Aion 2 Launch Scale Test in 6 Days: Pre-Download Sept 16, LST Sept 17-18, and What's Confirmed Since

The free Launch Scale Test runs September 17-18, with pre-download starting September 16. It is free for everyone and accessed through the Steam page, and it is the last public test before the October 5 global launch.

For server-capacity testing, participation not only helps NCsoft stress the infrastructure — it is also the real-world check of the QoL changes before they go live for the Season 1 launch.

Performance: DLSS 4.5 is already live in the game, and NVIDIA DLSS 5 is confirmed in development together with NC. Controllers are supported on PC, and the global build is PC-only for now (Steam + PURPLE launcher), with a console version in preparation after the global launch.

Economy: the dual subscription system was consolidated into a single $15/month membership, and Founder's Packs include a 30-day membership. Design: the global build has no daily or weekly content gates, smoothed item progression, and PvP as an option rather than a requirement.

The LST is a scale test first: it verifies server capacity and matchmaking under load. Expect queues, longer loading, and possible hotfixes during the window — the purpose is catching infrastructure issues, not polishing final balance.

It also runs the Korean-fielded mechanics and content structure that the global Season 1 will ship with, so treat the experience as a preview of the modified Season 1 rather than the final day-one state.

1. Pre-download on September 16 so you can start at the test's opening; 2. Check your GPU settings against the DLSS 4.5 baseline during the test — it is the launch performance target; 3. Controller users should confirm gamepad input works on their setup; 4. Expect the no-gates design: you can sample endgame-style content on your own schedule without daily stacks; 5. If you are considering the $15 membership, you can evaluate the features it covers during the test rather than guessing.

After the LST, Founder's Pack owners get advance access from September 30, and the free-to-play global launch follows on October 5 with a modified Season 1 — roughly a year of Korean content in reserve, then three-month seasons behind Korea.

If you are new, the site's Launch Scale Test preparation guide and the launch access routes guide cover the steps in detail — this countdown is the reminder that the moment to test your setup is now, not on launch day.