Released 5 Oct 2026 · MMORPG

AION 2

A free-to-play sky-warfare MMORPG where flight is how you fight, not just how you travel.

Get AION 2 on Steam →

What is AION 2?

AION 2 is NC's free-to-play follow-up to the original AION, rebuilt on Unreal Engine 5 in a world the developer says is 36 times larger than the first game. Players pick a faction and a class, become a winged Daeva, and fight across land and open sky — the game leans hard on full 3D aerial combat as its main hook, rather than treating flight as a travel shortcut.

It launched globally on PC on October 5, 2026 through Steam and NC's own PURPLE launcher, after a Founder's Pack early-access window that opened on September 30. That early-access period alone pulled in a reported peak of around 170,000 concurrent players on Steam and pushed AION 2 to the top of Steam's global Top Sellers chart, making it one of the biggest MMORPG launches of the year.

Genre
MMORPG, Action RPG, Massively Multiplayer, Free To Play
Platform
PC (Steam, PURPLE launcher)
Price
Free
Age
13+
Developer
NC
Released
5 Oct 2026
Official link
Steam page

Why it's blowing up

  • Huge, well-publicized Steam numbers: a reported peak of about 170,000 concurrent players during early access and the #1 spot on Steam's global Top Sellers chart.
  • It's completely free to play, which removes the biggest barrier for players curious about a big-budget MMORPG launch.
  • Aerial combat built into every fight, not just exploration, makes it feel distinct from most ground-based MMORPGs releasing right now.
  • It's a high-profile sequel to a known MMO brand (AION), rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, which brought back lapsed fans alongside new players.

How to play AION 2

  1. Get the game

    Download AION 2 for free from Steam (appid 3393110) or from NC's PURPLE launcher. It is PC-only at launch (Windows), with no Mac or Linux client.

  2. Pick your faction

    Choose between Elyos and Asmodian. This choice is permanent on that character, decides which starting zones you level through, and puts you on one side of the game's faction war.

  3. Choose a class

    Pick a class such as Templar, Ranger, Cleric, Gladiator, Assassin or Sorcerer. Templar and Ranger are generally considered the most forgiving starts; Cleric is in high demand for groups.

  4. Learn the basics on the ground first

    Spend your first levels on your basic left/right mouse attacks and core skills before worrying about advanced rotations — early guides recommend upgrading your main weapon and basic attacks first since they're used constantly.

  5. Take to the air

    As you unlock flight, start using verticality in fights: gaining altitude is treated as a real combat advantage, not just a way to cross the map faster.

  6. Join a guild early

    Guilds provide group content, passive buffs and a weekly allotment of guild coins that can be spent on upgrade materials, so joining one in your first few sessions pays off quickly.

Beginner tips

  • Your faction choice (Elyos vs Asmodian) can't be changed later on that character, so pick based on which starting zones and side of the war you want, not just class availability.
  • Prioritize leveling your basic attacks and main weapon upgrades early — they're used in every fight and speed up everything else.
  • Join a guild as soon as you can for group content, passive bonuses and weekly guild coins.
  • Use altitude deliberately in fights instead of staying grounded — the game is designed around fighting in three dimensions, and higher ground (or air) is a real advantage.
  • If you want to be picked for groups quickly, a Cleric is in high demand; if you want the smoothest solo start, Templar or Ranger are considered easier than Assassin or Sorcerer.

Timeline

  • Global early access opens for Founder's Pack buyers; AION 2 reaches a peak of 171,530 concurrent players on Steam and hits #1 on Steam's global Top Sellers chart, ranking #1 in sales across 12 countries. source
  • Over 100,000 players still active on Steam the day after the early-access peak. source
  • AION 2 has its full global launch on PC via Steam and NC's PURPLE launcher, simultaneously in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. source

AION 2 FAQ

Is AION 2 free to play?

Yes. AION 2 is free to play on Steam; optional paid Founder's Packs existed for early access ahead of the October 5, 2026 global launch.

What platforms is AION 2 on?

PC only at launch, via Steam or NC's PURPLE launcher. There is no Mac, Linux or console version at release.

When did AION 2 release?

Global early access began September 30, 2026 for Founder's Pack buyers, with the full global launch on October 5, 2026.

How many people are playing AION 2?

During its early-access window, AION 2 reportedly hit a peak of about 170,000 concurrent players on Steam and topped Steam's global Top Sellers chart; NC said over 100,000 were still playing as of October 1, 2026.

Can I change my faction or class later?

No — your faction choice (Elyos or Asmodian) is permanent for that character once made.

Is AION 2 related to the original AION?

Yes, it's developed by NC as a sequel/successor to the original AION, rebuilt on Unreal Engine 5 with a much larger world and flight-based combat as its central mechanic.

What age rating does AION 2 have?

Its Steam listing carries a required age of 13+.

Official & community links

If you like it, players also mention: AION, Throne and Liberty, Lost Ark, Black Desert Online, Guild Wars 2.

Page updated 5 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us via the about page.