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The Stream Team: Helping stress out Aion 2
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie will be streaming Aion 2 to help stress test its servers. The article highlights the gorgeous world of Aion 2, which is reportedly 36 times larger than the original Aion, and expresses excitement for exploring it.
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.
Aion 2 is holding a ‘launch scale’ open stress test that anyone can hop in to this Thursday and Friday
NC America is holding an open stress test for the upcoming MMORPG Aion 2 on September 17th and 18th. Players can join by installing the game via Steam or NCsoft's Purple launcher without needing registration or keys. The test aims to evaluate server stability at a "launch scale" with a level cap of 37, though character progression will be saved between test days.
Lineage II calls its ReLIVE servers a fresh start opportunity for new and veteran players
NCsoft is launching a new ReLIVE server for Lineage II on September 15th, aiming to provide a fresh start for both new and returning players. The server will feature a refreshed Giran town, original music, and various in-game events and boosts to celebrate its opening.
Multiplayer gacha OARPG Limit Zero Breakers begins its ‘frontier test’
NCsoft and Vic Game Studios' multiplayer gacha action RPG, Limit Zero Breakers, has begun its 'frontier test' which runs until Sunday, September 13th. This test includes the third chapter of the story, six raid battles, and a roster of 12 characters, alongside improvements to gameplay systems. The game is slated for release next year on PC and mobile.
Cinder City confirms a roster of five characters, monetization model, and upcoming test plans
NCsoft's post-apocalyptic shooter MMO, Cinder City, will launch with five characters and a box price model, supplemented by a cosmetics shop and battle passes. Upcoming testing includes pre-alpha for EU, South America, and Asia, followed by alpha in Q4 and beta. The game is slated for a PC launch first, with consoles to follow, and crossplay status is undecided.
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.
Aion 2 confirms time-delayed content from the Korean launch and a lack of crossplay
Aion 2's global launch will include quality-of-life improvements made since its South Korean release but will not feature all content added over the past year. The game will not support crossplay between PC and planned console versions, and the mobile version will not be included. Developers aim to balance PvP interactions to be more optional.
Lineage II announces plans to launch another server ‘with its own identity and ecosystem’ September 15
Lineage II is launching a new server on September 15th, which will feature the same content as the Live server but with a unique identity and ecosystem. This new server will include a significantly higher virtual equipment point limit and a special XP buff to accelerate player progression.
Betawatch: ArcheAge Chronicles plans a network test for next weekend
ArcheAge Chronicles is planning a network test for September 12th, continuing its development journey. The article also rounds up other MMO news, including updates on Guild Wars 3, Farhaven, and Aion 2, alongside a lengthy list of games currently in various stages of testing and development.
StarCraft 3 rumors resurface as new report claims Nexon and IP owner Blizzard are nearly ready to finalize a deal
Rumors suggest that Nexon is close to finalizing a deal with Blizzard Entertainment to acquire the development rights for the StarCraft franchise, potentially leading to the creation of StarCraft 3. The report indicates that Nexon has already begun work on a hypothetical StarCraft sequel, separate from Blizzard's own internal efforts.
Aion 2 confirms that its global launch will not be arriving with an Oceania server
Aion 2's global launch on October 5th will not include dedicated Oceania servers, disappointing players in Australia and New Zealand. NCsoft confirmed that the Taiwanese version will support English, but players in Oceania may experience lag. Servers will be available in North America, South America, Europe, and Japan.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 578: Gamescoming and Gamesgoing
The Massively OP Podcast episode 578 covers Gamescom announcements, including launch dates for Aion 2 and Path of Exile 2, and future content plans for Dune: Awakening. The hosts also discuss the shutdown of another WoW Classic server, Guild Wars 3's Asura, Star Citizen's delays, and Star Wars Galaxies hacking drama.
Dungeon Runners Reborn rogue server goes into open alpha 17 years after the MMO sunsetted
Dungeon Runners Reborn, a rogue server project aiming to revive the defunct MMO Dungeon Runners, has entered an open alpha state 17 years after the original game's sunset. The development team has spent years reverse-engineering the original server backend and is now seeking an official license from NCsoft.
MMO Week in Review: Gamescom, Asura, and Ascension
Gamescom was the dominant event this week, bringing news for numerous MMOs including launch dates for Aion 2 and Path of Exile 2, and trailers for Dune Awakening, Sea of Remnants, and Cinder City. Star Citizen's Squadron 42 received another delay into 2027, while Guild Wars 3 revealed its Asura, and Blizzard shut down another World of Warcraft private server. Other news included updates for Throne and Liberty, Ultima Online, and The Division 2, alongside discussions on game design, AI training lawsuits, and the shutdown of the Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator.
Betawatch: Aion 2 plans October global debut, Guild Wars 3 reveals gremlins
Several games are nearing their global launches or entering new testing phases. Aion 2 is set for a worldwide debut on October 5th, while Path of Exile 2 will officially launch out of early access in December. Guild Wars 3 has revealed more about its gremlin-like Asura characters, and Squadron 42 has been delayed again, now targeting 2027.
Throne and Liberty’s abbreviated August update adds Snowsoul Weapons and new achievements in Nix
Throne and Liberty's latest August update introduces Snowsoul Weapons, a new tier of equipment above Ascended Archboss Weapons, and new achievements within the Nix region. While the major Colossus Vegamor update has been delayed to September due to Amazon's publishing arm restructuring, this interim patch also removes some older Nix achievements as it modifies the area's mechanics.
Gamescom 2026: NCsoft’s trailers for multiplayer Like or Die and Cinder City
NCsoft revealed new trailers for its upcoming multiplayer titles Like or Die and Cinder City at Gamescom's Opening Night Live. Like or Die, formerly Project Bonfire, is a team-based survival shooter where players act as streamers, utilizing a 'Block Action' system to reshape the battlefield. Cinder City, which recently had a pre-alpha test, is set in a 21st-century world invaded by aliens, with its new trailer showcasing different character perspectives.
Gamescom 2026: Aion 2 makes its global debut October 5 following stress test and headstart
NCsoft announced that the MMORPG Aion 2 will launch globally on October 5 for PC. Prior to the official release, the game will undergo a 'Launch Scale Test' from September 17-18, followed by Early Access for Founder's Pack owners starting September 30.
NCsoft’s anime OARPG Limit Zero Breakers opens signups for September ‘Frontier’ closed beta
NCsoft is opening signups for the second closed beta test, dubbed the 'Frontier Test,' for its anime-inspired action RPG, Limit Zero Breakers. The test will feature expanded content including new story chapters, raids, and characters, along with gameplay improvements based on player feedback. The beta will be available on PC via Steam and for Android devices, with signups beginning soon.