AION 2 Fixes Steam Advanced Access Problems, but Account Linking Issues Remain

AION 2's Advanced Access launch has been extremely busy, and not every problem involves a queue full of several thousand impatient Daevas.

NC has released a new client fix after some Steam players reported that AION 2 was no longer correctly recognizing their Advanced Access status. The company says the issue should now be resolved, along with separate problems affecting in-game purchases.

There is no additional downtime required. Players simply need to restart the client so the latest update can be applied.

One issue, however, is still being investigated: account linking between Steam and PURPLE.

Advanced Access Should Now Be Recognized Correctly

The most immediate problem affected players who had already paid for a Founder's Pack but found that AION 2 was not properly recognizing their Early Access entitlement when they attempted to log in.

That is a particularly unpleasant bug in a game where the entire point of buying a Founder's Pack is getting access before the October 5 free-to-play launch.

NC says a fix has now been deployed. If your account was affected, the first thing to do is therefore very simple: close AION 2 completely and restart the client. The update should then install automatically.

The same patch is intended to resolve reported problems with in-game purchases.

For anyone still sorting out exactly how the two PC platforms work, our AION 2 Steam vs PURPLE guide explains the important differences. The game itself is the same, but account access and purchases make choosing your platform considerably more important than simply deciding which launcher icon looks nicest on the desktop.

Account Linking Is Still Being Investigated

This is the part players should pay attention to.

NC says it is still investigating account linking issues. The company has not yet provided a complete explanation of what is going wrong or a final fix, so players should avoid assuming that today's Advanced Access patch has solved every Steam and PURPLE problem.

There is also an important detail in NC's official Launch FAQ: you do not need to link a Steam account with a PURPLE account simply to play AION 2 through Steam.

Linking is only necessary if you want to access the same character and progression through both platforms.

That means players who are already happily playing through Steam do not need to start connecting accounts simply because the option exists. With linking issues currently under investigation, unnecessary account experiments are probably something best saved for another day.

Twitch Linking Is a Separate Matter

There is another layer of confusion because AION 2 is also running launch Twitch Drops.

Connecting Twitch for rewards is separate from deciding whether Steam and PURPLE should share your game account. We recently covered the process in our AION 2 Twitch Drops launch guide, where players can collect the current cosmetic rewards by watching eligible streams.

In other words, there are currently several different accounts orbiting AION 2, and clicking every available Link button is not necessarily a required launch activity.

Our AION 2 Before You Play checklist also covers the other launch preparations, including platforms, servers, factions and rewards.

AION 2 Is Handling a Very Large Advanced Access Launch

The technical problems are arriving during an unusually large paid head start. AION 2 has already reached 171,530 concurrent players on Steam during Advanced Access, without counting anyone using PURPLE.

NC has also been rapidly expanding server capacity, while the full AION 2 free-to-play Global launch arrives on October 5. That will remove the Founder's Pack requirement entirely and potentially bring another large wave of players into Atreia.

For now, the practical advice is straightforward.

If AION 2 suddenly stopped recognizing your Advanced Access entitlement, restart the client and let the new patch install. If the problem involves linking Steam and PURPLE accounts, however, NC is still working on it.

Sometimes the most advanced skill in an MMO launch is knowing which button not to press yet.

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AION 2 Steam Is Still Unavailable in 18 Countries Two Days Before Advanced Access

AION 2 Advanced Access begins on September 30, but not every potential Global player can currently access the game through Steam. With only two days remaining, the AION 2 Steam package is still restricted in 18 countries and territories, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Serbia and Slovakia.

The situation is particularly interesting in Belgium and the Netherlands because NC addressed those countries months ago. The company said it was reviewing local regulatory requirements to make sure AION 2 would be compliant ahead of launch.

September 30 is now almost here, and the Steam restrictions remain.

Which Countries Are Restricted on Steam?

Steam package data currently lists the following 18 countries and territories as places where the AION 2 package cannot be activated:

• Aruba
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
• China
• Cuba
• Curaçao
• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Netherlands
• Russia
• Serbia
• Sint Maarten
• Slovakia
• South Korea
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Vietnam

Several names on that list are unsurprising. South Korea and Taiwan already operate their own AION 2 services, for example, so their presence does not mean those players have no version of AION 2 available.

Belgium and the Netherlands are much more relevant to the European Global launch.

NC Previously Addressed Belgium and the Netherlands

Back in April, European players noticed that the AION 2 Steam store page was unavailable in some countries. An official NC community representative responded directly and said the company was reviewing local regulatory requirements in Belgium and the Netherlands to ensure the game was fully compliant ahead of launch.

NC did not say which specific mechanic or regulation was responsible, and we should not fill that gap with guesses.

Both countries have well-known regulatory frameworks around paid randomized game mechanics, but NC's statement only refers generally to local regulatory requirements. Until the company provides a more detailed explanation, that is as far as the factual answer goes.

The Netherlands and Belgium Are Still Restricted on Steam

The interesting part is the timing.

AION 2's Advanced Access preload is beginning today, permanent characters arrive September 30 and the full free-to-play launch follows on October 5.

Yet the Steam package still lists both Belgium and the Netherlands among its restricted territories.

There has been no public NC announcement confirming that those restrictions will disappear before Advanced Access.

That does not mean they cannot change quickly. Steam regional availability can be updated without weeks of warning. But with September 30 this close, Belgian and Dutch players should not assume Steam access is guaranteed until the store itself becomes available.

What About PURPLE?

This is where the distinction becomes important.

The 18-country list comes from Steam package data. It does not automatically prove that every one of those territories is blocked from AION 2 through NC's PURPLE launcher.

NC is launching AION 2 Global through both Steam and PURPLE, and our Steam vs PURPLE guide already explains that the two platforms share the Global game service while handling purchases and account entitlements differently.

Players should therefore check availability through their intended platform rather than interpreting the Steam restriction list as a universal list of countries where AION 2 cannot exist.

We would also strongly avoid VPN workarounds or registering accounts under a false country. Regional restrictions can involve payment, account and legal requirements, and circumventing them is a wonderful way to turn launch excitement into a support ticket.

Not Every Restricted Country Has the Same Explanation

Another trap is assuming all 18 countries are blocked for the same reason.

They almost certainly are not.

South Korea and Taiwan have separate regional services. Belgium and the Netherlands have received an explicit regulatory explanation from NC. Other countries may involve publishing, legal, sanctions, commercial or platform-specific considerations.

Without an official explanation for each territory, assigning a reason would simply be speculation.

