Will AION 2 Be Pay-to-Win? Our Prediction for AION 2

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After much anticipation, details about AION 2 were officially unveiled, causing a stir among players due to concerns that the game may lean heavily towards a ‘pay-to-win’ model.

The company responsible for creating and distributing this game, NCSoft, is known for its aggressive approach to earning money within their games. In the case of AION 2, it’s a follow-up to an original game that was supported by a subscription fee. After transitioning to a free-to-play model, AION saw an increase in its monetization strategies.

Let’s find out together what lies ahead for AION 2 in terms of its monetization strategy. We’re going to share our thoughts with you on this topic.

Our Prediction for AION 2 | Pay-To-Win or Not?

At this point, we’re yet to get our hands on AION 2, so the specifics of its monetization model remain uncertain.

It’s important to point out that AION 2, as previously mentioned, is a game created and distributed by NCSoft, the same company behind Lineage II M. This game, like Lineage II M, has a reputation for being Pay-to-Win (P2W). In such games, free-to-play (F2P) players often struggle to compete with those who have invested thousands of USD in the game. This is particularly evident when it comes to gear, which plays a crucial role in Player versus Player (PvP) battles.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that games like Throne & Liberty and the current version of AION have certain features that are often referred to as “pay-for-convenience”. While it’s technically possible to progress without spending a dime, the truth is that doing so requires an incredible investment of time. For instance, acquiring a specific gear setup can take months if you’re playing for free, whereas paying can significantly speed up the process. So, in essence, these games offer shortcuts for those willing to spend money, making progress more convenient, but not necessarily pay-to-win.

It’s important to mention that NCSoft has openly acknowledged the presence of Pay-to-Win (P2W) aspects in AION 2. Although they claim it won’t be as extreme as in Lineage II M and Lineage W, this revelation has caused concern among many players. This is significant because NCSoft typically doesn’t discuss P2W elements directly, so their confirmation sparked alarms for some.

The Playerbase Might Dictate the Monetization

Instead of saving the heaviest monetization tactics for popular games, it appears that NCSoft tends to apply such practices more extensively when their games have a smaller playerbase. For instance, a game like Lineage 2 M seems to be significantly more monetized than Throne & Liberty, both of which incorporate pay-to-win elements, due to the former having a smaller playerbase.

Given the significant buzz surrounding AION 2 following its unveiling, it’s reasonable to anticipate a substantial player base upon release. Consequently, NCSoft might consider being more accommodating towards Free-to-Play (F2P) players to maintain engagement over a longer period.

If the player base begins to decrease, it’s likely that they’ll increase the intensity of their pay-to-win strategies in the game. So, instead of wondering “if” the game will become pay-to-win, we might as well anticipate “when” this will happen.

In Conclusion

Thus far, the specifics about how AION 2 is planned to generate revenue remain unclear. However, considering NCSoft’s past monetization strategies, it’s reasonable to anticipate that there could be a significant influence of pay-to-win features in AION 2.

It’s quite probable that the release timing for the game will benefit Free-to-Play players, as discussed earlier. However, it’s also not difficult to foresee that monetization strategies might grow more assertive over time, which appears to be a pattern with NCSoft’s games.

In essence, it appears likely that AION 2 will incorporate a pay-to-win element, as the developers have already signaled this. However, we can only hope that the game remains enjoyable for free-to-play players, particularly those who are not interested in accessing the most challenging content.

Of course! If you’re curious about the types of classes available when the game launches, why not take a look at our comprehensive article that outlines the eight exciting options you’ll be able to choose from on day one?

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2025-06-04 04:07