AION 2 to Launch Globally in 2026 with DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation, NVIDIA Confirms
The long-awaited MMORPG AION 2 is set for a global launch in 2026, with DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation support for the PC version, NVIDIA has confirmed. The title, developed by NCSOFT, will also be released on mobile platforms.
The game’s initial rollout in South Korea and Taiwan is scheduled for November 19, marking the start of a new era for the franchise that began with Aion: The Tower of Eternity in 2008. The original game, built on Crytek’s CRYENGINE, became a cornerstone of MMORPG history for its fluid aerial combat and large-scale PvP battles. In contrast, AION 2 is being developed with Unreal Engine 5, enabling a leap forward in both scale and visual fidelity.
Set two hundred years after the events of the first game, AION 2 introduces a world that NCSOFT claims is 36 times larger than that of the original. One of the biggest improvements is its seamless open-world structure, removing the “zoned” areas and loading screens that defined older MMORPGs. Players will explore uninterrupted environments that include plains, mountains, cities, and massive airborne zones, all powered by Unreal Engine 5’s advanced rendering capabilities.
Players will again choose between the Elyos and Asmodian factions, whose eternal war now unfolds differently. Instead of coexisting on the same servers, each faction will inhabit its own separate server, with large-scale PvP battles taking place exclusively in The Abyss, a shared battleground where both factions can meet in open conflict.
The developers have confirmed over 200 dungeons at launch, offering content for solo adventurers and groups of up to eight players. The game will feature eight playable classes:
Gladiator
Templar
Assassin
Marksman
Sorcerer
Spiritmaster
Cleric
Chanter
NVIDIA revealed the new technical details during the GeForce Gamer Festival held at COEX in Seoul, celebrating 25 years of GeForce in South Korea. The event showcased AION 2 as one of its featured playable titles alongside NCSOFT’s MMOTPS Cinder City, highlighting the growing partnership between NCSOFT and NVIDIA.
The inclusion of DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation promises smoother gameplay and sharper visuals at higher frame rates on PC. The technology dynamically renders frames using AI, improving responsiveness and visual clarity without compromising performance, an important factor for large-scale MMORPGs with hundreds of simultaneous players on screen.
Alongside the AION 2 announcement, NVIDIA also shared an update from KRAFTON on PUBG Ally, the AI-driven “co-playable character” first introduced at CES 2025. Powered by the Mistral-Nemo-Minitron-8B-128k small language model, PUBG Ally allows players to interact with AI teammates capable of assisting in combat, strategy, and communication. KRAFTON confirmed that a user test event will take place early next year.
With its combination of Unreal Engine 5, DLSS 4 support, and NVIDIA-backed optimization, AION 2 looks set to deliver one of the most technically ambitious MMORPG experiences of the next generation. The global release in 2026 will mark a major milestone both for fans of the franchise and for the MMORPG genre as a whole.
Are you excited to see AION 2 return with cutting-edge visuals and DLSS 4 support, or do you think the genre still has challenges to overcome in a modern gaming landscape?
