AION 2 Launches in Early Access with Server Delays; Global Release Set for October 5

AION 2, NC's free-to-play MMORPG that launched in South Korea and Taiwan in November 2025, entered early access on September 30 ahead of its global PC release on October 5. The early access window was meant to open at 13:00 UTC, but server strain forced the team to delay the launch three times: first to 13:30 UTC, then to 14:00 UTC, before the game finally stabilized online.

Despite the rocky start, AION 2 surged to the number-one spot on Steam's top sellers list as players jumped in to explore the massive open world. By the time stability returned, around 171,180 concurrent users were playing. The server issues triggered mostly negative reviews from early access players who could not access the game at the advertised time.

NC appears to have underestimated the player load during the early access window. The team worked through the issues and brought the servers online, but the initial delay left a mark on user sentiment. As the servers stabilized, player counts swelled and sentiment is expected to shift once the full global launch arrives.

To play during early access, players must purchase one of three Founder's Pack tiers available on Steam and through NC's Purple launcher. The entry-level Standard Founder's Pack costs $24.99, the Deluxe Founder's Pack is $49.99, and the top-tier Ultimate Founder's Pack is $99.99. Early access runs through October 4, one day before the full global launch.

AION 2 will be free to play when it launches globally on October 5. The game will also feature an optional premium subscription model, which historically creates opportunities for Twitch Drops, promo codes, and in-game giveaways during the launch period. Players interested in special events and promotions can follow the official AION 2 Discord server and Twitter profile for announcements.

The global launch times for October 5 have been locked in, though NC has noted that maintenance may require adjustments in the coming days as servers continue to face strain during the early access phase.