September is set to be a big month for new MMOs, with NCsoft set to release its new MMO, Aion. The game has already been a runaway success in its native Korea, and in China. With a fantasy setting, it’s impossible not to draw comparisons with the global phenomenon that is World of Warcraft, but is that being unfair?

Of course, Aion can’t expect to scale the heights of 11 million players and growing that World of Warcraft achieved, but NCsoft has never said it was aiming that high, and nor does it need to in order to consider Aion a success. With a monthly subscription model, it just need to attract enough players to generate the revenue it needs, which in turn will ensure Aion has enough gamers in game for a convincing social and gameplay environment - something that is essential for an MMO. And Aion has enough new ideas to generate the interest it needs.