AION 2 Release Date, Free-to-Play Status & Taiwan Server Differences
AION 2's global Steam version launched on 5 October 2026 and is free to play, but it ships without Chinese. Here is how the Steam build differs from the Taiwan and Hong Kong PURPLE service, what the launch includes, and the PC requirements.
AION 2 is out, and the first thing to sort out is which version of it you are downloading. NCSoft runs a global Steam build and a separate Taiwan and Hong Kong service on PURPLE. They are not the same client, and only one of them has Chinese.
How this was checked
Release date, price, languages, platforms and system requirements come from Steam's official store API and the public store page, read on 9 November 2026. The pre-registration reward window comes from the official store description. Concurrent player figures come from third-party trackers and are labelled as such.
Release date
The global Steam version of AION 2 launched on 5 October 2026. It arrived as a full free-to-play release, not an Early Access build. Steam has carried the same date since launch.
Taiwan and Hong Kong are served separately through PURPLE. Treat any guide, patch note or event notice as belonging to one service until you confirm which one it names.
Free to play
AION 2 has no box price and no subscription. Steam lists it as Free To Play with In-App Purchases, which is the model most Korean MMORPGs use. You can install it, create a character and play without paying; cosmetics, convenience items and similar products sit behind the in-game store.
Because the game is free, there is no launch discount to wait for. The cost question is entirely about what you choose to buy later.
Steam build versus the Taiwan server
This is the part that search results tend to blur.
| Global Steam version | Taiwan / Hong Kong PURPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 5 October 2026 | Separate service, separate schedule |
| Platforms | PC (Windows) | PC and mobile |
| Chinese support | None | Traditional Chinese |
| Account | Steam | PURPLE |
| Who runs it | NCSoft | NCSoft, regional operation |
If you want Traditional Chinese, the Steam download will not give it to you. If you want to play with people on the Taiwan server, the Steam client will not put you there.
Languages
| Language | Interface | Full voice-over |
|---|---|---|
| English | Yes | Yes |
| Japanese | Yes | Yes |
| Korean | Yes | Yes |
| French | Yes | No |
| German | Yes | No |
| Spanish (Spain) | Yes | No |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Yes | No |
| Russian | Yes | No |
| Traditional Chinese | PURPLE service only | PURPLE service only |
Platforms
- Steam: PC with Windows only. No Mac or Linux build is listed.
- PURPLE: PC and mobile for Taiwan and Korea.
Steam also lists Multi-player, MMO, PvP, Online PvP, Co-op and Online Co-op, plus controller comfort options such as adjustable text size and colour alternatives.
PC requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 / 11, 64-bit | Windows 10 / 11, 64-bit |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel Core i5-10500 | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X / Intel Core i7-11700 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GTX 1050 Ti 4GB | RTX 2070 8GB |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
| Storage | 100 GB | 100 GB |
| Network | Broadband | Broadband |
Pre-registration rewards
NCSoft extended the pre-registration and Steam wishlist rewards to every player who creates an account and logs in before maintenance begins.
- Deadline to log in: 2 December 2026, 08:30 CET. That is 1 December, 23:30 Pacific, or 2 December, 15:30 in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
- Deadline to claim from mail: 9 December 2026, 08:30 CET. That is 8 December, 23:30 Pacific, or 9 December, 15:30 in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The rewards arrive in in-game mail. If you log in before the first deadline but never open the mail, the second deadline is the one that costs you the items.
What the launch includes
NCSoft's official description lists the following:
- A world 36 times larger than the original AION, built in Unreal Engine 5.
- Aerial combat as the core system, with altitude treated as an advantage rather than a travel mechanic.
- More than 200 dungeons across solo, five-player and ten-player formats.
- Seasonal challenges, competitive rankings and open-world events.
- The Abyss, which keeps PvE and faction war in the same space.
- More than 200 character customisation options, plus outfits, mounts and wings.
- The Shugo Festival, with mini-games such as protecting Shugos, pet racing and dodging lasers.
Launch reception and player numbers
Steam's public recommendation counter stood at 15,183 on 9 November 2026. Third-party trackers that log Steam's public playercount recorded a peak of 397,905 on launch day, 5 October, and 203,972 on 8 November. Valve does not publish these figures itself.
Two cautions apply. The Steam number covers the global Steam build, not the Taiwan PURPLE service. And Steam reviews for the global build were mixed at launch, which is a signal about that version and not necessarily about the Taiwan client.
What is still unconfirmed
- The full class list and which classes each race can play.
- The current level cap and the exact unlock schedule for endgame dungeons.
- Server names and population status for the Taiwan service.
- Whether any progress or purchases transfer between Steam and PURPLE.
NCSoft changes MMORPG systems often. Check the official patch notes for your own service before planning around a number.
Read next
- AION 2 hub: release facts, screenshots and the current guide list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did AION 2 launch?
The global Steam version launched on 5 October 2026. NCSoft runs Taiwan and Hong Kong through the PURPLE platform as a separate service.
Is AION 2 free to play?
Yes. Steam lists it as Free To Play with in-app purchases, so there is no box price or subscription.
Does AION 2 support Chinese?
The global Steam version does not. Its language list is English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Portuguese (Brazil) and Russian. Traditional Chinese is available on the Taiwan and Hong Kong PURPLE service instead.
Can I play the Taiwan server through Steam?
No. The Steam build and the Taiwan PURPLE service have separate clients, accounts and language support. Pick the service your friends use before you download.
What are the PC requirements?
Minimum is a Ryzen 5 2600 or i5-10500, 8 GB RAM and a GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Recommended is a Ryzen 7 3700X or i7-11700, 16 GB RAM and an RTX 2070 8GB. Both need 100 GB, and NCSoft recommends an SSD.
Is there a pre-registration reward deadline?
Yes. NCSoft says pre-registration and wishlist rewards are delivered to anyone who creates an account and logs in before maintenance starts on 2 December 2026, 08:30 CET. Claim them from in-game mail before 9 December 2026, 08:30 CET.