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

There are two different types of players in MMOGs, and who you are defines your entire gameplay experience.  As Medeor touched upon this week, some players saunter and some players speed level.

Aion provides a couple of game mechanics to help break up the leveling process and put some carrots along the journey to end game. These decisions along with the ability to level while crafting provide some divergence off the norm. The trail blazers are well out in front leaving the rest of us to decide how best to enjoy the game.

Admittedly, I've been both.  It just depends on my goals for the moment and what I want to accomplish.  There were times, in other games, where I was aiming to experience end game content so my desire to get there prompted long evening and weekend gaming sessions that required large amounts of Diet Coke and Doritos and smaller amounts of sleep.  I found that fun!  There is something great about accomplishing so much in such a small amount of time and while it made for a furious burn out when I was sitting at cap with nothing to do, getting there was a blast and I never regretted it.

I'm a little bit older now, I require a full nights sleep and the Doritos have been left behind for the sake of my expanding backside.  Those points aside, I've learned to enjoy the ride to level cap a bit more.  In Aion, I'm taking my time to explore, checking out the sights, and chit chatting with the community.  I can log in a few nights a week and enjoy my time just being in game rather than feeling like I need to cram 3 levels into one evening of gameplay.

While my gaming style has changed, my main focus never has.  I game to have fun and I expect whatever game I choose to play to make that possible.  I'm seeing that Aion is a little bit more grindy than other games I have played, but then the leveling curve is a bit more steep too.  Is this NCsoft's way of getting gamers to slow down to smell the roses?  Maybe, but I think the bigger question is, should the game dictate how you play or should the game be providing you with what you want to play how you want?

Come share your thoughts with our community.  Are you blazing through those levels in a mad fury or are you finding yourself enjoying the journey just a little bit more this time around?

-Savanja, Aion Site Lead

For those who started playing Aion at launch, the first free month is just about over!  Don't forget that your first monthly subscription charge will be coming soon if you've chosen to not cancel.

Ten Ton Hammer Features:

• Ranger Skills Levels 26-50 - Find out what high end has in store for the Ranger lineup of skills.
• Asmodian Vitality Extraction 1-99 - Don't struggle with gathering!  Get the secrets to getting it done.
• Aion Fair Play: Be Cheat Free and the Best - Find out what rules you need to follow and how to not lose your edge.
• Speed Leveling or Sauntering - Which type of gamer are you?
• Guesses at Aion's First Expansion - Join the debate on how the game's first bump out will go.
• Asmodian Aether Gathering 100-199 - This guide makes gaining aether less painful!
• Elyos Gathering Guide 1-99 - Find the nodes you need, quick and easy.

News From Around the Community:

• NCsoft Brings in a New Aion CM - Meet our new and fearless leader.
• Aion Tops PC Sales Charts - Its first month started out with a bang, who did the game beat out?
• Aion's First Live Event is Coming! - Find out what it is and when you can get in on it.
• Patch Updates Spam Filter - Another line of defense in the gold spam war.

Tip of the Week - If you're looking to get into crafting but don't want to spend a ton of kinah on getting started, utilize work orders!  Work order quests will give you most of the supplies you need to craft and will reward you with needed items and recipes making them perfect for the newbie crafter.

They Must be Roleplayers...

I've seen some names that made me laugh and some that have made me cry, these made me do both. 

A big hats off to the members of ShouldofBeenApornStar and their three illustrious members: Kimkardashian, Jessicaalba, and Katebeckinsale.  You made me groan and giggle at the same time, a feat only my last boyfriend could previously accomplish.  /salute