issue of Beckett Massive Online Gamer contains a list of the beta schedule throughout the summer. Here it is, although the dates could always be subject to change:
* June 19-21: Asmodian closed beta capped at level 10
* July 3-5: Asmodian level cap increases
* July 17-19: Abyss only with unrestricted flight and hopefully a lot of PvP
* August 14-17: First open beta
* August 19-23: Second open beta
Aion Preorder Bonuses
• Aion Beta Events: Preorder and receive a code to access all of the remaining Aion beta events.
• Preorder Aion Game Sweepstakes: Play in an Aion beta event, and you’ll have a chance to win a killer Alienware notebook, ATI video cards, or other great prizes (see Preorder Aion Game Sweepstakes below).
• Preorder-Only In-Game Items: In-game items will be available for use during the head start program.
• Black Cloud Hat (gives boosts to HP, MP, magical resistance, and evasion)
• Lodas' Amulet (gives a +20% experience boost for 1 hour)
• One Ancient Ring of Power (type depends on your preorder retailer): Ancient Ring of Fire (GameStop), Ancient Ring of Magic (Best Buy), Ancient Ring of Earth (Amazon.com), Ancient Ring of Water, or Ancient Ring of Wind.
• Head Start Program: Get a 48-hour head start to the live game before the game releases.
• Preselection: Select your character names and server in advance of the game going live.
Preorder Aion Game Sweepstakes
* Preorder Aion at one of our official trade partners or through the NCsoft store. You will receive a unique game code that will allow you access into select beta preview events.
* Log in to
http://us.ncsoft.com. (Create a new account if you have not done so before.) You will then be prompted to enter the unique game code (serial code) so you can play the Preorder Aion Game sweepstakes. You will receive an email giving your instructions as to how to install the beta client and start your Aion game account.
* Play in an Aion beta event. To enter the sweepstakes, you must play a character to at least level 3. Beta event dates are listed above.
* End Date: Sweepstakes ends on 9/1/09.
* Sponsor: NC Interactive, Inc., 1501 4th Ave. Floor 20, Seattle, WA 98101
* Official Rules: Preorder Aion Game Sweepstakes Official Rules
* Prize Winner Names: Names of the prize winners, available 30 days after the end of the promotion, will be posted here for 90 days after the prizes are awarded.
* No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, military installations and commonwealths, and Québec), 18 or older (except residents of AL and NE, who must be 19 or older).