Rank 3: Aion 2
Developer: NCSoft | Platform: PC (Mobile in Asia as well) | Release Period: global: September 2026 | Model: Free2Play | Votes in the MeinMMO poll: 350
The potentially next highlight release is set for MMORPG fans in September. Aion 2 is supposed to celebrate its global launch then, without content censorship and with a noticeably adjusted payment model compared to the version that was released last year in Asia.
Instead of 2 optional subscriptions and battle passes, there will only be one of each. The duration of the subscription will increase from 28 days to 30 days. The cap for dungeon tickets will be removed. Pets and skins will no longer be bought per character, but for the account. In all instantiated PvP content, the equipment of participants will be raised to a comparable level.
However, all of this does not make the monetization of Aion 2 unproblematic. Every ambitious MMORPG player must complete the subscription for nearly 15 US dollars, as it is linked to essential features such as player trading and access to the auction house. Moreover, the real money currency is also tied to the auction house, which can attract masses of bots and introduce a pay-to-win element to Atreia.
Due to this model alone, I am quite sure that Aion 2 will share the fate of games like Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty in the West: Many players will check it out at launch, then the numbers will drop very quickly, leaving only the hardcore fans to log in.
Despite this gloomy outlook, I am looking forward to the launch of Aion 2. The world looks great, flying is fun, and there is plenty of content for solo players and small groups. Moreover, it has become quite special when an established universe receives a new MMORPG. If a supposed leak is to be believed, it could actually kick off on September 16 or 17, 2026.
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