It has been a while since we heard anything from the exciting MMORPG A:IR – Ascent: Infinite Realm. And there is a reason for that, as the game is getting a new name.
What is A:IR? The MMORPG aims to stand out particularly with air battles featuring airships and large air-ground combat compared to regular genre representatives. While you also explore a vast world and delve into dungeons where you fight monsters, the highlight is the battles. In these, airships advance to a base that must then be captured on foot.
A:IR becomes Elion
When was the MMORPG supposed to be released? Actually, the beta was supposed to start here in 2018, but even in 2019 it did not launch. There were constant delays. Eventually, it went quiet around the MMORPG.
What has happened now? As the South Korean website MTN reports, A:IR is getting a new name. The game is now set to be released under the title Elion.
The reason for this is the negative feedback from the betas in the Asian region. According to this feedback, interest in the game was quite low.
One of the reasons is said to be the controls. In A:IR, the battles are front and center, resembling a bit of Battle Royale. However, the targeting system made it difficult to aim well. This, in turn, led to this aspect of the game not functioning as well as intended. There were also performance issues, which the developers managed to handle.
That is why the MMORPG was close to being canceled: As MTN reports, publisher Kakao Games even considered halting the MMORPG’s development due to the testers’ feedback.
However, around 40 million dollars in development costs have been invested in the game, which is why further internal tests were conducted to improve gameplay. These tests led to Kakao Games deciding to release the game after all, but now using the name Elion.
Release is planned for 2020
Has the game changed? It is currently unknown whether there have been significant adjustments and changes to the game itself. The developers apparently still believe in the approach with air battles; only the execution fell short. We will have to wait and see what specific changes have been made to the game when Elion is officially presented.
When is the MMORPG now coming? Testing is expected to begin soon in Asia. A precise date has not yet been announced, but there are talks that testing will start in a few weeks.
The release is planned for the fourth quarter of 2020. An English version is also in the works, which should launch shortly after the South Korean release.
- Besides A:IR, or Elion, we are also looking forward to these 16 interesting MMORPGs this year.
- Additionally, you should keep an eye on these 25 games this year.