The useful information is much simpler: the Steam package currently cannot be activated in those locations.

AION 2 Global Is Very Close, but Regional Questions Remain

Regional availability is one of several small pieces of launch information that remain unsettled surprisingly close to Advanced Access. We have already been waiting for the final permanent server list, while players are simultaneously preparing clients, choosing factions and coordinating September 30 groups through our Before You Play checklist.

For most Global regions, none of this changes the launch plan.

But if you are in Belgium or the Netherlands and intend to play through Steam, this is something worth checking before spending the evening staring at a preload button that never appears.

NC said it was working through the regulatory situation. Two days before Advanced Access, Steam is still waiting for the answer.

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AION 2 Advanced Access Preload Starts Today: Steam Players Need a New Client

AION 2 is officially entering the stage of an MMO launch where checking your hard drive becomes more important than studying another tier list. Advanced Access pre-download begins today, September 28, at 6:00 AM PDT / 13:00 UTC / 15:00 CEST, giving Founder's Pack owners two days to get the retail client installed before permanent progression begins on September 30.

There is one particularly important warning for anyone who participated in the recent Launch Scale Test: Steam players cannot simply keep using the Playtest installation. NC has specifically instructed Steam users to uninstall the AION 2 Playtest app and download the normal AION 2 client separately. PURPLE players do not need to perform the same cleanup.

In other words, that 100 GB sitting on your SSD from the test may look like AION 2, smell like AION 2 and contain an alarming quantity of AION 2, but Steam still considers it a different application.

AION 2 Preload Begins at 15:00 CEST Today

NC's latest launch promotion confirms that the Advanced Access pre-download begins September 28 at 6:00 AM PDT. That converts to 9:00 AM EDT, 13:00 UTC, 14:00 BST and 15:00 CEST.

This is only the pre-download window. It does not mean the servers open today.

Founder's Pack owners enter permanent Advanced Access on September 30, followed by the full free-to-play release on October 5. We have covered the complete timeline in our AION 2 Global release date and Advanced Access guide.

NC still has not published a final exact server-opening hour for September 30. Any specific login time circulating before an official announcement should therefore be treated separately from today's confirmed preload time.

Steam Test Players Need to Uninstall AION 2 Playtest

This is the step most likely to catch people out.

After the Launch Scale Test ended, NC explicitly told Steam players to uninstall the Playtest App and download AION 2 separately for Advanced Access. The temporary test client does not convert into the retail game.

If you still have AION 2 Playtest installed, removing it before starting today's preload is the sensible move. Your test progression was wiped anyway, so there is nothing inside that installation worth preserving.

PURPLE works differently. NC says players who participated through PURPLE have no further steps needed as part of the test-to-launch transition.

If you are still deciding which platform to use permanently, our Steam vs PURPLE comparison covers the differences. The important thing is to settle that question before spending money, because Founder's Pack purchases are tied to the platform where they were purchased.

Make Sure You Have at Least 100 GB Available

AION 2's official PC requirements list 100 GB of available storage, with an SSD recommended. We do not yet have a reliable final download-size figure for today's retail preload, which is not necessarily identical to the amount of storage required after installation.

The safest approach is simply to have comfortably more than 100 GB available before pressing Install.

Our full AION 2 PC requirements guide covers the rest of the hardware. The minimum specification starts surprisingly low with a GTX 1050 Ti and 8 GB of RAM, although NC only targets 1080p Very Low settings with that configuration. Recommended hardware moves to an RTX 2070 and 16 GB RAM.

NVIDIA users should also make sure their drivers are current, particularly if they intend to use the game's DLSS 4.5 features.

Who Can Preload Today?

Today's pre-download is being promoted specifically for Advanced Access, which is included with the AION 2 Founder's Packs.

All three Founder's Pack tiers provide access beginning September 30. Players who are waiting for the free-to-play launch enter on October 5.

NC has not yet clearly announced a separate pre-download schedule for players without a Founder's Pack, so free players should not assume today's window automatically applies to them.

That distinction is worth remembering because AION 2 has several overlapping launch dates at the moment. September 28 is preload day for Advanced Access. September 30 begins Advanced Access. October 5 is the full free-to-play Global launch.

Do Not Confuse Preload With Server Opening

Downloading AION 2 today gets the client onto your PC. It does not create a character, reserve a server or allow you to enter Atreia early.

There are still several launch details worth sorting out while the download runs. Decide whether your group is going Elyos or Asmodian, choose your first class and agree on your regional server plans. Our Before You Play checklist covers the things actually worth preparing before permanent characters go live.

Server choice remains particularly important for mixed groups because Advanced Access servers and October 5 Launch Servers work in two waves. Free-to-play friends may be able to join an earlier server later, but only while character creation remains available there.

Your AION 2 Preload Checklist

• September 28, 15:00 CEST: Advanced Access preload begins
• Steam test players: uninstall AION 2 Playtest first
• Steam: install the normal AION 2 retail client
• PURPLE test players: NC says no additional test-client step is required
• Storage: have at least 100 GB available, preferably with extra headroom
• Drivers: update your GPU driver before launch
• September 30: permanent Advanced Access begins
• October 5: full free-to-play Global launch

Delete the Test Client Before It Gets the Last Laugh

Most of today's preparation is wonderfully boring, which is exactly what launch preparation should be. Download the client. Check the storage space. Update the drivers. Make sure you are installing the right application.

The important part is the Steam distinction. The Launch Scale Test client was temporary, its characters are gone, and it will not transform into the permanent version simply because September 30 arrives.

If you played through Steam, remove AION 2 Playtest and install AION 2 fresh when the preload opens today.

Discovering that now is considerably nicer than discovering it while everyone else is creating characters on Wednesday.

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AION 2 BEFORE YOU PLAY

 

The Essential Pre-Launch Checklist for Global Players

AION 2 Global asks you to make several important choices before the first permanent character is even created.

A practical launch guide covering free rewards, factions, classes, servers, Twitch Drops, tools and PC preparation.

1. Claim the free pre-registration companions	2. Decide Steam or PURPLE before spending money
3. Choose Elyos or Asmodians with your group	4. Pick a class for its playstyle, not a temporary tier list
5. Coordinate server plans before September 30	6. Link Twitch before Drops campaigns begin
7. Bookmark useful planning tools	8. Clear 100 GB and update your GPU driver

AION 2 Launch Prep Starts Before Character Creation

AION 2 is the sort of MMO where it is very easy to spend the first hour doing things you could have sorted out the night before. Choosing a faction, discovering your friends picked the other server, realizing the client needs 100 GB, or learning that your free launch rewards required an account step are all avoidable problems. The good news is that the global release gives us enough information to prepare properly without turning launch night into a spreadsheet exercise.

This guide focuses on the decisions and setup that are actually worth doing before you enter Atreia. Some are one-time account jobs, some affect who you can play with, and a few simply save you from standing in a launcher at the exact moment everybody else is already creating characters.

1. Claim the Free Pre-Registration Companions

The easiest preparation step is also the one most likely to be forgotten because it costs nothing. Global newsletter subscribers are eligible for two companion rewards: Pagati as the guaranteed companion, plus a choice of one additional pet from Konutin Worker, Papis, Black Smoke Murute or Silver Blade Rotan. These are launch rewards, so there is very little reason to leave them sitting on the table if you already know you are going to play.

The pre-launch reward selection includes several companion options alongside the guaranteed Pagati reward.

The exact long-term value of each companion is less important than getting the entitlement attached to the account. Pick the second pet because you like its look or because its eventual utility suits you, but do the account step before the launch rush. Wishlisting the game on Steam is useful for release notifications, but it is not the same thing as registering for the newsletter rewards.

Silver Blade Rotan is one of the selectable pre-registration companions shown before launch.

2. Decide Between Steam and PURPLE Before You Buy Anything

AION 2 launches on both Steam and PURPLE, and the actual game servers are shared across the global service. The important difference is purchases. Founder’s Pack entitlements are tied to the platform where you buy them, so read our Steam vs PURPLE guide before spending money rather than after it.

For most players the sensible choice is the launcher they already intend to keep using. Steam offers the familiar library, overlay and ecosystem. PURPLE keeps you inside NC's own platform and has had a few different purchase and upgrade options around the Founder’s Packs. What you should not do is buy a pack on one platform because the checkout was convenient and then assume the entitlement will casually follow you to the other one.

If you are not buying Advanced Access at all, the decision is much less stressful. The full free-to-play release is October 5, while our launch-time tracker follows the current Steam timestamp and any later official timing confirmation.

3. Choose Elyos or Asmodians With the People You Want to Play With

Faction choice is not a cosmetic decision you should make in isolation if you are arriving with friends or a Legion. Elyos and Asmodians are the two opposing sides of AION 2, and both have access to the same eight global launch classes. The difference is faction identity, territory, visual tone and the people you will be fighting when the game points you toward faction PvP.

Both factions can play the same launch classes. The real decision is identity, social group and which side of the faction war you want to inhabit.

If you are coming in as a group, settle this before character creation. The worst possible version of launch night is discovering that four people picked Elyos because the white wings looked nice while the person organizing the group quietly rolled Asmodian.

The Elyos presentation emphasizes the brighter side of Atreia and gives you a useful preview before character creation.

The Asmodian faction carries its own visual identity and lore presentation. Pick with your group, not five minutes after them.

4. Pick a Class for Its Job, Not This Week’s Damage Ranking

Global AION 2 launches with eight classes: Gladiator, Templar, Assassin, Ranger, Chanter, Cleric, Sorcerer and Spiritmaster. Our full AION 2 class guide explains their roles and playstyles, but the short version is simple: choose the kind of combat job you actually enjoy.

Gladiator is the obvious choice for players who want heavy melee pressure without committing to the dedicated Templar tank role.

Do not let a Korea or Taiwan tier list make the decision for you. Global is launching with a modified progression and balance model, and class tuning will continue after release. A class that feels right in your hands will survive a balance patch much better than a class you only chose because somebody placed it one line higher in a spreadsheet.

Cleric remains the primary healer, but AION 2 gives the class enough offensive ability to make solo progression less miserable.

Ranger offers mobile physical damage from range and is an approachable option for players learning encounters from a safer distance.

5. Make a Server Plan Before Advanced Access

AION 2 uses an Early Access server wave from September 30 and additional Launch Servers from October 5. Free-to-play friends can potentially join an Early Access world later, but only if character creation remains open there. Our Early Access server guide explains the full setup, including cross-server dungeon matching and the planned transfer service.

If your group is split between Founder’s Pack players and people waiting for October 5, agree on a region, faction and preferred server before the first person logs in. Do not automatically pile onto the server social media declares to be the unofficial megaserver unless everybody understands that the most popular world is also the one most likely to become awkward for late arrivals.

Players outside the main launch regions should also read our global server-region breakdown before committing, particularly if latency is going to influence the choice.

6. Link Twitch and Know What Is Happening During Launch Week

The launch period is not just a server opening. War for Atreia begins alongside Advanced Access and puts 60 creators into six regional Legions under the Elyos and Asmodian banners. You do not need to care about creator competitions to play AION 2, but the event matters because NC is using it as part of the launch broadcast schedule and viewer-reward program.

War for Atreia begins during Advanced Access, with six Captains leading regional Elyos and Asmodian teams.

If you want the reward side rather than the tournament side, link your account before the first campaign. Our AION 2 Twitch Drops guide covers the Steam-specific linking step, claiming rewards and switching between eligible channels without losing progress.

We are also tracking the event itself through our War for Atreia team coverage if you want to know which creators ended up on which side.

7. Bookmark Useful Tools, but Check the Region Before Trusting the Numbers

AION 2 already has community databases, build planners, crafting calculators, event timers and stat tools. They can save an enormous amount of time once crafting and long-term progression begin, especially when you want to know how many materials a recipe chain really needs or when a timed activity opens in your timezone.

Launch countdowns and regional timing tools are useful, but always separate confirmed dates from provisional unlock hours.

Community calculators can help with crafting, stats and build planning once permanent progression begins.

There is one rule worth learning before you copy anything: check whether the tool is using Global data or Korea/Taiwan data. The global test already showed meaningful differences in gear, crafting, enhancement caps and progression. A calculator can be perfectly accurate for the wrong region, which is a very efficient way to plan the wrong build.

For the same reason, use our Global vs Korea test-build comparison as a reminder that old regional guides are reference material, not launch scripture.

8. Clear the Disk Space and Update the PC Before Launch Day

The least exciting preparation is also the one that can completely stop you playing. AION 2 requires 100 GB of free storage, and NC recommends an SSD. The complete minimum and recommended specifications are in our AION 2 PC requirements guide.

