NCSOFT conducted the long-awaited first online broadcasting according to its new MMORPG Aion 2. Three leading developers were told about the game: the head of the UK’s son, producer Kim June and the head of the business department with in the SOP. They shared new details and showed the first frames of the gameplay.
Atrea 200 years later
The events of Aion 2 transfer the players for two centuries ahead of the time of the original game, to the atrea that has undergone irreversible changes. The central cataclysm was the tragic destruction of the ion tower – an event called the descendants of the “last war”. This catastrophe has become the culmination of the conflict between the Eliites, Asmodians and the Balaure. The fall of the Iona tower destroyed the protective barrier, and the surviving higher gods, giving the last grains of their strength, erected the wall of light, which physically divided the territories of the Eliites and Asmodian, isolating them from each other. The guardians of the tower, Ciel and Israfel disappeared without a trace, and the five remaining higher gods disappeared, spent all their divine energy. As a result of these events, the outside world was under the oppression of the Balauers, where two powerful lords of the dragons, Ishtar and Pafnir, fire and shadow swallowed foet, sowing destruction.
Despite the initial concepts that assumed the absence of the Eliites and Asmodian, the developers eventually revised this decision. They itted that the RVR standing of these cults is an integral and key part of the Aion universe. However, in order to avoid the “demonization” of one of the parties and prevent the possible imbalance of fractions, the appearance of Asmodian was significantly redesigned. Now they have more attractive features, while maintaining their unique uniqueness – eyes blushing during the battle. Each faction will begin its way in updated, but familiar lands. And of course, the legendary abyss will again become the central arena for clashes and large -scale battles between the factions.
Game process and features
The developers say that Aion 2 is not just a sequel, namely the “full version” of the original game. They set themselves the goal of bringing to life all those ideas and mechanics that were impossible earlier due to technological restrictions. The game is created on the modern Unreal Engine 5 engine, which promises impressive graphics and detail. A priority platform for development is a PC, but there will be a mobile version, designed primarily to the gameplay outside the house and equipped with its own interface.
Players are waiting for a huge world, which will be 36 times higher than the size of the original Aion. The famous flights that have become the hallmark of the series will receive significant development. Now players will be able to freely soar in all corners of this immense world, without any previous restrictions. Moreover, the developers expand the freedom of movement, adding the opportunity to swim, dive and even fight under water.
The Aion 2 combat system does not use any automation and is fully built on manual control of the character. The authors are betting on the “taste of the battle” and the pleasure of direct management of their character. The battles will be held with an emphasis on positioning and tactical thinking, as well as with Non-Target elements. Particular attention is paid to the Back Hita system (attacks from the back), which will be critical for classes like a killer. The combat mechanics is based on the Post-Judgment system, which means that the result of the action is determined at the end of the animation, which gives the battles a modern pace and requires players of a quick reaction.
The conflict of fractions will remain Aion 2, but the Eliites and Asmodian will begin the game on different, individual servers. This decision is made to maintain the balance of forces between the parties. However, the isolation will not be complete: periodically the servers will “collide” with each other, opening the arena for large-scale intermer RVR retractions. The mechanics of “spatial faults” that allows many, which allows small groups to penetrate the territory of the enemy fraction for sabotage and local skirmishes will also be preserved.
All eight original classes familiar to veterans of the game will return to Aion 2. Their concept will be preserved, but at the same time finalized and developed to meet the modern requirements of MMORPG. Players will become available:
- The guard is a classic main tank armed with a shield and having powerful protective skills. The developers also seek to reduce the load on the guards in of the need for thorough knowledge of all tactics.
- Gladiator-plays the role of a sub-tank with an emphasis on vampirism and ao-adatias.
- The shooter is a long -range master.
- The killer – relies on secrecy, sudden attacks and critical attacks in the back of the enemy.
- The wizard is able to apply tremendous damage and effectively control opponents.
- The caster is a specialist in the call of elements, a master of solitary battle, using Debuffa in his arsenal like “fear”. An important improvement will be that control effects will not instantly be lost to the resulting damage.
- The healer is the main doctor of the group, who will also receive improved attacking abilities.
- The sorcerer is a universal class, combining healing and various enhancing skills.
Especially the developers emphasized that obtaining and improving skills will not be associated with a “gach” system, which is probably pleasant news for many players.
The character of the character, which in the original Aion was on top, in the sequel will be significantly expanded and deepened. Players will be offered more than two hundred different customizable parameters calling to make truly unique and unique characters. The opportunity to create heroes with non -standard body proportions will also return. An interesting innovation can be a special system that will allow players to engage in intra -game economic activity related to their talent to skillfully create unique look.
Fans of PVE content will have a huge number of activities. Aion 2 will offer more than two hundred different dungeons, designed both for a single age and for groups of four and eight people. The legendary dungeon “Temple of Fire” will return in an updated form, where players will again have to fight with the famous Boss Boss. The unique mechanics of the “stretching weapon”, which significantly increases the radius of the attack, will also not go anywhere and will become available not only for the weapons of close combat, but also for the distant one. For convenience, a group search system that works within all servers will be introduced, with the possibility of ing an already ing group. For beginners and those who want to calmly study the boss tactics and the location of the monsters in the dungeons will be proposed by Easy Mode. This regime includes separate awards and can be ed both alone and as part of the group.
Regarding sled animals and wings, which are an integral part of Aion aesthetics, the developers assured that they would not be part of paid monetization. Driving animals will allow you to get, collecting “souls” or special fragments from defeated monsters. Wings are also not supposed to be sold for real money.
In addition to the battles and research of the world, players will be able to relax and have fun in various casual mini-games scattered around the open world. Among them were shown obstacles, evasion of traps and collecting objects in steady mode.
Development philosophy and monetization
Aion 2 will be released on a PC and on mobile platforms. However, the developers noted that their approach is different from the development of other cross -platform games. First, any element for a PC version is created, and only then it is transferred and adapted for mobile platforms, and not vice versa.
Throughout the presentation, developers have repeatedly emphasized their main goal – to create “Aion Dreams”. This means not only the correction of shortcomings and errors of the original, but also the implementation of those ambitious ideas that were previously impossible due to technological restrictions. A special emphasis is on manual management of the character, the importance of the individual skill of the player and deep social interaction.
One of the most exciting questions for any player is a monetization model. So far, specific details are not disclosed, since the system is in the stage of active development. However, the head of the business department with the SOP tried to calm the audience, assuring that the team “does not strive for the business model that causes anxiety and fears among the players.” The producer Kim June also promised that detailed information about the monetization system will be presented to the community before the official launch of the game to ensure maximum transparency.
The following broadcast, FGT and release date
To receive from players and testing key mechanics, the first testing for focus group (FGT) is announced. You can apply from May 29 to June 12, 2025 through a special Google form. The names of the lucky ones will be declared on June 19, 2025 both on the official website and individually. The test itself will be held on June 28 and 29, 2025 at the office of NCSoft, located in Pango. Participants will receive a unique opportunity for about eight hours to try the system of customization of the characters, explore the PVE suburbs and other aspects of the game, as well as directly chat with developers and ask them their questions.
The broadcast Aion2 Night was only the first in the planned series. NCSOFT intends to continue to regularly inform players about the development progress, share new details and answer community questions. In addition, the developers reported that in the future they would pay attention to the confrontation between the fractions and the characteristics of each class.
Regarding the release date of Aion 2, it was not officially announced at the presentation. However, it was previously reported that the release of the game in South Korea and Taiwan is expected in the fourth 2025, and the global launch will take place closer to mid -2026.
Full broadcasting:
