Launch timeline
Status is worked out from your own calendar date. Dates come from official notices.
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17 to 18 Sep
Launch Scale Test
Capped at level 37 and wiped. Nothing carried over.
Past
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30 Sep
7:00 AM PDT (14:00 UTC), after two delays from 6:00 AM PDT.
Past
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30 Sep to 19 Oct
Character-creation contest
First of the launch event windows.
Live now
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4 Oct
Early Access closed for launch maintenance
10:00 PM PDT (05:00 UTC on 5 October), for 8 hours.
Past
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5 Oct
Global launch
Went live on time at 6:00 AM PDT (13:00 UTC).
Live now
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5 Oct
8:00 AM PDT (15:00 UTC, 17:00 CEST).
Live now
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5 Oct to 2 Nov
Dungeon Leaderboard and guide-writing contest
Transcendence Dungeon Leaderboard per server and per class, checked via ESC > Transcendence > Rank > Class. Early Access servers started 30 September.
Live now
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5 Oct to 9 Nov
Weekly screenshot theme event
Live now
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14 Oct
Between servers of the same faction.
Upcoming
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By 16 Oct
NC plans to announce when Sanctuary Raid: Ludra returns.
Upcoming
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1 Dec
Launch rewards deadline
Log in before maintenance begins to claim Pre-Registration and Steam Wishlist rewards.
Upcoming
Launch events
NC lists four launch events. Daeva Makeover, a character-creation contest, runs 30 September to 19 October. Guides for Glory, a guide-writing contest, runs 5 October to 2 November. The Transcendence Dungeon Leaderboard runs 5 October to 2 November (from 30 September on Early Access servers): clearing Deus Research Base and Shattered Arkanis earns Rank Points, ranked per server and per class under ESC > Transcendence > Rank > Class. Beauty of Atreia, a weekly screenshot theme event, runs 5 October to 9 November.
Sanctuary Raid: Ludra
Ludra is not in the launch build. On 5 October NC said it temporarily removed the raid with the full launch build and will bring it back with new and adjusted mechanics and attack patterns, a First Clear event, and a Hall of Fame reset for the release. Ludra gear earned in Early Access is also removed for now; NC says it will be granted back when the raid returns, with spent upgrade materials reimbursed. Every player who cleared Ludra in the Europe region during Early Access receives a unique title. NC will share the return date by 16 October.
Player count
NC has not published a concurrent-player figure on the pages we track. Inven Global reports SteamDB numbers: a Steam peak of 171,530 during Early Access (reported 1 October), and 397,905 on 5 October (UTC), the launch day, which excludes players on NC's PURPLE platform. NC says the combined peak with PURPLE passed 400,000. As of 7 October AION 2 ranked 3rd in Current Players and 5th in Daily Players on Steam's Most Played chart.
Server transfers
Transfers become available from the 13 October (PDT) maintenance, between servers of the same faction and region. The base fee is 0 Quna and extra character slots cost 1,000 Quna each. You get one transfer per account. Instanced content including dungeons is cross-server. NC recommends creating characters on recommended servers when queues are long. See the server transfer guide for dates, limits and what carries over.
Founder's Packs
Sales have ended. NC's 30 September notice named 5 October, 8:00 AM PDT (17:00 CEST) as the last chance to buy. The table below is kept as a record of what each tier included.
| Included | Standard$24.99 | Deluxe$49.99 | Ultimate$99.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-day Early Access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Daeva's Campaign Supply Chest (Bound) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Title: Vanguard of Atreia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Special Quai Membership (30 days after activation) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ascended Daeva (Skin: Set) (Bound) | Not included | Yes | Yes |
| Weapon Skin Chest: Eternal Sun (Bound) | Not included | Yes | Yes |
| Daeva's Styling Chest (Bound) | Not included | Not included | Yes |
| Moonlit Aria (Skin: Set) (Bound) | Not included | Not included | Yes |
| Pet: Black Dragon | Not included | Not included | Yes |
| Blazing Sun Wings (Bound) | Not included | Not included | Yes |
Play on the platform of purchase (Steam or PURPLE). Servers are shared. On 3 October NC said the pack's title, skins, pet and wings will become usable on every character on your account, on any server, with the change completed after Early Access ends. Early Access has ended, and as of 5 October NC has not yet posted the follow-up notice with timing and steps. The 30-day membership and the chests stay one-time rewards. In the same notice NC said that on Steam, buying a higher tier lets you ask Support to refund the lower one. Sales ran from 22 July 2026, 6:00 AM PDT until 5 October, 8:00 AM PDT (17:00 CEST). PURPLE-only upgrade prices from the notice: Standard to Deluxe $25; Standard to Ultimate $75; Deluxe to Ultimate $50.
FAQ
When did Aion 2 launch globally?
On October 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM PDT (13:00 UTC, 15:00 CEST). NC confirmed that morning that the launch was on time and posted "AION 2 is live!" at 6:00 AM PDT. Early Access ran from September 30, 7:00 AM PDT (14:00 UTC), until launch maintenance began at 10:00 PM PDT on October 4.
Can I still buy a Founder's Pack?
No. NC's September 30 notice named October 5, 8:00 AM PDT (17:00 CEST) as the last chance to buy one. The tier table on this page is kept as a record for pack owners.
Is Sanctuary Raid: Ludra in the launch build?
No. NC temporarily removed Ludra with the full launch build and is preparing an updated version with new and adjusted mechanics. NC says it will share Ludra's return date by October 16.
Is Aion 2 free to play?
