Although Aion 2 is free, many players reach for their wallets and subscribe to the MMORPG. The reasons for this are tragic.
How is Aion 2 doing? While Aion 2 generated about 58 million euros in revenue from its release on November 19 until the end of 2025, the MMORPG has generated the same amount again from January 1, 2026, to February 9, 2026. The momentum for the MMORPG seems to be continuing.
On the contrary: According to new information, the number of subscribers has increased even further. As Jeuxonline reports, there should now be 1.5 million subscribers to Aion 2. It is unclear whether this number refers to accounts or subscriptions, as Aion 2 offers multiple subscriptions that can be taken out simultaneously.
Here you can see a trailer for Aion 2:
Free2Play with limitations
Why are players paying for Aion 2? The new MMORPG currently has extreme limitations imposed on Free2Play players in its Asian form. They are only allowed to trade very limited amounts, loot dungeons infrequently, and have less time in the PvP area Abyss, leading to slower progress.
The necessary upgrade materials for their own equipment can be obtained most quickly through the Battlepass of Aion 2. While there is a Basic version available for free, the Premium track yields more materials.
Anyone who wants to experience Aion 2 at the same level as other players will ideally need both subscriptions: one for trading and the other for progress in dungeons and PvP. Adding the Battlepass can cost about 47 € per month.
Of course, the exact motives of each individual cannot be predicted. However, it is clear that the monetization of Aion 2 has rightly been criticized in the West since its release, while players in Asia still spend a lot of money on the MMORPG.
Is all of this necessary? Aion 2 currently hides no content behind a paywall. You can see every dungeon, raid, and the PvP areas without spending any money on the MMORPG. There are also guilds and players who consciously spend nothing and progress through the MMORPG at their own pace.
However, looking at the number of 1.5 million subscribers makes it clear that many players have at least subscribed to gain advantages in Aion 2. The limitations around trading can indeed be annoying.
The monetization is one of the things that will likely change with the global release of Aion 2. For many in the West, the amounts being charged in Asia for the subscriptions and the Battlepass are hard to fathom. This is also reflected here: MMORPG Aion 2 announces Battlepasses for 47 € for the new season, causing real outrage among fans
