The free Assault on Balaurea expansion for Aion is expected on September 7, announces NCsoft, which is when updated retail boxes ("featuring exclusive in-game pets") for the MMORPG will be released in North America, while the new version is due at European retailers on September 10. Here's a bit on the expansion, and its pets with benefits: "In Aion: Assault on Balaurea, the exciting new chapter of Aion, characters have the ability to align together to launch massive counter assaults against the invading Balaur on their homeland while experiencing new and updated instances and zones, an increased level cap, new weapons and items, new skills and added flight mechanics. Characters will not be alone as they explore the new areas, as Aion introduces functional pets equipped with in-game benefits."