NCsoft Unveils New Digital Aion Magazine

First issue is scheduled to launch on March 26

NCsoft just announced that the first issue of the new digital-only Aion Magazine is scheduled to launch on March 26. This new monthly publication requires a paid subscription, but the price varies based on your commitment. A one-issue subscription costs $3.99, a six-issue subscription costs $21.54, and a 12-issue subscription costs $38.28.

To sweeten the deal, each issue will come with an exclusive in-game item. For example, the 100-page first issue will come with a Kerub Hat. Also, players who pre-order their subscription will receive five true black or true white dyes, as well as a variety of other items if you opt for the 6- or 12-issue packs.

You can read the official FAQ for the magazine after the jump. Do you plan on subscribing to the publication?

What is a digital magazine? What do I get when I subscribe?

A digital magazine is like a normal, printed magazine except it is only available in electronic format. You access the Official Aion Magazine via a subscription account on this website and read the magazine via your browser.

The magazine is written by professionals and designed by professionals using the same software as print magazines, so the end result is not like a website at all, but an exact replica of a print page, except on screen. The additional benefit is that digital magazine can include videos and other interactive elements on the pages.

When you subscribe to the Official Aion Magazine, you will get access to the issues you subscribe to, as they are published, which will be every 4 weeks. So, if you subscribe from issue 2, for 12 issues, you will get access to issues 2-13, as they are published. You will be able to go back and read any of the issues you have purchased at any time, while the magazine continues to be published.

As a bonus, each issue of the Official Aion Magazine will come with a unique in-game item. Each subscriber will have a unique code that you will be able to copy from the page. It will be one-use only, so you must keep your account details and item code secret. These items are created exclusively for the Aion Magazine subscribers by NCsoft, so you won't be able to get them anywhere else.

What is needed to read the magazine?

A paid for subscription and a web browser running Adobe Flash version 9 or above. Unlike some poor quality digital magazines, our system is a bespoke technology that is designed for games machines, so rather than look worse on bigger screen, the magazine looks better. We'd recommend a 19-inch monitor or above (21-inch LCD is excellent). The magazine will work on smaller monitors, but it's better on a decent sized one.

Can I buy a single issue?

The Official Aion Magazine is a subscription only magazine. When you subscribe, you subscribe from the next issue to be published. Once subscribed, you can then buy any current issue or back issue that you might like. In this, it is exactly the same as a print magazine.

We have worked hard to ensure that the cost of the Official Aion Magazine is as low as possible. It was one of the reasons for deciding on a digital-only magazine, rather than print, and the price is considerably less than any comparable publication, escpecially as there is no advertising revenue within the Official Aion Magazine.

The only way to achieve this low price is by only offering subscriptions - this reduces the merchant charges that are levied per transaction. Every time a subscription is bought, we have to pay a fee and a percentage to the payment solution. When factoring in VAT, which the UK government charges on digital magazines, even though it doesn't on print magazines, selling single issues would not be profitable.

Can I share my subscription with my friends?

No, this would be a breach of copyright and the terms and conditions of the magazine. As we said, we have worked hard to make the magazine as cheap as possible, and sharing the content with friends, rather than ensuring everyone has a legitimate subscription, would result in the magazine being unprofitable and ceasing publication.

In addition, the in-game item codes are single use only, so if anyone except yourself has access to your subscription, there will be nothing stopping them logging in to your account ahead of you in future issues and using your item code.

It should also be noted that we employ several methods to detect unusual activity on accounts, and any users that are suspected of sharing accounts will have their subscription automatically suspended. If we conclude that the account has been used in violation of the terms and conditions, it will be terminated without right to refund.

We have been as fair as possible in creating the Official Aion Magazine. We simply ask that you return the favour.

Can I buy a subscription, take the item codes and then get a refund?

No, obviously not. When you take a subscription, you pay up front for the period, whether that is a single issue, 6 issues or 12 issues. Depending on which you choose, you will get instant access to the bonus code items. When you log in and retrieve these codes, you are deemed to have activated your subscription, and refunds are not available on active subscriptions. You can cancel your subscription renewal at any time via PayPal and no further charges will be taken. Your account will remain active and you will have access to any existing magazines you have paid for and any additional issues in your subscription period as they are published.

Who publishes The Official Aion Magazine?

The Official Aion Magazine is published by Cranberry Publishing Interactive Ltd, which is run by the same team who create GamerZines, the world leading digital games magazine publisher. It is published in collaboration with NCsoft West.

Does this mean GamerZines are going to stop being free?

Not at all. GamerZines are published by Cranberry Publishing Ltd, and are free to read and share. They are supported by advertising revenue, and will continue to be free. Cranberry Publishing Interactive Ltd is a sister company that aims to produce digital magazines for gamers where an advertising supported model is not viable.

I have a problem. What do I do?

Read our help page here, and if it doens't solve your problem contact the relevant department from the Contact page.

Tags: Aion, News

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