Aion 2 To Launch Globally in the Second Half of 2026, Monetization Promised To Be Less Aggressive Than Throne and Liberty

NCSoft has confirmed that Aion 2 will launch globally in the second half of 2026, according to information revealed in its Q3 2025 quarterly report. The news was first highlighted by MassivelyOP. While the global release will take some time, the MMORPG is set to debut in South Korea and Taiwan next week for both PC and mobile platforms.

Aion 2 is a direct sequel to the 2009 MMORPG classic, taking place roughly two centuries after the events of the original game. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the new entry expands the world significantly, with NCSoft estimating the playable space at around one thousand two hundred square kilometers. Players will explore diverse environments such as frontier settlements, icy mountain regions, riverside territories, and abandoned scientific facilities.

The game retains one of the most defining features of Aion: full flight. Players can once again glide and engage in aerial combat, enabling large scale three dimensional battles. Aion 2 will launch with eight classes, more than two hundred dungeons spanning solo and cooperative content, and a broad selection of PvP modes. These include large scale Elyos versus Asmodian faction warfare alongside competitive arenas such as one versus one, four versus four, and eight versus eight. Housing and various life-sim systems are also returning.

Notably, NCSoft acknowledged during its investor call that Aion 2’s monetization will be “less aggressive” than Throne and Liberty. The company stated this shift should help “secure a bigger userbase” and address criticisms surrounding its recent releases. As previously confirmed, Aion 2 will support NVIDIA DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation at launch, enabling higher performance through AI assisted graphics scaling.

NCSoft is preparing a major release year in 2026, with several flagship titles joining Aion 2. These include Cinder City, Limit Zero Breakers, and Time Takers. Cinder City, which we covered at Gamescom 2025, is an open world third person shooter incorporating MMO elements and is planned for PC and consoles. The project has garnered attention for its stylized visuals and seamless multiplayer structure.

Limit Zero Breakers, developed by VIC Game Studios, is a free to play, anime inspired cooperative action RPG arriving on PC through Steam and mobile platforms. Players take on the roles of Breakers, adventurers traversing a fractured world aboard a massive airship as they search for the legendary Library of the Gods. Combat emphasizes flashy abilities and teamwork as players battle towering monsters within ancient dungeons.

Time Takers is another upcoming third person multiplayer title set to arrive on PC through Steam and consoles. The game introduces Time Energy as a resource that can be spent on reviving allies, upgrading abilities, and influencing the flow of battle.

Perhaps the most anticipated project in NCSoft’s future lineup is the title rumored to be revealed tomorrow at G Star 2025. Speculation points toward the long rumored Horizon MMO, first reported several years ago. Earlier claims suggested it had been canceled, but new indications imply the project may still be alive and poised for an official announcement.

With multiple large scale releases planned, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for NCSoft as it aims to reestablish itself with new IPs, major sequels, and more player friendly monetization strategies.

Are you excited for Aion 2’s return to a flight based MMORPG world, or are you more interested in NCSoft’s new IP lineup for 2026? Share your thoughts below.