Aion 2: Subscriptions Optional, Not Required

Earlier this week, NCSoft Korea held an Aion 2 livestream, providing players with more information about the upcoming MMORPG. The livestream included details on character creation, a showcase of Chanter gameplay, and explanations of PvP, crafting, and other aspects of the game. Crucially, the developers also discussed the game’s monetization model.

I saw discussions about this earlier in the week. However, there seemed to be some disagreement on the accuracy of the details, so I decided to wait before posting – especially since I don’t speak Korean and am relying on translated information.

Initial reports about the game’s monetization were concerning. The information I’m referencing now appears less drastic than what I saw previously. According to a translation shared on Reddit, Aion 2 will utilize subscriptions.

Yes, plural. There will be monthly subscriptions, reportedly on a 28-day cycle. The lower-tier subscription is priced around $14, while the premium tier is approximately $20. The post doesn’t detail the specific benefits provided by each tier. However, it does state that a subscription is not required to play. It’s unclear if this means a limited trial, similar to Final Fantasy XIV, or if free-to-play players will need to purchase items that subscribers receive automatically. According to the Reddit user who shared the information, it’s definitely not a battle pass system.

In any case, we now have a clearer idea of the monetization plans. Of course, this could change before the game launches.

In other news from the stream, the developers discussed game features, including character creation, which apparently allows players to earn premium currency by sharing their character models online and having other players download them. PvP and PvE were also discussed, specifically in relation to gear. We learned that PvP gear can only be purchased with Abyss Points, and that the same gear is not required for PvE content. The developers also mentioned that dungeon loot can be traded within a group, but gear is bind-on-pickup.

Like the original Aion, crafting will be a significant feature, and all crafted items are tradable. Crafting will also provide access to best-in-slot PvP items.

A complete summary of the livestream is available on Reddit, and some comments offer further clarifications. If you have questions for the person who posted the summary, you can find it here.