NCsoft has teamed up with the German publisher Gameforge to bring the new Aion model across the whole Europe. From February 2012 Aion will be free-to-play on EU servers. The main reason for this switch are deserted lands in Atreia. Aion free to play model will not affect the NA servers.
 

In the last few months the lands in Atreia have become more and more deserted. We want to reinvigorate the world of Aion and attract new adventurers to the towns to take to the skies as Daevas.

Aion Free to Play model overview

With the new free to play Aion model there will be three account types: Starter, Veteran, Gold User.

• Starter
  You will receive the Starter rank when you start playing Aion after the switch to the free-to-play model. As a Starter you will have access to all regions. You will be able to select your hero from the entire range of four classes, level them up to level 55 as well as experience all 3,900 quests – and all absolutely free! Some game options will be limited however: amongst other things, you will only be able to create two characters, you won’t be able to use certain chat channels and you will be unable to carry out any private trading. All possibilities can however be unlocked with the purchase of a Gold Pack. Alternatively you can earn yourself the Veteran rank by fulfilling certain requirements. More details on how it will work will be made available in time before the switch.
• Veteran
  If you have already played Aion and have paid the monthly subscription before the switch to the free-to-play model then you will be rewarded and will receive the Veteran rank. As a true and loyal player, you will enjoy some advantages over the Starter rank players: you will be able to open your own store, carry out business with the Trade Brokers or send letters with attachments.
  So that we can name you a Veteran, we will need you to allow us to move your account to the new Gameforge server by marking it. All of your items, no matter whether they are in your inventory, in the shop or equipped – as well as your character and progress will be safely transferred.
• Gold User
  A Gold Pack offers you the complete game experience and gives you many advantages such as shorter cooldown times for instances or more AP points for your victories in PvP. All game options are unlocked – for example, you will be able to use the complete chat as well as all trading functions and gather an unlimited daily amount of aether and essences. When purchasing the pack, you will be able to select how long you want its advantages to last. Once it expires you will revert to the status you had before the Gold Pack was activated.

 
For more details how the switch will work and how it affects existing players visit aionfreetoplay.com.