The developers of Aion 2 have now revealed the payment model for the global version of Aion 2 in detail. Various points are immediately causing outrage among the MMORPG community.
What is the payment model of Aion 2? This is exactly what the NCSoft representatives have now revealed in detail for the global version of Aion 2. Here are the main points – on page 2 we provide more details:
- Aion 2 uses a Free2Play model, so you can download and play the MMORPG for free.
- Those who purchase a founder’s pack will receive some cosmetic items and consumables as well as 5 days of early access. The prices and exact contents of the founder’s packs have not yet been determined. There is still no release date.
- Aion 2 relies on the currency Kina (needed mainly for the marketplace) and the purchasable premium currency Quna (used for shop payments and the Battle Pass).
- The optional subscription costs 15 USD (there is no Euro price yet) and provides some gameplay bonuses along with access to the marketplace, exchange, and a special shop.
- On the marketplace, players trade their items, which they can buy and sell for Kina.
- Through the exchange, you can convert Kina to Quna and Quna to Kina.
- In an in-game shop, players should be able to buy cosmetic items such as clothing, wings, and pets, as well as (obtainable) consumables.
- There will be a Battle Pass with a free and a paid path. The Battle Pass counts for the character who purchased it, not for the entire account. Through the Battle Pass, you can earn cosmetics, upgrade materials, in-game currencies, and other items.
All in all, this likely means: The supposedly optional subscription is essentially a necessity for heavy players. Those who invest money in Quna can buy everything directly from the auction house, granting them a time advantage in character progression in PvE.
In all instanced PvP content, equipment is automatically raised to a comparable level. The Pay2Progress factor should not come into play there.
What we like: Those who earn enough Kina can exchange enough Quna through the exchange to pay for the Battle Pass, for example. However, we believe it should count for the entire account and not just for one character.
“If this is Pay2Win, then so is WoW Pay2Win”
How does the community react to the new information? Although the new payment model of Aion 2 is not as aggressive as the variant that went live in Asia last year, parts of the Western MMO community remain critical.
- joemeat summarizes it on Reddit : “Their business model: Yes. They have everything … free content, subscriptions, cash shop, Battle Pass …”
- BDO-Issue-Again writes on Reddit: “We just want a good MMO with a subscription, no cash shop, and regular expansions at a reasonable price. I don’t want another casino simulator with Pay2Win crap and artificial obstacles that can only be overcome with money.”
- MindlessLie30 is bothered on Reddit by another point: “I still don’t understand why you have to pay 15 dollars to trade with other people. The justification given is to ‘prevent bots,’ but from what I hear about the launch in Taiwan and Korea, there are still plenty of bots.”
- laz85 adds on Reddit: “That the Battle Pass is tied to a single character is the stinking cherry on top of this business model.”
- supapumped counters on Reddit: “If this is Pay2Win, then so is WoW Pay2Win.”
How do you evaluate the payment model for the global version of Aion 2? Do you find the model fair or would you like concrete changes? Let us know in the comments! If you want to get started in September, keep in mind that you should already take care of something now: You can secure the first special mounts for Aion 2 now
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