Even without its North American release, Aion: Tower of Eternity has been yielding dividends for massively multiplayer online role-playing game company NCsoft. Following its late-2008 launch in Asia, the game has pushed the South Korean publishing house to respective 315 percent and 451 percent profit windfalls over the past two quarters. Now, it appears as if Aion's sales popularity will extend across the Pacific Ocean, as well.

　　Perhaps the most influential preorder incentive: not being bludgeoned by a flying man wielding a club. NCsoft said today that Aion preorders have nearly reached the 400,000-unit marker in advance of the game's September 22 launch for the PC in North America. According to the publisher, the milestone gives Aion the right to claim the title of "biggest MMO release of the year."

　　Unlike 2008, which saw the launch of big-name MMOGs such as Age of Conan and Warhammer Online, 2009 has been relatively light for the massively multiplayer online market. Beyond Aion, Cryptic Studios' Champions Online is arguably the highest-profile MMOG out this year, with other titles in the genre including Icarus Games' Fallen Earth and Vogster's shooter CrimeCraft.

　　In an effort to encourage preorders, NCsoft is offering advance purchasers a number of incentives. Those who pick up Aion before launch will be able to preselect which server they play on. Prepurchasers will also be able to begin playing the game on September 20, two days before its official launch and retail availability. Preorders are available through NCsoft's online store as well as from traditional brick-and-mortar outlets such as GameStop and Best Buy.

　　For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Aion.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Aion: Tower of Eternity Asmodian Official Movie

　　How Baldur's Gate 3 Stole A Zelda Expert's Heart

　　Tears Of The Kingdom Is A Technological MarvelResident Evil 4 Is A Perfect RemakeHow Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror GamesGameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerHow Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter