AION 2 launched its Early Access on PC on September 30, 2026. This early access phase is reserved for those who purchased a Founder's Pack, granting them five days' entry before the free-to-play launch scheduled for October 5. The game is distributed via Steam and NC's PURPLE platform, and the company has confirmed that progress made from now on will carry over to the free-to-play version.
This stage is not simply a technical test. Following the Launch Scale Test in mid-September, early access no longer imposes time or content restrictions, allowing players to try the full game. Players can decide whether to wait for the free release or get a head start with an early advantage and rewards tied to Founder's Packs.
Early access and five-day advantage
The early access period will run from September 30th to October 4th . A Founder's Pack Standard, Deluxe, or Ultimate is required to enter, and the game will transition to a free-to-play model on October 5th. All content and progress achieved by users will be retained, giving them a five-day advantage over those waiting for the official launch.
During this phase, the restrictions from previous testing have been removed. PvP battlegrounds , dimensional rifts, high-level content, the marketplace and player economy, the costume and transmogrification system, the cosmetics shop, and regular character progression are now enabled. The auction house will also be available, though it requires an active subscription and is not essential for progressing.
Prices and contents of the Founder's Pack
There are three editions available: Standard for $24,99 , Deluxe for $49,99, and Ultimate for $99,99. All three include immediate access to the game and a 30-day membership. This membership unlocks the auction house and adds various perks, as well as cosmetic items such as skins, wings, titles, a starter chest, and exclusive bonuses.
The base version, launching on October 5th , will be completely free-to-play. Some features, like the auction house, will require an active subscription, but won't be essential for progression. Purchasing a Founder's Pack primarily grants early access, extends membership time, and provides additional cosmetic items.
AION 2 triumphs on Steam and stirs up the community
The launch has been met with a remarkable response on Steam. AION 2 has become the best-selling game globally on the platform, even before its full release. Steam ranks this list based on revenue, so this ranking stems from purchases made to access the game early, as it will later become free-to-play.
The game has also reached number one in Spain , Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Poland, Singapore, and Thailand. Furthermore, it has broken into the Top 10 in other markets such as Germany, Austria, Finland, Turkey, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. In Europe, this result reinforces the MMORPG's presence in countries where the franchise has a well-established community.
Early access coincides with War For Atreia, an event featuring 60 content creators from North America, Europe, and South America. For two weeks, from September 30 to October 14, streamers will compete representing different factions, and viewers can earn rewards through Twitch Drops while the participants are streaming.
An MMORPG with flying, factions, and an expanded world
AION 2 is the sequel to the original MMORPG and was first released in Korea and Taiwan in November 2025. Now it aims to repeat that success in the global market with a game developed on Unreal Engine 5 and focused on PC. The company has explained that its goal is not only to have a successful launch, but also to maintain a steady stream of content and build an experience that will last for years.
The world of Atreia is 36 times larger than that of the first AION, according to the development team. Free flight returns as a defining feature, with vertical environments and aerial combat integrated into both PvE and PvP, as well as underwater areas to explore.
The story once again pits two great factions against each other, and players must choose a side to ascend as Daeva and participate in a factional war. NC presents the sky as a battlefield and emphasizes that verticality affects the design of regions and combat, not just movement.
With early access now underway, AION 2 effectively functions as a full release: all content is available, there's no progress reset, and the economy and endgame are fully operational. The difference from October 5th is that a Founder's Pack is now required. Those who want to secure a five-day head start can purchase it starting at $24,99, while those who prefer not to pay will have to wait for the free launch to try it at no cost.