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Betawatch: Aion 2 outlines head start plans as Guild Wars 3 outlines its story premise
NCsoft has detailed head start plans for Aion 2, which is slated for a global launch in September 2026. Guild Wars 3 has also outlined its story premise, with a beta expected in fall 2027. The article also provides an extensive list of other MMORPGs currently in various stages of testing and development.
MMO Jukebox Song of the Week: ‘Rotgut the Bloated’ from Dungeon Runners
This article highlights 'Rotgut the Bloated,' an epic monster theme from the defunct MMOARPG Dungeon Runners, as the 'Song of the Week.' The author fondly remembers the game's satirical humor and wild soundtrack, emphasizing the role of music in connecting players to their gaming memories.
Massively Overthinking: Which MMOs are a lot more popular than most people realize?
This article discusses the phenomenon of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) that are significantly more popular than mainstream perception suggests. Games like Elder Scrolls Online, Albion Online, RuneScape, and Guild Wars 2 are highlighted for their substantial revenue and player bases, despite often being overlooked by general gaming media. The discussion also touches upon the separate fanbases of Eastern MMORPGs and the tendency for some players to underestimate the continued success of established titles like World of Warcraft.
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.
Aion 2’s founder’s packs go on sale – here’s how much they cost and what they offer
NCsoft has launched founder's packs for the upcoming MMORPG Aion 2, offering early access and in-game bonuses. The packs are available in standard, deluxe, and ultimate tiers, priced at $25, $45, and $100 respectively. While a specific release date is not yet confirmed, the full launch is anticipated for September.
Here’s how Aion 2’s five-day head start will work, from servers to auction houses to party play
NCsoft has detailed the early access system for Aion 2, which grants a five-day head start to founder's pack buyers. The game will feature separate early access and launch servers, with potential for server transfers and cross-server party play for dungeons and PvP. Two auction houses will be available: one server-specific and one cross-server market that will open post-launch.
Vague Patch Notes: Long-term content vs. short-term content in MMORPGs
This analysis explores the distinction between short-term and long-term content in MMORPGs, using examples from Final Fantasy XIV, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Warframe. It argues that both types of content are crucial for player engagement and game longevity, with short-term content providing immediate experiences and long-term content offering sustained engagement.
NEOWIZ Appoints Chris Chung as Head of Global Business Group
NEOWIZ has appointed industry veteran Chris Chung as the Head of its Global Business Group to bolster its international publishing efforts. Chung brings extensive experience from companies like Wargaming and NCSOFT, where he managed global franchises and operations. This appointment is part of a larger company reorganization aimed at strengthening NEOWIZ's competitiveness and partnerships with developers worldwide.
MMO Week in Review: 213
Microsoft's significant layoffs have heavily impacted the Elder Scrolls Online live team, reducing its size to that of 2015-2018. This week also saw Warframe's TennoCon, Aion 2 previewing its monetization, Tencent acquiring the PlanetSide franchise, Star Trek Online launching Undiscovered, and Gamigo porting Fiesta Online to consoles.
Lineage II launches class tweaks, new zones, and the server wars for its multiple versions
Lineage II has released significant updates across its five versions, introducing 'server wars' focused on PvE challenges in the Citadel of Darkness hunting zone. These updates include class tweaks, new zones, item updates, and raid adjustments, with specific content tailored for Aden, Wolf, Samurai, Live, and Classic servers. NCsoft also provided a summary video and promised more active development for Classic and new content for Live.
5 Live Service Games to Quit in 2026 | TAG
This article provides a framework for players to quit live service games they no longer enjoy, arguing that obligation and FOMO should not dictate continued play. It identifies five specific games—Destiny 2, Diablo 4 seasonal, Warframe, Lost Ark, and older MMOs—as candidates for quitting in 2026, and offers a step-by-step guide to breaking free from the cycle of retention-engineered gameplay.
NCsoft is making Lineage II’s servers compete against each other for rewards in next week’s summer update
NCsoft is launching a new summer update for its veteran MMORPG, Lineage II, on July 14th. The update introduces the 'Server War: Dimension Clash' event, where servers will compete against each other by completing specific in-game content to earn server war points. These points will determine server rankings and unlock rewards, including cosmetic changes to the Town of Aden and improved chances for enhanced boss battles.
Aion 2 releases monetization plan with optional $15 sub, battle pass, cash shop, and founder packs
NCsoft has detailed the monetization strategy for the global edition of Aion 2, set to launch this fall as a free-to-play title. The plan includes an optional $15 monthly subscription, battle passes, a cash shop primarily for cosmetics and consumables, and founder packs. The game will feature two currencies, Kina earned through gameplay and Quna as the premium currency, with an exchange system similar to Guild Wars 2.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group
Several key personnel changes have occurred across the gaming industry. Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group, Dylan Beale is the new studio head at Larian Guildford, and Jonnie Bryant becomes communications director at Team17. Other notable moves include Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games and Nicholas Penwarden departing Epic Games after 15 years.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
This article rounds up recent hires and departures within the games industry for July 2026. Notable moves include Joe Ziegler leaving Bungie's Marathon team, Chris Chung joining Neowiz, and Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games. Several other companies announced new appointments across marketing, production, and business development roles.
Seoul-set MMO shooter Cinder City halves its RAM requirements, after initial specs listed 64GB of memory
The upcoming MMO shooter Cinder City has significantly reduced its RAM requirements on its Steam page, dropping from a recommended 64GB to 32GB. Publisher NC has not yet provided clarification on the system specifications, which are considered placeholders by the author due to the game's lack of a release window and other spec inconsistencies.
Perfect Ten: The 10 worst problems in the MMORPG community that we could probably fix
This opinion piece identifies ten fixable problems within the MMORPG community, ranging from nostalgic revisionism about past game experiences to issues with player entitlement and antisocial behavior. It argues for greater honesty, acceptance of change, and a focus on constructive community engagement to improve the overall player experience.
Cinder City Developer Preview Showcases New Gameplay, The Cinderknights, and Much more
BigFire and NCSoft have released a new gameplay preview for Cinder City, a dystopian action RPG set in Seoul. Players control Seven, a Cinderknight searching for his daughter amidst mutant monsters and the criminal organization Hyde. The game, built with Unreal Engine 5, is slated for a PC launch in the second half of 2026 and will feature NVIDIA-supported features.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.