I thought its always been open this whole time, I've played it, it looks alright. But to be honest, nothing I'm too crazy over. I might give it a try come release.

I hear that there is a problem with the gameguard?

People have to uninstall their virus protections to even play. I'm not too sure about this game, I hear alot more bad than good on it. Not to mention, I don't like NCsofts combat systems for any of their games so. And from my experience with my beta attempts, the combat system seems a little bit like Guild Wars.

I do however find some interest in the Abyss. Sounds a bit like DAoCs Old and New Frontiers. You can't really go wrong with a zone like this PvP wise.

Oh Aion? /puke.

I noted this in a different section in more detail, but basically, Aion is the most repetitive game I've played (excluding guild wars since it's probably going to always be #1 to me XD). I didn't get to experience the abyss on the closed beta though it did sound fun; however, the early pvp (small arena + duels) didn't satisfy me very much. I am definitely picky with my pvp though .

PvE is literally a direct line down one side of the map, then to the right across the bottom, and finally down the right side. Any path other than this will be too much for someone to handle even with keybinds and all that. (crazy linear) Though it is still early for the game, imho I'd rather not bore myself getting to max level in hopes that it'd be funner than small skirmish pvp. (did that with warhammer and literally facepalmed when I helped "attack a city"-- You've entered a queue for an instance scenario that is nothing like we advertised. Those hundreds of players you wanted to siege the city with are all separated into small groups. Your mass team efforts to get here must be split up to take over the objective. (yeah I understand that the defenders need a chance, but if it's at a ratio of 4-1 or something.... unless Alexander the Great revived himself and organized the defending team... I wouldn't imagine them having much of a chance in the larger picture than 10v10 or something.

Sorry, kinda started to rant there haha. Figured I'd share. 

Yeah, I played Aion during open beta, had a 12 month subscription ready and pre-ordered the game. I played open beta for a week and was just compltely sick of the repetitive grinding and easy questing. It's a shame that WoW has paved the way for monotonous 'following the dot on my map' kind of questing and leveling. It's pure zombie style. Wish more games would stop trying to please every single person by making it the most generic, simple care bear experience ever. Man, I miss the original Everquest.

I read somewhere...

Come for the TnA, stay for the grind.