Yes. It is free to play with an optional monthly membership. Optional paid items are cosmetics, a Battle Pass, and a membership that gives access to the player-driven economy and currency exchanges.
Can I play solo?
Yes. The Launch FAQ says you can play solo or with friends.
Which platforms are supported?
Steam and PURPLE on Windows PC. Steam and PURPLE content is identical and uses the same servers. Linking Purple and Steam is only needed to use the same character on both. Controller play works but is not officially supported, and Linux and Steam Deck are not officially supported.
Does my Korea or Taiwan progress carry over?
No. No progress carries over from the Taiwan or Korea services.
Which regions and languages are available?
Servers are in North America, South America, Europe, and Japan. Voice-over is English, Japanese, and Korean. UI and subtitles are English, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Japanese, and Korean. NC's 4 October server list groups launch servers into Europe, NA West, NA East, Latin America and Asia.
Can I transfer servers?
From the 13 October (PDT) maintenance, between servers of the same faction and region. Early Access characters can transfer only between Early Access servers, not to launch servers. The base fee is 0 Quna and each extra character slot costs 1,000 Quna. You get one transfer per account.
Not verified here
- When Founder's Pack cosmetics become usable account-wide
- Whether PURPLE tier upgrades and the Steam refund route stay open now that sales have ended
- When Sanctuary Raid: Ludra returns
- Steam storefront text, localized prices, and system requirements
- Console or mobile global clients
Sources
- AION 2 official global teaser
English teaser captured 2026-08-27. States official launch on October 5, 2026, Steam wishlist, Founder's Packs, and four named expeditions for up to 4 players. The launch hour is not stated there.
- Notice about Client Decryption and Early Access Start Time (Extended)
Posted 2026-09-30. Early Access opened September 30 at 7:00 AM PDT (14:00 UTC), after two delays from 6:00 AM PDT.
- Advanced Access Servers
Posted 2026-09-29. Advanced Access until October 4, 10:00 PM PDT (05:00 UTC October 5), then maintenance until October 5, 6:00 AM PDT; global launch October 5 at 6:00 AM PDT (13:00 UTC). NC says maintenance times are subject to change.
- Launch FAQ
Posted 2026-09-30. Business model, platforms, languages, servers, progress carry-over, and controller/Linux support.
- Information on Server Transfer
Transfers start October 14, same faction only, and will initially be free. Early Access characters can only move between Early Access servers. Instanced content is cross-server.
- Community Launch Events Overview
Four events: Daeva Makeover (Sep 30 to Oct 19), Guides for Glory (Oct 5 to Nov 2), Transcendence Dungeon Leaderboard (Oct 5 to Nov 2, from Sep 30 on Early Access servers; Deus Research Base and Shattered Arkanis; per server and per class), and Beauty of Atreia (Oct 5 to Nov 9).
- Launch Rewards
Pre-Registration and Steam Wishlist rewards are extended to every player who creates an account and logs in before maintenance begins on December 1.
- Founder's Pack product notice (updated 8/18 5PM PT)
- Scheduled Maintenance Sun Oct 4 / Mon Oct 5
Posted 2026-10-04. Maintenance from October 4, 22:00 PDT (October 5, 07:00 CEST) for 8 hours. Advanced Access ends and commercial launch begins. NC says the schedule may change.
- Launch Server List
Posted 2026-10-04. Launch servers are grouped into Europe, NA West, NA East, Latin America and ASIA. Each server holds one faction; every Elyos server is paired with an Asmodian server.
- Founder's Packs Cosmetics Soon Available On All Characters
Posted 2026-10-03. Pack title, skins, pet and wings will become usable on every character on the account, on any server; the change completes after Early Access ends and NC will post timing in a follow-up. The 30-day membership, Supply Chest and Styling Chest stay one-time rewards. PURPLE allows tier upgrades; on Steam, buying a higher tier lets you request a refund of the lower pack through Support.
- Jump Into Advanced Access Now!
Posted 2026-09-30. Last chance to buy a Founder's Pack: October 5, 8:00 AM PDT (17:00 CEST).
- AION 2 Will Launch On Time
Posted 2026-10-05 before launch. Confirms the global launch is on time at 6:00 AM PDT / 15:00 CEST (13:00 UTC).
- Launch Into AION 2 Now!
Posted 2026-10-05 at 13:00 UTC (6:00 AM PDT): "Daevas, AION 2 is live!"
- Update on Sanctuary Raid
Posted 2026-10-05. Sanctuary Raid: Ludra is temporarily removed with the full launch build and will return with new and adjusted mechanics, a First Clear event and a reset Hall of Fame. Ludra gear from Early Access is removed for now and granted back on return, with upgrade materials reimbursed. Europe-region Early Access clears earn a unique title. NC will share the return date by October 16.
- Launch Scale Test Coming Up
Dated 2026-08-27 (historical). Launch Scale Test of September 17-18, now past; it was wiped.
- Steam store app 3393110
Linked from the official teaser. This environment received a region-unavailable store error, so Steam copy was not independently read.
- Inven Global: AION 2 surpasses 400,000 concurrent players on Steam
5 October 2026. Cites SteamDB for a Steam peak of 397,905 on 5 October (UTC), excluding PURPLE, against 171,530 in Early Access. NC says the combined total with PURPLE passed 400,000.
- Inven Global: AION 2 enters top 5 most played games on Steam
6 October 2026. As of 7 October AION 2 ranked 3rd in Current Players and 5th in Daily Players on Steam's Most Played chart.