| Developer(s) | Aion Team Development Dept |
| Publisher(s) | NCsoft |
| Distributor(s) | PlayNC under NCsoft and Shanda (China) |
| Engine | CryEngine |
| Version | NA/EU: 1.5.0.8 Korea: 1.5 Japan: 1.2 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) |  November 25, 2008 April 16, 2009 July 7, 2009 July 17 2009 / / September 22, 2009 / September 23, 2009 / September 25, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | GRB: 15+ ESRB: T PEGI: 12+ |
| Media | Download/DVD |
| System requirements | System Requirements Minimum: Pentium 4 2.8GHz, AMD Athlon 2800+; 1 GB RAM; GeForce 6600, Radeon X1550; Hard Drive 15GB; DirectX 9.0c(2008,6) Recommended: Pentium Dual Core, AMD Athlon 64 X2; 2 GB RAM; GeForce 7600, Radeon HD 2600; Hard Drive 15GB; DirectX 9.0c(2008,6) |
Development
Aion was first announced and previewed at the May 2006 E3 Expo. NCsoft developed it over the following year at their software design studio in South Korea. Closed beta testing in Korea began in late 2007,followed by an open beta test in November 2008.A version of the game localized for China began its closed beta testing in December 2008 with open testing beginning on April 8, 2009, and ending on April 18, 2009.
The game has also been localized for Western markets including North America, Europe, and Australia. NCSoft held two closed beta testing event weekends in June, 2009, which were open to players in North America and Europe. Each had a limited focus. The first, held June 5-7th, 2009, focused on the Elyos from level 1 through 20. The second initially had a focus of level 1 to 10 for the Asmodians, but at the last minute it was decided to allow it to be open to level 10 for both factions. There were four more closed betas spanned over weekends, allowing both races to level 30. The six closed beta weekends were all played on the 1.0 game version. An open beta was scheduled for September 6–13, 2009, allowing players to play the 1.5.0.3 version of the game initially, the game was updated on September 12, 2009 to version 1.5.0.5 while the beta was extended until September 14 at 2A.M. CDT.
Story
In the beginning there was a god named Aion who ruled over a world called Atreia. Aion created the Draken, a powerful race sent to protect the humans of Atreia. After some time passed the Draken disobeyed Aion's wishes and rebelled against their creator. The god Aion then created the twelve Empyrean Lords. The Empyrean Lords in turn created a barrier which prevented the Draken (now calling themselves Balaur) from attacking the humans charged under their protection. Within this barrier all things were safe. The Balaur ravaged and destroyed many of the living things residing outside of the barrier.
Some humans, living within the safety of the barrier, learned how to harness some of the same energy as the Empyrean Lords, known as aether. Such humans were called Daeva and, like the Empyrean Lords, had wings. With time, enough Daevas were born to form an army. Ten of the Empyrean Lords led these Daevas into battle against the Balaur, while the remaining two were the guardians of the Tower of Eternity, the embodiment of the god Aion. The war with the Balaur lasted for hundreds of years until one of the guardians of the tower announced that they should find a way to make peace with the Balaur. Five of the Empyrean Lords vehemently disagreed. However, the second guardian of the tower was swayed to peace. The Balaur were invited into the tower for peace talks. It is unclear what happened at that point. One of the Balaur lords lay wounded on the floor and the rest proceeded to attack the tower. The two Guardians attempted to raise the shield by going to opposite ends of the tower. However, they were unsuccessful and the tower, along with the world, shattered in two. As their final act, the two guardians sacrificed their lives in order to protect a part of Atreia. With Atreia severed, the survivors banded together to face their new world. Of the original twelve, ten of the Empyrean Lords survived. Five who had opposed peace and claimed that the weakness of the rest of the lords had allowed the Balaur to attack them reigned over the dark part of the world, becoming known as the Shedim Lords. The other five reigned over the light-covered bottom part of Atreia and claim that it was the Shedim Lords' actions that caused the breaking of the tower. They are known as the Seraphim Lords.
The new shape of the world also reshaped its inhabitants. Those that lived in the light part of the world saw little change except for an increase in their beauty. These followers of the Seraphim Lords called themselves Elyos and created the city of Sanctum. The inhabitants of the upper part of the world saw many changes. Having to walk on ground strewn with fragments of the tower, their feet became talons. Having to fight against beasts, their hands became claw-like. Furthermore, the darkness made their complexion change and their eyes grew red adapting to the absence of light. They call themselves Asmodians and live in the city of Pandaemonium under the rule of the Shedim Lords.
Classes
There are four primary classes, and eight specialized classes in the game. Players start the game by choosing one of the four primary classes: Warrior, Mage, Scout, or Priest. After attaining level 10, the players must choose from the two specialized classes associated with that base class. This allows players to get a feel for the playstyle of the class before making a major decision as to which class to play for the rest of the game. Each faction will have a slight variation in class skills.
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