If you use an NVIDIA GPU, install the current Game Ready driver before launch rather than troubleshooting graphics updates while the queue moves. AION 2 also supports DLSS 4.5 features on compatible RTX hardware, so the driver is not merely housekeeping for players trying to squeeze more performance from higher settings.

We have the details in our NVIDIA Game Ready and DLSS 4.5 article.

Steam players who installed the separate Launch Scale Test client should also make sure they are using the retail AION 2 application for launch. The test client was a disposable build and is not the same application you carry into permanent progression.

The Best Pre-Launch Plan Is the One That Prevents Avoidable Problems

You do not need to theorycraft your first hundred hours before AION 2 opens. In fact, overplanning around Korea or Taiwan data is one of the easiest ways to create work for yourself. The useful preparation is much more ordinary: claim the free account rewards, pick your launcher, settle faction and server plans with friends, choose a class you actually want to play, link Twitch, clear the disk space and have a few reliable tools ready for when the systems begin opening up.

Everything else can wait until Atreia is live. A new MMO is at its best when there are still things to discover, provided the first discovery is not that everybody in your group made a character on a different server.

Useful AionStrategies Guides Before Launch

Global release date and Advanced Access

Steam vs PURPLE

All eight launch classes

Early Access servers and joining friends

Twitch Drops setup

PC requirements

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AION 2 Twitch Drops Explained: How to Link Steam and Claim Launch Rewards

AION 2 is preparing Twitch Drops for the global launch period, which means there is one more thing worth sorting out before September 30: make sure your Twitch account is linked to the correct AION 2 account. NC's official Twitch Drops portal is now live, and the company has confirmed that Global players will be able to earn in-game rewards simply by watching participating AION 2 streams during active Drops campaigns.

The system itself is straightforward. Watch an eligible stream, accumulate the required viewing time, claim the Drop through Twitch, and the associated reward is sent into AION 2. The slightly more important detail concerns Steam players, because NC specifically warns them to choose the Steam option when linking their accounts.

That sounds obvious. It is also exactly the sort of thing somebody will forget until three hours into a Drops campaign.

How AION 2 Twitch Drops Work

Twitch Drops are rewards tied to specific viewing campaigns. When NC activates a campaign, participating Twitch channels will be marked as eligible for Drops. Watching those streams fills a progress bar based on the amount of viewing time required for each reward.

NC explains the process on the official AION 2 Twitch Drops page. Each Drop has its own watch-time requirement, and progress can be checked through the Twitch Drops Inventory.

Once you reach the required amount of viewing time, Twitch will notify you that the reward is ready to claim.

The important word here is claim.

Simply leaving an eligible AION 2 stream running does not necessarily complete the entire process. Once the viewing requirement has been met, you still need to claim the reward through Twitch while the campaign is active.

How to Link Your Twitch Account to AION 2

The safest option is to connect everything before the first major launch campaign begins.

1. Go to the official AION 2 Twitch Drops page.
2. Select Link Your Twitch Account.
3. Sign in with the account you actually use to play AION 2.
4. Authorize the connection to your Twitch account.
5. If you play AION 2 through Steam, select the Steam icon when choosing your account platform.
6. Confirm that the linked account is the one you intend to use on the Global servers.

That Steam-specific instruction comes directly from NC. AION 2 launches globally through both Steam and PURPLE, and the two platforms have separate purchase and account considerations. We have already broken those differences down in our AION 2 Steam vs PURPLE guide.

If you plan to use Steam, do not casually link a different NC account simply because it appears first. Drops are considerably less exciting when they arrive somewhere you never play.

You Do Not Have to Watch the Same Streamer the Entire Time

This is one of the more useful parts of Twitch's campaign system.

NC confirms that you can switch between participating channels without losing progress toward the same Drop. If you watch one eligible creator for 30 minutes and then move to another creator participating in the same campaign, your progress continues rather than starting again from zero.

That will be particularly convenient during War for Atreia, where 60 creators are spread across six competing Legions.

You will therefore be able to follow different sides of the creator competition without feeling as though Twitch has legally required you to remain loyal to one streamer for the rest of the evening.

The important restriction is that the stream you move to must also be participating in the same active Drops campaign.

Where Can You Check Your Twitch Drop Progress?

Twitch tracks active campaigns through the Drops & Rewards Inventory.

That page shows the rewards currently available, how much viewing progress you have accumulated and whether a completed reward still needs to be claimed.

NC says players who miss the pop-up notification can still claim completed rewards through the Drops Inventory for the duration of the campaign.

That makes the Inventory page worth checking occasionally rather than assuming everything happens automatically in the background.

Who Can Earn AION 2 Twitch Drops?

There is one major regional restriction:

AION 2 Twitch Drops are for Global server players.

NC explicitly says players on the Korean and Taiwanese services are not eligible for the Global Twitch Drops program.

That distinction makes sense because AION 2 Global has its own progression, economy and account environment rather than simply sharing one enormous service with Korea and Taiwan. The Global version also differs significantly from the Korean build, making separate promotional rewards unsurprising.

If you are playing Global through Steam or PURPLE, you are the audience these campaigns are designed for.

What Are the AION 2 Twitch Drop Rewards?

This is the part where patience is currently required.

NC has launched the Twitch Drops infrastructure and confirmed that future campaigns will provide in-game rewards, but the complete launch reward table has not yet been published.

We therefore do not have an official list showing exactly how many minutes or hours must be watched for each launch reward, or whether those rewards consist of cosmetics, consumables, pets, titles or something else.

War for Atreia complicates things slightly because NC has already confirmed exclusive viewer rewards and follow-up Twitch Drops during the creator event. That competition begins on September 30 and runs through October 15, with official broadcasts scheduled throughout the launch period.

But “Twitch Drops are coming” is not the same thing as every War for Atreia broadcast automatically having Drops enabled.

Players should always check whether a campaign is actually active before assuming an hour spent watching counts toward a reward.

War for Atreia Gives Twitch Drops a Natural Launch Window

The timing is fairly obvious.

War for Atreia begins on September 30, exactly when Founder's Pack Advanced Access starts. The first official broadcast, First Strike, is scheduled for that day, followed by War Desk broadcasts on October 5 and October 12 and the final Ascension broadcast on October 15.

NC has already said that follow-up Twitch Drops will be used during the campaign, so War for Atreia gives the company a ready-made reason to keep launch viewers moving between AION 2 streams.

It also means Twitch Drops could become useful even for players who have no particular interest in watching a conventional esports tournament. War for Atreia is taking place inside the actual live MMO, with creators leveling permanent characters, gearing up and competing across ordinary AION 2 systems.

Watching them may therefore be equal parts entertainment, launch research and an opportunity to collect free things. MMO players have historically shown remarkable enthusiasm for at least one of those categories.

What Happens After You Claim a Drop?

NC says claimed Twitch rewards are delivered directly into the game once the accounts are correctly connected.

If you have claimed a Drop through Twitch and the reward does not appear, the first things to check are:

• that your Twitch account is linked to AION 2
• that you linked the correct Steam or PURPLE account
• that you actually pressed Claim in the Twitch Drops Inventory
• that you are playing on the Global service
• that the campaign is still active and the reward was successfully completed

If everything is correct and the item still does not arrive, NC directs Global players to AION 2 Support.

Can You Earn Drops Before October 5?

Potentially, yes.

AION 2's full free-to-play launch is October 5, but Advanced Access begins September 30, and War for Atreia starts on the same day.

That means launch-related Twitch activity begins before the free release.

Whether every reward earned during that period can be claimed immediately by players who are waiting until October 5 will depend on the rules attached to each individual campaign. NC has not yet published those campaign-specific details.

There is no reason, however, to wait until launch day to link your account.

Link Your Account Before the Drops Start

That is probably the most useful advice here.

Twitch Drops are simple when everything is connected correctly and disproportionately annoying when they are not.

The official AION 2 Drops portal is live now. Steam players have a dedicated linking option. Global accounts are eligible. Viewing progress can move between participating channels, and the upcoming War for Atreia campaign already has follow-up Drops planned.

The only major piece missing is the exact launch reward list.

NC can announce that whenever it likes.

Your account, however, can already be ready.

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AION 2 Adds Apple Pay and Cash App Pay Ahead of Advanced Access

AION 2's global launch preparation has reached the glamorous stage where we discuss payment methods. It may not involve flying fortresses, enormous swords or Elyos and Asmodians attempting to remove each other from the sky, but it is still rather relevant when Founder's Pack Advanced Access begins in exactly one week.

NC has officially added Apple Pay and Cash App Pay as payment methods from September 23. Apple Pay is supported across 56 listed countries and territories, while Cash App Pay is currently limited to the United States. The new options arrive just seven days before AION 2 Advanced Access begins on September 30 and twelve days before the full free-to-play launch on October 5.

There is, however, one slightly frustrating omission. NC's announcement confirms the payment methods and supported countries, but does not specify exactly where those methods will appear. Steam, PURPLE and NC's own payment infrastructure are not named individually. So while Apple Pay and Cash App Pay are now officially part of AION 2's global payment setup, we still need clarification on which storefronts actually support them.

Apple Pay Is Available in 56 Countries and Territories

Apple Pay receives by far the widest support.

NC's official list includes major AION 2 markets across North America, Europe, South America and Oceania. Supported countries include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

Denmark is also included, along with Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Faroe Islands.

According to NC, the full Apple Pay availability list contains 56 countries and territories:

• United Arab Emirates
• Greece
• South Africa
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Niger
• Denmark
• Germany
• Latvia
• Romania
• Luxembourg
• Lithuania
• Liechtenstein
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Moldova
• Malta
• United States
• Vatican City
• Bulgaria
• Brazil
• Saudi Arabia
• San Marino
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Spain
• Slovenia
• Singapore
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Azerbaijan
• Estonia
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Austria
• Ukraine
• Israel
• Italy
• Georgia
• Czech Republic
• Kazakhstan
• Qatar
• Canada
• Kuwait
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Türkiye
• Palestine
• Faroe Islands
• Portugal
• Poland
• France
• Finland
• Hungary

NC also adds an important caveat: availability depends on both the supported country and the player's usage environment. The announcement does not explain exactly what that means, but device, browser, regional account settings or payment-provider restrictions could all potentially matter.

Cash App Pay Is US-Only

Cash App Pay is considerably simpler.

NC lists the United States as the only supported country.

Cash App Pay allows users to complete purchases through their Cash App account rather than entering card details directly. For US players, it therefore adds another alternative payment route alongside more traditional cards and whatever payment options are already available through the relevant storefront.

There is currently no indication that Cash App Pay will expand to Europe, Canada or other territories before launch.

Japan Is Surprisingly Missing From Apple Pay Support

One omission stands out immediately.

Japan is one of AION 2's four confirmed global server regions, but it does not appear on NC's Apple Pay availability list.

That is particularly curious because Apple Pay itself is available in Japan. NC has not explained why some otherwise Apple Pay-supported territories are missing from the AION 2 list.

The Netherlands and Belgium are absent too, despite Apple Pay operating in both countries. In South America, Brazil is included, but countries such as Argentina are not.

Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand are supported even though AION 2 will not have a dedicated Oceania server at global launch.

There may be perfectly ordinary payment-provider reasons for that particular collection of countries, but NC has not provided them.

Can You Use Apple Pay to Buy a Founder's Pack on Steam?

This is currently the biggest unanswered question.

AION 2 is available globally through both Steam and PURPLE. But purchases on those platforms do not necessarily pass through the same payment systems.

Steam transactions are handled through Valve's checkout and Steam Wallet infrastructure. NC's announcement, meanwhile, simply says that Apple Pay and Cash App Pay are being added as payment methods. It does not say “Steam,” “PURPLE,” “web shop” or “in-game store.”

That means we should not currently tell players that Apple Pay definitely works for purchasing the Steam Founder's Pack.

The wording seems more likely to concern NC's own payment environment, but that remains interpretation rather than confirmation.

This matters because Founder's Pack access is tied to the platform where the pack is purchased. If you intend to play through Steam, buying something through PURPLE because it happens to support your preferred payment method is not necessarily interchangeable.

The Timing Is Obviously About Launch

The timing of the change is not subtle.

Apple Pay and Cash App Pay arrive on September 23.

Advanced Access begins September 30.

The full free-to-play launch follows October 5.

That gives NC exactly one week to have the new payment methods running before Founder's Pack players begin making permanent characters and the real AION 2 economy comes online.

Paid systems will matter considerably more at that point than they did during the Launch Scale Test, where the Shop, Membership, Market, Quna Exchange and payment functions were deliberately disabled.

We have already covered how AION 2 Membership and the Quna economy work, while recent changes such as the removal of direct player trading have made NC's official payment and Market systems even more central to the global economy.

What About AION 2's Payment Verification?

NC previously announced a one-time verification process for first card purchases. That process uses card-issuer verification to reduce payment fraud.

The new Apple Pay and Cash App Pay notice does not say whether those wallet-based methods are subject to the same verification process.

That makes sense because digital wallets already handle authentication differently from ordinary card entry, but until NC publishes more detail we should not assume the original verification rules either do or do not apply.

Players purchasing a Founder's Pack through a new payment method should therefore be prepared for whatever authentication their payment provider requests.

No Changes to Pricing Have Been Announced

The addition of Apple Pay and Cash App Pay does not currently change AION 2's pricing structure.

NC has announced no additional transaction fee, regional price adjustment or discount connected with the new payment methods.

The three Founder's Pack tiers remain priced at $24.99, $49.99 and $99.99 in the United States, while Special Quai Membership remains roughly $15 per month.

Similarly, NC has not announced Google Pay, PayPal or additional local payment services as part of this update.

The company simply says it intends to provide more convenient and diverse payment options.

Useful, but We Still Need One Important Answer

Adding Apple Pay one week before Advanced Access is a sensible quality-of-life improvement, particularly across Europe and North America where mobile wallet use is already widespread.

Cash App Pay gives US players another route as well.

The unanswered question is surprisingly basic:

Where exactly can we use them?

If the new methods appear across NC's web shop and PURPLE but not Steam, players need to know that before purchasing a Founder's Pack. If they are somehow integrated into both environments, that would be useful to confirm too.

With September 30 now only a week away, we probably will not have to wait very long to find out.

For now, Apple Pay and Cash App Pay are officially part of AION 2 Global's payment system from September 23.

The checkout button just needs to tell us where.

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AION 2 Hits 73,761 Concurrent Steam Players During Its First Global Test

AION 2 has finally been placed in front of a global PC audience, and quite a few people apparently wanted to see what NC has been building. During the first day of the Launch Scale Test on September 17, AION 2 reached an all-time peak of 73,761 concurrent players on Steam, according to SteamDB. For a temporary test running for just six hours, with every character destined for deletion, that is a fairly substantial first showing.

There is an important qualifier immediately: 73,761 is not the total AION 2 test population. The Launch Scale Test is available through both Steam and PURPLE, while SteamDB can naturally only see players using Steam. NC has not published a combined concurrency figure for the two platforms, so the actual number of people exploring the global version at peak was higher. How much higher, we simply do not know.

73,761 Players Joined a Test Where Nothing Survives

The number becomes more interesting once you look at the structure of the test itself. Day 1 only ran from 15:00 to 21:00 CEST on September 17, giving players a six-hour window. The second session runs from 21:00 CEST on September 18 until 03:00 on September 19.

NC has also made it very clear that this is not early progression disguised as a beta. Characters carry from Day 1 into Day 2, but everything is wiped once the test finishes. Nothing transfers into Advanced Access on September 30 or the full October launch.

The Market, Quna Exchange, player trading, Membership systems, Founder's Pack bonuses and all payment functionality are disabled as well. The level cap is 37. In other words, tens of thousands of Steam players turned up knowing perfectly well that everything they accomplished would shortly disappear into the MMO void. That is usually a reasonably healthy indication that people are curious.

This Is Not the Same as a Launch Player Count

It is tempting to take a SteamDB graph and immediately begin predicting the future. We would avoid that.

A free public test and a live MMO launch are two very different things. There was no purchase required, no invitation system and no meaningful commitment involved beyond downloading a rather large client. Some players will have logged in purely to inspect the character creator, test performance or satisfy their curiosity before deciding that AION 2 is not for them.

At the same time, the limited six-hour window works in the opposite direction. This was not a normal 24-hour period where players could log in whenever convenient. Everyone using Steam had to squeeze into the same relatively narrow block of time, which makes concurrency particularly visible.

The number is therefore best treated for what it is: the first concrete indication of global interest in AION 2 on Steam, not a prediction of how many people will still be playing three weeks after launch.

PURPLE Makes the Real Test Population Impossible to See

This is also why comparisons with other MMO tests need some care. AION 2 is not a Steam-only release. Players can access the global game directly through NC's PURPLE platform as well, something we covered in our Steam vs PURPLE guide.

Someone playing through PURPLE never appears on SteamDB's chart. That means 73,761 should effectively be read as “at least 73,761 concurrent PC players” rather than the complete peak for Day 1.

Whether Steam becomes the dominant platform after launch will be interesting to watch. Steam gives us transparent public concurrency data, while PURPLE does not, so the visible number will always represent only one part of AION 2's global audience.

The Test Is Also Doing What NC Actually Needs It to Do

The entire point of a Launch Scale Test is to put real pressure on infrastructure before the permanent characters arrive. NC opened the test to everyone with no keys, invitations or registration list, which makes a large turnout considerably more useful than a carefully controlled closed beta.

It also gives players their first chance to test many of the things we have spent the past week discussing theoretically: the eight global launch classes, the game's combat, regional latency and whether their machines actually meet the AION 2 PC requirements.

NC scheduled maintenance after the first test session, with the game servers temporarily unavailable ahead of Day 2. For a scale test, that is not particularly alarming. Finding problems while the characters are disposable is considerably preferable to discovering them on September 30 while several thousand Founder's Pack owners are staring angrily at a login screen.

Day 2 Could Push the Steam Peak Even Higher

The second Launch Scale Test session begins tonight at 21:00 CEST. The later European start and Friday timing could produce a different concurrency pattern, although there is no guarantee the Day 1 record will be beaten.

We will know the final Steam peak once that second session is over. For now, 73,761 concurrent Steam players is the number to beat.

Then comes the considerably more important test. Founder's Pack owners enter through Advanced Access on September 30, followed by the full AION 2 global release on October 5.

A six-hour test cannot tell us whether AION 2 will become the next long-term MMO success. It can tell us that a lot of people were willing to turn up for the audition.

73,761 of them on Steam alone, in fact.

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AION 2 Steam vs PURPLE: Which Launcher Should You Use for Global Launch?

AION 2's global launch gives PC players two doors into Atreia. You can play through Steam, where most of us already have a library large enough to qualify as an archaeological site, or through PURPLE, NC's own PC platform. Both are official launch options, both support the global version of AION 2, and both can be used for the Launch Scale Test. The obvious question is whether choosing one over the other actually matters.

For most players, the answer is fairly simple: choose the platform you actually intend to keep using. The game itself does not become fundamentally different because you launch it through Steam rather than PURPLE. However, Founder's Pack purchases, Advance Access and a few practical details are tied closely enough to your launcher choice that it is worth deciding before spending money rather than afterward.

Steam and PURPLE Both Run the Global PC Version

NC confirmed earlier this year that the global AION 2 release is being developed for PC through both Steam and PURPLE. The global service launches with regional servers in North America, South America, Europe and Japan, rather than maintaining a completely separate set of worlds specifically because somebody clicked a different launcher icon.

That means you do not need Steam and PURPLE installed at the same time simply to play AION 2. They are alternative ways of accessing the game, not two halves of some elaborate NC launcher ritual.

If you already use Steam for almost everything, there is an obvious convenience advantage in keeping AION 2 inside the same library. Screenshots, downloads, playtime tracking and purchases all stay in the ecosystem you already know. PURPLE makes more sense if you already use NC's platform or simply prefer dealing directly with the publisher rather than adding Steam as another layer.

Founder's Packs Are Where Your Choice Starts to Matter

The important detail comes if you plan to buy a Founder's Pack. AION 2 offers Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate packs on both platforms, starting at $24.99, and all three include five days of Advance Access beginning September 30 plus 30 days of Special Quai Membership.

Those purchases are tied to the platform where you make them. A Founder's Pack bought through Steam is intended for the Steam version, while one purchased through PURPLE is tied to PURPLE. The associated Advance Access does not function as a generic ticket that you can casually move between launchers later.

So if you already know you want to play through Steam, buy the Steam pack. If you intend to use PURPLE, buy it there. Buying first and deciding which launcher you prefer afterward is doing these steps in precisely the wrong order.

We have already broken down what the subscription actually unlocks in our guide to AION 2's Membership, Market and trading systems, so the Founder's Pack is more than simply five days of early access and a collection of shiny wings.

PURPLE Has One Founder's Pack Advantage

PURPLE currently has one useful advantage for players who are uncertain which Founder's Pack tier they want. NC offers paid upgrade products between Founder's Pack tiers through PURPLE. A Standard owner can pay the price difference to move to Deluxe or Ultimate, while a Deluxe owner can upgrade to Ultimate.

The upgrade prices correspond to the difference between the original pack prices, so choosing Standard first does not punish you financially if you later decide those expensive wings have begun calling your name.

An equivalent upgrade system has not been announced for Steam. That makes PURPLE slightly more flexible if you want Advance Access but are still debating whether the larger cosmetic packages are worthwhile.

The Launch Scale Test Works Slightly Differently

The difference is also visible during the AION 2 Launch Scale Test.

Both Steam and PURPLE players can participate, and the test is completely open with no keys or invitation requirement. However, Steam users are downloading a separate AION 2 Playtest application. Once the test finishes, NC says Steam players must uninstall that Playtest client and download the regular AION 2 application separately before Advance Access begins.

PURPLE players have no equivalent post-test step. NC specifically states that PURPLE users have nothing further to do once the Launch Scale Test ends.

This is hardly enough to justify changing your entire platform decision. Uninstalling one client and downloading another is not exactly the Siege of the Abyss. Still, PURPLE does offer the slightly cleaner transition between test and retail.

Does Launch Scale Test Progress Carry Between Steam and PURPLE?

For the current test, this question is largely academic because all Launch Scale Test progression will be wiped. Characters carry from Test Day 1 into Test Day 2, but nothing survives into Advance Access or the October 5 release.

Founder's Pack bonuses are also disabled during testing, along with the Market, Quna Exchange, player trading, Membership benefits and payment systems. In other words, there is no reason to choose your permanent launcher based on preserving whatever you accomplish during these twelve temporary hours.

Use the test to decide whether you like the game, try a few of the eight AION 2 launch classes and see how your computer handles Atreia. We also have the official AION 2 PC requirements if your graphics card begins making noises normally associated with agricultural machinery.

Should You Choose Steam or PURPLE for AION 2?

For most players, Steam is probably the easiest choice. If your games already live there, there is little reason to add another launcher purely for AION 2. The global game launches there officially, Founder's Packs are available there and Advance Access begins on September 30 exactly as it does through PURPLE.

PURPLE nevertheless has a couple of legitimate advantages. The transition from Launch Scale Test to retail is cleaner, and its Founder's Pack upgrade options give you more flexibility if you initially purchase Standard or Deluxe and later want a higher tier.

• Choose Steam if: you already use Steam, want AION 2 alongside the rest of your library and already know which Founder's Pack you want.
• Choose PURPLE if: you already use NC's ecosystem, want the cleanest test-to-launch transition or value the option to upgrade your Founder's Pack later.

The most important advice is simpler than either of those points: once money enters the equation, pick your platform before buying.

AION 2 launches globally as a free-to-play game on October 5, with Founder's Pack Advance Access beginning September 30. If you are waiting for the free launch, there is considerably less pressure. Download the launcher you prefer and go.

If you are paying to arrive five days early, however, make sure you have chosen the door before buying the key.

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AION 2 Global Release Date Is October 5, With Early Access Starting September 30

The waiting is almost over. AION 2 will officially launch globally on October 5, 2026, bringing NC's long-awaited MMORPG sequel to Western players after almost a year of watching the Korean version evolve from afar. Players who purchase one of the game's Founder's Packs will not have to wait quite that long, with five days of Advanced Access beginning on September 30.

The date is now confirmed through both the official AION 2 global website and the game's Steam page, finally replacing the broad 2026 release window NC gave us earlier this year. When we first covered AION 2's confirmed global release plans back in February, the important news was simply that the game was coming West. Seven months later, we can finally start counting the remaining days rather than fiscal quarters.

AION 2 Launches Globally on October 5

The full global release arrives on October 5 as a free-to-play PC MMORPG. Players will be able to access AION 2 through Steam and NC's PURPLE platform, with the Steam listing confirming support for online PvP, online co-op and in-game purchases.

NC describes AION 2 as a vastly expanded successor built around aerial exploration and combat. According to the Steam listing, its world is approximately 36 times larger than the original AION, with verticality playing a central role in exploration and battles rather than flight simply being a convenient way to cross the map.

That is a rather substantial step up from the original game's famous wings. In AION 2, apparently, the sky is no longer just somewhere you occasionally go when the flight meter allows it. It is part of the battlefield.

Advanced Access Begins September 30

Players purchasing any of the three Founder's Packs receive five days of Advanced Access beginning September 30. The Standard Founder's Pack is currently listed at $24.99 on Steam, with Deluxe at $49.99 and Ultimate at $99.99. All three include the five-day head start, while the more expensive versions add additional cosmetic items and other bonuses.

The Standard pack also includes a 30-day membership, a Daeva's Campaign Supply Chest and the exclusive Vanguard of Atreia title. Deluxe adds additional skins and weapon cosmetics, while Ultimate adds further character styling items, a Black Dragon pet and Blazing Sun Wings.

None of that is required to play AION 2 once the game launches on October 5. Players who are happy to wait five additional days can simply enter when the free-to-play version opens.

You Can Play AION 2 Before September 30

There is actually one opportunity to get into Atreia even earlier. NC is running the AION 2 Launch Scale Test beginning September 17, giving global players two six-hour sessions to test the game before release. The level cap is 37, several economy systems are disabled and all progression will be wiped when testing ends, but participation is free.

That makes September unusually busy for a game that spent much of this year feeling frustratingly distant. First comes the Launch Scale Test, then Advanced Access, and finally the full October 5 release.

PC Comes First, but Consoles Are Already Planned

October's release is PC-only, but NC is already looking beyond Steam and PURPLE. Game Director Namjoon Kim recently confirmed that an AION 2 console version is already being prepared, although no console platforms or release date have been announced yet.

PC and console cross-play is also far from guaranteed. NC has suggested that differences in platform usage, gameplay and launch timing could make shared play difficult, meaning the future console version may end up with a somewhat separate ecosystem.

For October, however, the message is simple: PC comes first.

From Korean Success to a Global Launch

AION 2 originally launched in South Korea in November 2025 and quickly became one of NC's most important recent PC releases. Since then, the developer has continued expanding progression, dungeons and economic systems, including controversial changes such as the introduction of Bound Kinah. The 2026 AION 2 roadmap also made it clear that NC intends to keep adding content rather than treating launch as the finish line.

For global players, though, all of that has mostly been something happening somewhere else. That changes now.

September 17 brings the test. September 30 brings Advanced Access. October 5 brings the full global launch.

After months of release windows, financial reports, Korean patches and speculation, AION 2 finally has the one thing every MMO eventually needs: a date when everyone else gets to play it.

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AION 2 Console Version Is Already in Development, but Cross-Play May Not Happen

AION 2 is launching globally on PC in just a few weeks, but NC is already looking beyond Steam and PURPLE. Game Director Namjoon Kim has confirmed that a console version of AION 2 is currently being prepared, with console support expected to follow after the global PC release. There is no release date yet, NC has not announced which consoles will receive the game, and anyone hoping to simply bring their PC character across to a future console version may want to keep expectations under control. Cross-play between PC and consoles currently looks unlikely.

The confirmation came during a Gamescom interview with the AION 2 development team, where Kim was asked directly whether NC would consider a console release if there was sufficient player demand. His answer was considerably more concrete than the usual "we are always exploring opportunities" language. According to Kim, NC is already preparing the console launch, although the immediate priority remains getting the global PC version out successfully first.

AION 2 Console Support Will Come After PC

For now, the global launch remains firmly focused on PC. AION 2 will be available through Steam and NC's PURPLE launcher, with Founder's Pack owners getting Advanced Access on September 30 before the full free-to-play release on October 5. Earlier this year, when we covered NC confirming AION 2's global release plans, the big question was simply when Western players would finally get access. The conversation has moved rather quickly since then. We are now discussing what happens after launch.

NC has not confirmed whether the eventual console version means PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S or both, and there is no timetable beyond the statement that console support will follow the global PC release. That means this should not be read as a surprise console launch arriving alongside the PC version in October. It is a separate project that NC is actively preparing for later.

PC and Console Cross-Play Looks Unlikely

The more interesting part of the interview came when Kim was asked whether the future console release would support cross-play with PC. NC has not made a final decision, but the current thinking appears to be probably not. Kim explained that PC and console usage patterns and gameplay differ, while the separate launch timing also complicates running the versions together.

That could have significant consequences depending on how NC eventually structures the console version. AION 2 is an MMO built around persistent progression, group content, PvP and a long-running economy, so splitting the community across separate platform environments is considerably more important than it would be in a conventional single-player game. The existing AION 2 roadmap already shows how aggressively NC plans to expand the game, and a console edition arriving months later could potentially begin from a different content or seasonal position.

For now, however, that part remains speculation. The useful information is simply that cross-play has not been ruled out officially, but NC currently appears to be leaning against it.

Controller Support Is Already Included on PC

There is some good news for players who want a more console-like experience without waiting for the actual console release. Executive Publishing Producer Merv Lee Kwai confirmed that AION 2 supports controllers on PC. That makes plenty of sense for a game built around modern action combat, aerial movement, gliding and a third-person camera rather than the enormous hotbar forests that once caused MMO players to develop additional fingers through sheer necessity.

Controller support also gives NC useful experience before the console edition arrives. UI navigation, targeting, movement and ability layouts all need to function comfortably without a keyboard and mouse, and the PC release effectively gives the studio a head start on solving those problems.

There Are No Plans for a Global Mobile Version

The same interview also clears up another platform question. Despite NC's enormous presence in mobile gaming, the global version of AION 2 is being treated as a PC game, and Lee Kwai said there are currently no plans to bring the global release to mobile.

That distinction matters because AION 2 has occasionally been lumped together with NC's broader multiplatform strategy. For Western players, the roadmap is now much clearer: PC comes first, consoles are being prepared for later, and mobile is not currently part of the global plan.

DLSS 5 Is Also Being Prepared

NC is thinking beyond platforms on the technical side as well. The developers confirmed that they are working with NVIDIA on DLSS 5 support, while NVIDIA has already confirmed that the Western release will support DLSS 4.5 when Advanced Access begins on September 30.

AION 2 runs on Unreal Engine 5 and leans heavily on enormous environments, long draw distances, dense fantasy architecture and the freedom to move through the world vertically. That makes performance technology particularly relevant here. Flying through Atreia is considerably less impressive if the glorious city on the horizon arrives three seconds after you do.

AION 2 Is Starting to Look Like a Much Bigger Global Project

The console confirmation may not affect anyone playing AION 2 this October, but it does tell us something important about NC's ambitions. This is not being treated as a PC launch that will simply be maintained in its existing markets. The company is already planning how AION 2 expands after the global release, both through new platforms and continued technical development.

For PC players, nothing changes in the immediate future. Steam and PURPLE remain the places to play, controller support is already available, and the October launch comes first. For console players, though, there is finally something more substantial than hope.

AION 2 is coming to consoles. We just do not yet know when, where or whether those players will be sharing Atreia with the rest of us.

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