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Aion 2's hardest fight is coming back, bigger and better, after being pulled from the free MMORPG's launch
The Ludra raid in the free-to-play MMORPG Aion 2 is set to return on November 4th with redesigned mechanics and new attack patterns. The raid was initially removed shortly after launch due to being defeated too quickly, sparking discussions about potential pay-to-win elements. NC is implementing several in-game events and login bonuses to help players prepare for the relaunch.
Steam Week in Review: Steam Next Fest has over 8,000 demos, as worthless vibe coded slop levels up
Steam Next Fest features over 8,000 game demos, a significant increase from previous years, with many criticized as low-effort "vibe coded" creations. The article argues that AI tools, particularly Anthropic's Claude Opus, are enabling rapid cloning and decompilation, leading to a proliferation of unoriginal games and concerns about intellectual property theft, potentially harming independent developers.
Aion 2 unleashes a ban wave for bots and gold farming as the new MMORPG tackles "economy abuse"
NC has banned nearly 5,000 accounts in the new MMORPG Aion 2 for botting, gold farming, and other actions disrupting the game's economy. The developer is actively monitoring in-game activity to maintain balance, with normal play sessions unaffected by these measures.
New MMO Aion 2 soars on Steam with nearly 400,000 concurrent players despite "Mixed" reviews grilling AI slop…
Aion 2 has launched to significant popularity on Steam, attracting nearly 400,000 concurrent players on its first official day. Despite its strong player numbers and impressive visuals, the MMORPG has received "Mixed" reviews, with many players criticizing its pay-to-win mechanics and the developer NC's use of generative AI in asset creation.
AION 2 Launches Globally With Epic MMORPG Adventure | Invision Game Community
AION 2 has launched globally on PC via Steam and NC's PURPLE platform, offering a free-to-play MMORPG experience. Developed by NC (formerly NCSOFT), the game features extensive player freedom, aerial combat, and a world 36 times larger than its predecessor, set 200 years after the original AION. The game achieved the number one position on Steam's Global Top Sellers chart in multiple regions.
Riding high into its free-to-play launch, new MMORPG Aion 2 extends registration rewards as thanks for the support
NC's new MMORPG, Aion 2, is extending its pre-registration rewards to all players following a strong early access period and high Steam player counts. The game is launching free-to-play on October 5th, and the developer is also addressing an issue with Founder's Pack cosmetics being limited to a single character.
Aion 2's imminent worldwide release could be huge as early access founders' packs outsell major games, and player numbers soar
Aion 2 is set for a worldwide release soon, following its launch in Korea and Taiwan a year ago. The game has achieved significant success on Steam, topping the Top Sellers list with its founders' packs outselling major recent releases by revenue. Player numbers are also high, with the game ranking ninth on the Most Played chart, and it is expected to climb further upon its free-to-play open launch.
AION 2 Launch Scale Test Begins September 17 | Invision Game Community
NC (formerly NCSOFT) will host a two-day Launch Scale Test for AION 2 on September 17 and 18, allowing players to test servers and infrastructure before the game's full launch. The test is open to everyone, with pre-download available from September 16. Progress made during the test will not carry over to Founder's Pack Early Access or the full release.
Lineage II to Launch First New Live Server in More Than a Decade | Invision Game Community
NC (formerly NCSOFT) announced that Lineage II will launch a new Live server on September 15, the first in over a decade. This new server aims to provide a fresh start for both new and returning players of the 22-year-old MMORPG. Pre-registration is open, offering rewards and a 500% EXP boost to encourage player progression.
The highlights of Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 showcased a variety of new titles and updates, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's free remaster and upcoming expansion stealing the spotlight. The event also featured reveals for Nodusfall, Final Fantasy 7: Revelation, Metro 2039, and numerous other games from both established and emerging studios, highlighting a strong international presence. Host Geoff Keighley acknowledged the industry's current challenges, including layoffs and hardware price increases, while celebrating developers' continued innovation.
