NCSOFT will officially launch the new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Aion 2 on the 19th. It is the first sequel in 17 years, succeeding Aion, NCSOFT's flagship intellectual property (IP) that launched in 2008 and ranked No. 1 in PC bang usage for 160 weeks. Attention is on whether Aion 2 will become a hit and lead a rebound in NCSOFT's results.
NCSOFT said on the 18th that it will simultaneously launch Aion 2 in Korea and Taiwan at midnight on the 19th. Aion 2 is a new MMORPG developed with the goal of being the "complete form of Aion." Over the past seven years, more than 300 developers have been involved. Aion 2 features high-quality graphics based on Unreal Engine 5, manual combat with late hit detection, extensive player versus environment (PvE) content, and character customization (personalized service) support.
NCSOFT is staking everything on the success of Aion 2. The company participated as the main sponsor at G-Star, the nation's largest game exhibition held from the 13th to the 16th, and operated a 100-seat demo booth for Aion 2. The on-site response was enthusiastic. As visitors flocked to try Aion 2, queues of more than four hours formed at peak times.
The industry is watching to see whether Aion 2 can help NCSOFT reverse momentum. NCSOFT's operating loss in the third quarter was 7.5 billion won, with the deficit widening from a year earlier, and revenue fell 10% in the same period to 360 billion won. With mobile game revenue down and recent new releases falling short of expectations, results were weak. The company has said it will target the global market by launching three new titles led by Aion 2.
Aion 2 executive producer Baek Seung-uk said, "Aion 2 is a complete world that embodies all the ideals the original dreamed of, where you can walk, fly, and swim to explore endlessly everywhere your eyes can see," adding, "We hope you will join us on your first journey to become a Daeva in Aion 2."
Aion 2 can be pre-installed through NC's game platform PURPLE. Gameplay will be available from 12 a.m. on the 19th.