On September 25, 2009, the MMORPG Aion was released in the West. Since then, it has received many updates and innovations. However, some players wish for the “old Aion” to return. And their wish has been heard, as Aion will now also receive Classic servers like WoW.
What is Aion Classic? The Classic servers are supposed to present content from the game as it was at launch patch. According to NCSoft, this is patch 1.0, but the release in the West took place with patch 1.5 in 2009. You can expect:
- PvE content up to level 50
- Rift and Fortress battles in PvP
- 4 basic classes, each branching into further specializations as you level up
However, there will also be adjustments compared to 2019. The client will use version 2.7 to offer some conveniences and balance adjustments. Additionally, the required experience points have been reduced for faster and more relaxed leveling.
The biggest change compared to “Retail Aion” is the fact that you will need a subscription to access the best gear and leveling experience. The free-to-play version comes with significant restrictions.
When will Aion Classic be released? The release of the American servers is planned for June 23, 2021. You can log into the client and create your first character starting from June 16.
Whether Aion Classic will also come to Europe is currently uncertain. We at MeinMMO have contacted the publisher Gameforge and will update the article as soon as we receive any information. However, it is possible to play the American version from Germany, although likely with a worse ping.
The YouTuber Sywo has already checked out Aion Classic in Korea and summarized his opinion:
Aion Classic relies on a mix of subscription and free-to-play, promises no pay-to-win
What does the monetization model look like? Aion Classic uses the so-called Siel’s Aura. This is an account status that is roughly comparable to ESO+:
- Siel’s Aura gives you access to 100% of experience points, content like gathering materials, and the ability to trade directly with other players.
- 30 days of Siel’s Aura cost $15, 90 days cost $42.
Players using Aion as free-to-play will only receive 50% of experience points and will face certain restrictions. For example, you will never be able to obtain the best gear through drops. However, all players automatically receive one hour of Siel’s Aura per day, allowing you to experience the game like a premium player during that time.
You can view the exact restrictions in this overview:
What about the shop? Aion Classic will have a shop, but it will focus solely on cosmetic content. There will be no pay-to-win options or advantages in the form of boosts.
WoW is celebrating great success with Classic; Aion is also successful in Korea
Is a Classic server worth it? In 2019, WoW released its Classic server and celebrated great success. It is said that WoW experienced the largest growth in new subscriptions ever with the Classic release. WoW Classic is now well established, with the first expansion, Burning Crusade, released in June.
However, Aion has already found success with Classic servers. These went online on November 11 in Korea, and the MMORPG reached 7th place in the Korean gaming charts. Aion surpassed titles like WoW, Valorant, or Lineage 1. Before the Classic release, it wasn’t even found in the top 30, and now it is still in 8th place (as of June 10 via Gamemeca).
How successful the Classic version of Aion will be in the West will be shown in the coming weeks, as the release is just around the corner.
Are you excited about the announcement of Aion Classic? And will you try out the MMORPG?
2021 is generally a strong year for MMORPG fans. We have summarized all the information here: 13 reasons why MMORPG fans can look forward to 2021.
