In a surprise move by NCsoft to get their highly anticipated expansion out the door as early as possible, Daevas can expect to their Assault on Balaurea to begin... September 7th, 2010!

You heard it here first, folks! It seems as though NCsoft has decided to get aggressive with their development teams, so North American Daevas can expect to see Assault on Balaurea, Aion's massive free expansion (also known as Patch 2.0), coming out as early as September 7th, 2010! With Assault on Balaurea comes a plethora of new quests, new instances, new zones, new weapons, new items, new flight mechanics and more as the Elyos and Asmodians launch their fierce counterattack on the Balaur homelands! Patch 2.0 will also introduce a new pet system for players to raise some cute little adventuring partners of their own who will also help their masters in a variety of different ways.

Aion: Assault on Balaura will be digitally released to all PCs in North America and Europe on September 7th, 2010, but if you're looking for the retail boxed copies that come with exclusive in-game pets, North Americans retailers will have the expansion available on September 7th, while European retailers will have it on September 10th. You can check out the full press release below!

NCsoft Reveals Release Date for Aion’s Highly Anticipated Free Expansion – Aion®: Assault on Balaurea™

Aion Players in North America and Europe can begin exploring the world far beyond the traditional territories of Asmodae and Elysea starting September 7

Today, NCsoft, the world's premier publisher and developer of Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs), unveiled the official release date for Aion: Assault on Balaurea, the next exciting chapter in Aion that entrenches players into a rich storyline in which their actions will determine the fate of the world. Aion: Assault on Balaurea releases digitally to PCs in North America and Europe on Sept. 7, 2010, however, players looking for retail boxed copies of the full game featuring exclusive in-game pets will find them at select retailers in North America on Sept. 7 and on Sept. 10 in Europe.

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.

Unlike any MMO before it, Aion is a uniquely crafted online gaming experience where flight offers much more than just a way to gracefully explore the landscape - it is a strategic and integral part of combat, quests, and exploration. Players will use flight to dive into battle and plunge through thousands of unique, story-driven quests, all while trying to save and control a world literally shattered in half from centuries of brutal conflict.

For more information about Aion and Aion: Assault on Balaurea go to http://www.aiononline.com.