The only way I've seen of getting into the open beta is either by having a fileplanet subscription or by pre-ordering the game.

You've been Ropered by the "oops, we ran out of subscriptions due to HUGE demand!", followed by "oh look, if you hurry, we'll still let you in."

But for someone to just throw money out like that for a game they have never played is pretty ridiculous.

Even offering a lifetime subscription is evidence you don't have confidence in your product. It means you want money up front, before the user even gets to try the product, because once the word gets out that noone wants to play your shitty game, those who bought a lifetime sub are fucked. Otherwise, they'd offer a lifetime sub forever, not just at the launch of the game.

I get the sandbox thing, but we're up to like what, almost a dozen major scandals (two or three of which involved the developers) in the last few years for the game. I wouldn't give this game my money if it came with a triple-cunted hooker at this point.

"As it stands right now you can make a new character in City of X, skip past the tutorial and make your way to the nearest Aeon Entertainment Building and farm your way to max level with little or no effort on the players part. You could also reach Max level in as little as 1 or 2 days with never experiencing any of the content."

CCP never have or never will do anything for the greater good beyond the value of the dollar.

But hey, I guess since Bill Roper has his name on the project lets go ahead and make assumptions considering Bill did exactly what he did when he was at Blizzard North.

Aion is just another L2 clone.