03 · Timeline
AION 2 release date
When did AION 2 come out? The game launched as a free-to-play title on Steam worldwide on October 5, 2026 — and set NC's all-time Steam record on day one.
AION 2 release date timeline
The October 5, 2026 Steam release matters beyond the date itself: it moved AION 2 to a free-to-play model on the world's largest PC store, opening the gates to anyone with a Steam account. Within 24 hours the game had set NC's all-time Steam concurrency record, and the momentum carried through launch weekend.
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Oct 5, 2026
01Global free-to-play launch on Steam
AION 2 opened worldwide on Steam as a free-to-play title (Steam release date: Oct 5, 2026).
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Oct 5, 2026
02397,905 peak concurrent players
Day-one peak on Steam — an all-time record for publisher NC, per SteamDB figures cited in press coverage.
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Oct 6, 2026
03NC confirms 400,000+ concurrent players
The publisher announced the game had surpassed 400,000 Steam concurrent players across its first weekend.
Earlier launches
AION 2 had earlier regional rollouts before the global Steam release. Those dates are being verified against primary sources and will be added to this timeline — we only list dates we can check.
AION 2 release date FAQ
- When did AION 2 come out?
- AION 2 launched as a free-to-play title on Steam worldwide on October 5, 2026. Earlier regional rollouts predate the global Steam release; those dates are listed once verified against primary sources.
- Is AION 2 free to play?
- Yes. The Steam release is free-to-play (the store listing marks it as Free To Play), with the game monetizing through in-game purchases instead of a box price or subscription.
- How successful was the AION 2 launch?
- Very: 397,905 peak concurrent Steam players on day one — an all-time record for publisher NC — and an official announcement of 400,000+ concurrent players the next day.