Source: gamemeca
Translated by:Jameinkaiser

What is Abyss?

Setting
- The gap was created when Aion was destroyed
- The chunks of debris serve as 'islands'
Function
The main battlefield of the two factions
The focal point of conflict between the Elyos, Asmodae, and the Balaur
Frontline of War

Aion's RVR
Aion's battles will not only consist of simple skirmishes between players, but also random ambushes by monsters which will also take place during large-scale battles. Using this to one's advantage can determine the outcome of the battle.




▲Abyss

The creation of the Abyss
The Abyss was created as a result of the destruction of the Tower of Eternity. The debris and chunks of Elyos and Asmodian landscape is what consists of the 'islands' in the Abyss.

The Abyss is a dangerous place , but offers a lot of experience as well as items, materials, and Abyss-exclusive items that can only be purchased through Abyss points.

Flight is unrestricted in all of Abyss but there is still a time limit. Abyss is the region where the three races will meet and engage in RvR.

Abyss Content

Purchasable Items
Resurrection Stones
Siege Machines
Flight Enhancement Items
Consumables

Production Related Activities
Enhancement of fortress gate
Enhancement of force field
Battle with the produced items
Attack the enemy base with the produced items

Fortress Enhancement/Upgrades
Fortress Gate Repairing Machine
Enforced fortress gate through hunting
Enforced force field through hunting


Scouting
Invasion via direct portal/Espionage
Assassination of NPC
Disrupting enemy players

Battle
The Abyss as a whole is a free-flight zone. Players can decide to attack from either the air or from the ground.



Fortress Sieges in the Abyss

-Multiple fortresses out in the open
-Each fortress has sovereignty over its surrounding region
-A 3-dimensional siege that incorporates flight
-Unpredictable actions of the Balaur
-Force fields that hinder invasions from the air



▲Fortress Concept Art

Devanion Mist

-War/Peace Time Shift System
-A phenomenon that occurs in the form of an explosion when the blood of Elyos and Asmodeans come in contact
-Implemented to prevent excessive PvP & promote 'safe region'




Devanion Mist hinders or completely disables faction PvP in the effected area by limiting the players vision, but makes PvE uneffected.

Artifacts

Setting

Debris that were created when Aion was destroyed
Obtain special abilities that players can exploit

Functions
Works as a 'tide-turner'
Activates various skills that can effect the siege
Region-specific



▲Artifact as shown in the promotion trailer

There will be offensive, recovery, buff, debuff and various other types of artifacts available. These region-specific artifacts will add variety to the strategy of the battle.


▲Reasons why you should participate in PvP

The Abyss offers higher exp. gain as well as materials needed to craft draconic items, and quests exclusive to the region. Abyss items can also be gained by using Abyss points.

There are also title-specific skills, which can only be gained by obtaining an Abyss title. These skills will make the player more powerful than the average player.

The relationship between the guild and the players is very similar to the relationship of consumer vs. producer.

In order for the fortress to maintain itself, players need to 'invest.' The dividend can be seen as a type of 'stock.' Through the dividend and taxes the guild is able to obtain the funds required to maintain the fortress.


What this means for the players? It means that a guild won't be able to impose tyrannical rule over the fortress as seen in Lineage. If a guild occupying fortress A was being obnoxious and kept the hunting/collecting zones for themselves, the guild will lose investors and become bankrupt. The fortress requires players that utilise the facility to maintain itself, and an unreasonable guild will lose investors/visitors and become unable to finance itself.


The guild crests will be engraved on captured artifacts and the fortress, and if the guild's ranking was high enough, the guild's crest will also be seen in the major city.


▲A fortress siege scenario

Abyss also features diverse environments. For example, if a player were to approach too close to a sun-like object, he/she will take damage. If the player were to walk on frozen surface, he/she will have difficulty controlling the character because of its slippery surface. There are many other factors that can effect the players such as waterfalls and lava.


Draconic Carrier
-Raid monster
-Cruises through Abyss and attacks all lifeforms
-Armed with a variety of weapons and transports 'drakans'
-Air Raid
-Able to drop off 'drakans'
-each has its own unique characteristics as well as rewards



If draconic carriers were designed for aerial raids, then these colossus(es) were designed for ground combat. These monsters will be different than any monsters shown in previous MMOs. To say it short, these are the guys/things that existed long before the Elyos/Asmodians, and were awoken along with the destruction of the Tower of Eternity.

The colossus do not belong to the elyos, asmodians, nor the balaur. They are enemies to all three races.

Q> Since there are so many fortresses a system that will facilitate communication between the commander and the players may seem necessary. Will this be supported?

A> This is already available. We?re planning on adding onto this feature with users? feedbacks.

Q> The Abyss depicted in the trailer seems very majestic. Will the actual game play resemble this?

A> It?s true the trailer may seem exaggerated due to its promotional nature. It is impossible in-game to dodge missiles or snipe the enemy as depicted in the trailer. But with certain proficiency with the skills, you will be able to enjoy the game to a similar extent.

Q> When will the Asmodae be available?

A> December.



Q> One guild dominating a fortress may discourage cooperation and may even cause in-faction competition. Have you considered the solution for this?

A> We are expecting this. We believe that this will make each region and server feel distinguished and unique.

Q> Are there other fortresses and artifacts aside from the ones already revealed on the map?

A> The map we?ve revealed only serves as a preview. The actual Abyss will be much more complex.



Q> How will Direct Portals work in the CBT?

A> They will spawn randomly anywhere. Normally they will link regions of similar level range, but occasionally they will link regions of high level as well as low level areas together.

Whenever a Direct Portal opens up, there will be a big (indication) in the sky. The players will thus be able to tell what kind of portal has opened up without having to travel to the location.

Q> Elaborate on Abyss titles.

A> Abyss titles work as a type of ?rank.? Players will be able to rise through ranks by killing the members of the opposing faction, but killing targets that are far lower in level will yield almost no experience and points.

Rising through the ranks this way will grant the player powerful skills, and the player may become powerful enough to equal a raid monster.



Q> There are complaints that there are hardly any differences between the Elyos and Asmodians.

A> There aren?t huge differences as the both descend from the same race. But, as players progress through the game and become higher levels, the differences will unveil themselves as players gain skills and abilities unique to that faction.

Q> What happens when one faction takes over all the fortresses?

A> Probably Balaur raid-monsters will spawn in large numbers in all the fortresses. Initially when the Abyss opens, all the fortresses will be owned by the Balaur by default.