LAUNCH SCALE TEST
Aion 2 Launch Scale Test: September 17–18 — Everything Announced
On August 26, NCSoft announced a Launch Scale Test (LST) for Aion 2 running September 17–18 — the last large-scale rehearsal before the September 30 early access and October 5 free-to-play launch. The test is open to everyone: no keys, no invites, no registration. This report breaks down the exact schedule, what the test includes and excludes, and what you need to do before and after.
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The Exact Schedule
Pre-download opens September 16: from 6:00 AM PDT (15:00 CEST) all the way to September 17, 6:00 AM PDT (15:00 CEST) — a full 24-hour window to install the test client.
Day 1 is September 17, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT (15:00–21:00 CEST). Day 2 is September 18, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM PDT (21:00 September 18 to 03:00 CEST September 19).
Play time is capped at six hours per day (12 hours total). In Japan Standard Time the same windows are 22:00 JST for Day 1 and 04:00–10:00 JST for Day 2, as confirmed on the global official site.
How to Join
No keys, invites, or registration list: the LST is open to everyone on both platforms — Steam and the PURPLE launcher.
On Steam, access is through the Playtest app (store.steampowered.com/app/4972320), with the client pre-downloadable from September 16.
After the test ends, Steam players must uninstall the Playtest app and download AION 2 separately for Advanced Access on September 30. PURPLE players need to do nothing extra.
What's In the Test
Characters can reach a maximum level of 37, which means all content gated above that level is out of reach during the test — the focus is server load and the opening experience, not endgame.
The environment includes the game's signature open-world structure: flight combat, faction warfare, and large-scale battles shown in the new batch of trailers.
Progression carries over from Day 1 to Day 2 within the test. Everything is wiped at the end of Day 2 — nothing transfers to Advanced Access or the October 5 launch.
What's Turned Off
No purchases of any kind: the Shop, Quna, passes, memberships, and all payment portals are disabled.
The Marketplace, Quna exchange, and player-to-player trading are disabled, so the economy will not be tested during LST.
Founder's Pack items are not available, and the Closet is disabled — players use default outfits only during the test.
Why It Matters
An open, keyless scale test roughly three weeks before launch is a strong signal that NCSoft is treating the September 30 early access as the real launch and using LST as the load rehearsal — your feedback and server stress directly shape opening week.
For launch planning, treat LST as the best practice window: pre-download the client, tune your graphics settings, and confirm the game runs on your PC before Advanced Access.
Expect a wave of videos and build discussion around September 17–18; the site's PC performance guide is a good reference to pair with this test.
DATA SOURCES
Scope and update date
Check the applicable game service, last verification date, and original sources. Confirm live values and availability in game.
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Based on the official Steam announcement 'Launch Scale Test Coming Up' (August 26), the AION 2 global official site, and 80 Level's August 27 coverage of the announcement and new trailer.