Prerelease

Prerelease Info and Previous Updates

The road to the October 5 launch: the Global reveal, Founder's Packs, the Launch Scale Test, pre-download and Early Access. It is all over now, so this is the record.
Global reveal
Apr 21, 2026
Launch Scale Test
Sept 17 and 18
Pre-download
Sept 28
Early Access
Sept 30

Checked October 17, 2026

AION 2 Prerelease Timeline

Date (2026)What Happened
Apr 21Global release on Steam and PURPLE announced, wishlist and newsletter open
Jun 5Fresh trailer shown at Summer Game Fest
Jul 8Global website, Pre-release FAQ and the business model letter go up
Jul 22Founder's Packs go on sale
Aug 2130-day Membership added to every Founder's Pack
Aug 25Gamescom reveals the October 5 date and the Launch Scale Test
Sept 16Launch Scale Test pre-download
Sept 17 and 18Launch Scale Test
Sept 28Pre-download for Early Access opens
Sept 30Early Access for Founder's Pack owners
Oct 5Global launch

AION 2 Launch Scale Test Release Date

Held on September 17 and 18, 2026

StagePDTCEST
Pre-downloadSept 16, 6:00 AM to Sept 17, 6:00 AMSept 16, 15:00 to Sept 17, 15:00
Day 1Sept 17, 6:00 AM to 12:00 PMSept 17, 15:00 to 21:00
Day 2Sept 18, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PMSept 18, 21:00 to Sept 19, 03:00

How to Join the Launch Scale Test

Steam and PURPLE Access

Open to all

No keys, invites or sign-up list. Anyone on Steam or PURPLE could hop in.

Steam Playtest app

Steam used a separate Playtest app. Afterward you had to remove it and get the full game for Early Access.

PURPLE

PURPLE players had nothing extra to do after the test.

Launch Scale Test Progression

Day 1 to Day 2Your character carried over between the two test days.
After the testEverything was wiped after Day 2. Nothing moved to Early Access or launch.
Level cap 37Max level was 37, so higher level content was off limits.
Shop and tradingNo purchases, no Market, no Quna exchange and no player trades.
Closet and Founder's itemsDefault outfits only. Founder's Pack items were off too.
Play time6 hours a day, 12 hours in total.

How to Pre-Register for AION 2

Pre-registration is overBefore launch you could join the newsletter and wishlist on Steam. The game is out, so there is nothing left to sign up for.
The rewards are for everyoneNC now mails the pre-registration and wishlist gifts to every account that logs in before the Dec 1 (PST) maintenance.

Pre-Registration Bonuses

Pagati Pet and a Bonus Pet of Choice

  1. Pet: PagatiPet: PagatiEveryone gets it
  2. Soul: PapisPapisOr pick this one
  3. Soul: Silver Blade RotanSilver Blade RotanOr pick this one
  4. Soul: Konutin WorkerKonutin WorkerOr pick this one
  5. Soul: Black Smoke MuruteBlack Smoke MuruteOr pick this one

Steam Wishlist Chest

ItemAmount
Resurrection Spiritstone (Bound)10
Life PotionLife Potion (Bound)100
Healing PotionHealing Potion (Bound)50
Return ScrollReturn Scroll (Bound)50
Courage ScrollCourage Scroll (Bound)50
Speed ScrollSpeed Scroll (Bound)50
Benediction ScrollBenediction Scroll (Bound)50

Both chests come by in-game mail. Claim them before the Dec 8 (PST) maintenance.

When to Preload AION 2

Preload Date: September 28

Encrypted files

The early download stayed locked until Early Access began.

Decrypted on September 30

The client decrypted the files on launch day. That is not a reinstall.

Speed depends on your PC

Decryption time changed from one computer to the next.

How to Preload AION 2

  1. 1

    Buy a Founder's Pack on Steam or PURPLE, since Early Access needed one.

  2. 2

    Download the game in your launcher ahead of time.

  3. 3

    Let the client decrypt the files on September 30.

  4. 4

    Log in as soon as the Early Access servers open.

AION 2 Preload Download Size

SizeAmount
Download today (Steam)About 88 GB
Installed (Steam)About 90 GB
Free space NC asks for100 GB, SSD recommended
AION 2 System RequirementsMinimum and recommended PC specs

Founder's Pack Early Access

Standard$24.99
  • 5 days of Early Access
  • 30-day Special Quai Membership
  • Title: Vanguard of Atreia
  • Daeva's Campaign Supply Chest
Deluxe$49.99
  • Everything in Standard
  • Ascended Daeva armor skin
  • Eternal Sun weapon skin
Ultimate$99.99
  • Everything in Deluxe
  • Moonlit Aria armor skin
  • Pet: Black Dragon
  • Blazing Sun Wings
  • Daeva's Styling Chest

Sales ended October 5 at 8:00 AM PDT. Pack cosmetics now work on all of your characters.

Founder's PacksFull contents and the all-character cosmetics changeAION 2 Release Date and TimeEarly Access and launch times in every time zone

AION 2 Prerelease FAQ

Can I still play the Launch Scale Test?

No. It ran September 17 and 18, 2026, and every character from it was wiped.

Did Launch Scale Test progress carry over?

No. Nothing from the test moved to Early Access or to the full launch.

Can I still get the pre-registration rewards?

Yes. Every account that logs in before the December 1 (PST) maintenance gets the Pet Chest and Wishlist Chest by mail.

How big is the AION 2 download?

About 88 GB to download and about 90 GB installed on the current Steam build. NC asks for 100 GB of free space and an SSD.

AION 2 Release Date and TimeGlobal launch Oct 5, 2026: times by time zone and Early Access dates.AION 2 Founder's Packs and BonusesStandard, Deluxe and Ultimate: contents, prices and cosmetics on every character.AION 2 Events: Current and UpcomingHalloween, Abyss Rift Stone deal, launch rewards and community contests.System RequirementsPC specs, file size and languagesPet Guide: Which Pet to Choose and How to Get PetsWhich free pet to pick, how to farm Souls, and where special pets come from.