April 29 was a bittersweet day for Western Aion players who inched closer to a live Update 1.9 with the launch of two public test servers, but was also reminded of their catch-up game with Koreans who gained access to the more advanced Update 2.0 on the same day.

Last April 22, Aion developer NCSoft announced that US and EU subscribers–commonly lumped together as the Western community–would gain access to two PTS erected specifically for testing Update 1.9 and, presumably, future content patches. Update 1.9 became live in Korea a month ago, but Western players have not seen it due to lengthy “translation processes” needed for US and EU markets.

Western players saw the two PTS as a way to placate their unrest over what the translation hold-up, but an announcement that Update 2.0 is now live in Korean PTS renewed calls for NCSoft to better synchronize their content patches across the globe.

Initial testing for both Western PTS saw the usual disconnection problems, but feedback was positive once players got into the game world due to the easier leveling, increased drop rates, and availability of GMs for bug and error reporting. The Western PTS can be downloaded via two methods but manual copying is far easier provided you follow the instructions well to avoid a disastrous client deletion.

But if you’re more interested in knowing all the features coming with Update 2.0, then better wait a little much longer; NCSoft said the patch notes will be uploaded at the official website early this week in English, French and German.

It’s 38 pages long before translation so you might want to save a box of popcorn for when it finally hits the official website–and melts your buttered mouth with a hot new pet system, new zones, and the Path of Wind movement system.

Pic from MMOSite.com along with other Update 2.0 screenies.