LIMIT ZERO BREAKERS Announces Second Closed Beta Test for PC and Mobile | Invision Game Community
NC and VIC GAME STUDIOS have announced the second closed beta test, named the "Frontier Test," for their upcoming anime-inspired action RPG, LIMIT ZERO BREAKERS. The five-day test will run from September 9 to September 13 on PC via Steam and mobile devices (Android and iOS), featuring new story content, raids, characters, and gameplay improvements based on player feedback.
Amazon Will Soon Be Out Of The MMO Business Entirely
Amazon Game Studios is exiting the massively multiplayer online (MMO) business entirely, handing over Western operations of "Throne and Liberty" and "Lost Ark" back to their original developers, NC and Smilegate, respectively. This move follows the earlier shutdown announcement for their own MMO, "New World," and the cancellation of a "Lord of the Rings" MMO. Amazon had previously published and operated these live-service titles in the West.
Amazon to rescind its publisher role on Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty by early 2027
Amazon Game Studios will cease its publishing roles for the MMOs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty by early 2027, returning them to their respective developers, Smilegate and NC. This transition marks a shift for Amazon away from third-party MMO publishing as they focus on other ventures like Amazon Luna and first-party development.
Amazon hands off Throne and Liberty to NC, seemingly ending its MMO era
Amazon Game Studios is handing over the reins of its MMORPG Throne and Liberty to developer FirstSpark Games and publisher NC, marking a potential end to Amazon's involvement in the MMO genre. The transition is expected to be seamless for players, with all progress and items remaining intact. This move follows the struggles of other Amazon-published MMOs like New World and Blue Protocol.
MMORPG Throne and Liberty transitions from Amazon Game Studios to NC (formerly NCSoft)
NC (formerly NCSoft) will take over global publishing duties for the MMORPG Throne and Liberty from Amazon Game Studios, aiming to consolidate it into a single online service by Q4 2026. FirstSpark Games, an NC subsidiary, is collaborating with Amazon on the transition, ensuring player accounts and assets remain unchanged across platforms like Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. NC stated this move allows them to directly support the game and shape its future.
Statistically, your PC probably doesn't come close to the recommended RAM requirement for this third-person…
The upcoming third-person shooter Cinder City will hold a pre-alpha playtest for US-based players aged 16 and over from August 14-16, requiring participants to sign an NDA. While an initial high RAM requirement of 64GB was corrected to a still substantial 32GB minimum, the developer NC and publisher Big Fire Games state that final system requirements may be lower due to ongoing optimization efforts.
NC's tactical shooter, Cinder City, is running its first-ever playtest
NC is holding its first-ever pre-alpha playtest for its tactical shooter, Cinder City, in North America from August 14-16. The game is set in a near-future, post-apocalyptic Seoul and blends horror, sci-fi, and traditional FPS mechanics. Participants must be 16 years or older and located in North America.
AION 2 Founder's Packs Include Advance Access
NC, formerly known as NCSOFT, has announced that AION 2 Founder's Packs are now available on Steam. The upcoming free-to-play MMORPG sequel will offer players five days of early access through these packs.
NC AMERICA TO RELEASE LINEAGE II COLLECTOR’S EDITION VINYL CELEBRATING 22ND ANNIVERSARY
NC America is releasing a collector's edition vinyl titled "Lineage II - 22 Years" to celebrate the MMORPG's 22nd anniversary. The album features 40 selected tracks from the original soundtrack, composed by Bill Brown, Jamie Christopherson, Inon Zur, and NCSOUND, and is available for pre-order with a worldwide release in November. The vinyl aims to provide a reflective musical journey through the game's iconic history.
Cinder City reviderar krav på 64 GB RAM – kräver nu bara 32 GB
Big Fire Games has revised the system requirements for their upcoming PvE open-world game, Cinder City. Initially listed with a demanding 64 GB of RAM, the developer has clarified that only 32 GB is now recommended, though this is still higher than the typical 16 GB for new releases. The recommended graphics card has also been upgraded from an RTX 4060 to an RTX 4070.
