The long-awaited launch of Aion 2 in South Korea and Taiwan quickly shifted from excitement to controversy.
Only 24 hours after the game went live on November 19, NCSoft held an emergency livestream to address a wave of negative feedback related to server instability, monetization issues, and concerns that the PC version felt like a mobile-first adaptation.
A troubled first day
Aion 2 was marketed as a next-generation sequel powered by Unreal Engine 5, with a focus on fair gameplay and modern design.
However, launch day was marked by long queues—some exceeding 30,000 players—as well as frequent connection failures and unstable server performance.
The game’s monetization also drew immediate criticism.
Players discovered that important progression items such as Combat Enhancement Scrolls and Soul Books were being sold through Quna, the premium paid currency, contradicting pre-launch expectations of a non–pay-to-win business model.
PC players expressed frustration with the interface and controls, describing them as heavily influenced by mobile design.
Common complaints included simplified UI elements, clunky auto-pathing, and mechanics that didn’t translate well to keyboard and mouse.
NCSoft addresses the backlash
In response to the mounting criticism and a rapid surge of negative reviews, NCSoft organized an emergency broadcast featuring members of its business and development teams.
During the livestream, the developers apologized for the technical problems and acknowledged the concerns surrounding monetization.
The team admitted that certain items placed in the premium shop were a misjudgment and stated that they intended to take immediate action to correct it.
Emergency roadmap: immediate changes
NCSoft released a short-term recovery plan with several key adjustments aimed at rebuilding player trust and stabilizing the game.
1. Monetization overhaul
- Removal of controversial items: Combat Enhancement Scrolls and Soul Books will be removed from the Quna cash shop.
- Free compensation: All players will receive a set of enhancement items through in-game mail as an apology.
2. Improvements to gameplay and progression
- Assist Mode for mobile: A semi-automatic combat option will be added to help mobile players trigger abilities more smoothly, without turning Aion 2 into a fully automated idle game.
- Reduced grind: Monster kill requirements for several quests will be decreased by roughly 50%, improving the leveling experience.
- Balance updates: Support-oriented classes such as Guardian and Healer will receive damage buffs to make early-game solo play more feasible.
Market reaction and community concerns
The launch issues have also had an impact beyond the playerbase.
Following the controversy, NCSoft’s stock price experienced a noticeable drop, reflecting investor concerns around the game’s initial performance and monetization approach.
Within the community, reactions are mixed.
Some players appreciate the quick response and transparent communication, while others remain skeptical and believe the problems run deeper than the fixes announced so far.
Global release implications
For now, these issues are limited to the Korean and Taiwanese versions, but global players are paying close attention.
With the international release planned for late 2026, this turbulent launch essentially serves as a large-scale public beta for the global version.
If NCSoft successfully stabilizes the servers and reworks the monetization system, the global release could benefit from these early corrections.
If not, Aion 2’s troubled debut may become a warning sign for players worldwide.
One thing is clear: NCSoft has significant work ahead, and only time will tell whether the company can regain player confidence before Aion 2 expands to the global market.
