AION MMORPG

AION 2 launches into Advanced Access today, which means thousands of players will naturally celebrate by doing the most MMO thing imaginable: watching somebody else play it.

There is at least a reward for doing so.

AION 2's Global Twitch Drops system is now part of the launch period, with players already sharing images of the free outfit connected to the campaign. The cosmetic has quickly become one of the more talked-about launch freebies, particularly because it gives Global players another appearance option without buying one of the more expensive Founder's Packs.

It also finally puts NC's official AION 2 Twitch Drops page to practical use after the infrastructure appeared before launch.

Yes, You Need to Link Your Account First

The important part is not simply opening Twitch and leaving an AION 2 stream running somewhere behind seventeen browser tabs.

Your Twitch account needs to be connected to the account you actually use for AION 2. Steam players should pay particular attention here because NC specifically tells them to select the Steam icon when linking their account.

We already covered the complete setup in our AION 2 Twitch Drops guide, including account linking, claiming rewards and how progress works when moving between participating channels.

Once a campaign is active, Twitch tracks your viewing progress automatically on eligible streams. You do not have to remain with the same creator for the entire requirement, so switching between participating channels does not throw away the time you have already accumulated.

The Free Outfit Is Getting Plenty of Attention

The interesting part today is the cosmetic reward itself.

Players are already showing off the launch outfit, and the initial reaction has been remarkably enthusiastic for something being handed out through a viewing campaign. Naturally, fashion remains one of the few true endgame systems every MMO launches with completely functional.

There is also an amusing regional wrinkle. Players familiar with the Taiwan version have pointed out that the same or equivalent outfit was previously distributed there extremely cheaply or effectively free. Global appears to be using Twitch instead, turning the cosmetic into part of the launch marketing campaign rather than simply placing it directly into everyone's wardrobe.

That fits neatly with NC's broader launch strategy. War for Atreia already makes Twitch activity part of its scoring system, and the competition itself puts 60 creators into six Elyos and Asmodian Legions during the opening weeks of Global service.

NC therefore has a fairly obvious reason to give ordinary players something for watching.

War for Atreia Is Part of the Launch Push

The Twitch campaign is closely tied to a much larger creator push surrounding AION 2.

We first covered War for Atreia when NC announced the two-week faction competition. Since then, the six Captains and full creator teams have been revealed, with North America, Europe and Latin America each fielding an Elyos and an Asmodian Legion.

That event begins alongside AION 2 Advanced Access on September 30 and continues through the October 5 free-to-play launch.

Even players with absolutely no interest in watching streamers argue about faction superiority therefore have a reason to keep an eye on Twitch during the launch period.

Do Not Forget the Other Free Launch Rewards

Twitch Drops are also separate from AION 2's other launch rewards.

Players who completed the pre-registration requirements can receive free companions, which we covered in our guide to AION 2's free pre-registration pets. Founder's Pack bonuses are separate again, as are any future event rewards.

Our AION 2 Before You Play checklist covers the various account jobs worth completing around launch, because there are now enough free pets, Twitch connections, server choices and platform accounts involved that starting an MMO occasionally feels disturbingly similar to completing paperwork.

Still, a free outfit is a free outfit.

And in AION, where wings and fashion have been serious business since 2009, looking good while waiting for the next dungeon group is practically a core mechanic.