NC has announced a massive overhaul to its monetization and quality-of-life updates for Aion 2. During the 'Aion 2 Summer Festa Showcase' on June 14, Business Division Head So In-seop and Development PD Kim Nam-jun took the stage to detail not only the upcoming Chapter 1 content but also a suite of user-friendly tweaks. The goal, they claim, is to ensure the game’s longevity and create a more inviting environment for the player base.

First up, the membership system is getting a serious trim. The current 'Sandlebaram', 'Chengarung', and 'Shugo Express' memberships are being scrapped in favour of a single, unified 'Kwairing' membership priced at 25,000 KRW. 'We spent a lot of time weighing short-term numbers against the need to build a ladder that welcomes more players,' So noted. For those with existing subscriptions, your remaining time will be automatically extended based on the price ratio. Furthermore, the billing cycle is shifting from 28 days to 30 to align with the weekly update cadence. New subscribers get a dedicated pass, and the included 2-day extension vouchers help bridge the gap to that 30-day target.

In a move that should please the fashion-conscious, all costumes and pets will now be shared across characters within the same server. Players who previously purchased these items separately on different characters will receive coupons to acquire new costumes for free. Additionally, a 'pet magnet' feature—which activates functions regardless of the pet equipped—is being introduced as a time-limited service costing Kinah. 'I know I previously promised we would never introduce this,' So admitted, 'but we are doing so now to ensure long-term stability.'

Beyond that, the game is ditching restrictive elements like dungeon Od energy caps and boss kill limits. The intent is to let players roam freely without feeling like they’re racing against a clock or missing out on gains. To help fresh and returning faces settle in, a 'Sprout Badge' system is being added; if you run a dungeon with these players, you’ll earn bonus shared Od energy. These changes are set to go live on July 1, taking into account the time needed to burn through existing resources.

Character progression and combat ceilings are also getting a shake-up. The attack power cap, long cited as a bottleneck, is being lifted, with other restrictions set to follow. To level the playing field, the team is adjusting passive skills to narrow the combat power gap between classes and weapons, with balance tweaks launching on June 17. As for the Abyss content, rewards for the Resonance War and boss encounters will shift to a class-based individual ranking system starting July 1, and the supply of tradeable medals will be increased to address current shortages.

Finally, the quality-of-life improvements continue with the launch of the new 'Power Fist' class, accompanied by an increase in character slots to five. The long-awaited server transfer system is slated for July 15, following a period of stability post-Chapter 1 update on July 1. For now, it will only support moves within the same faction, excluding inter-faction transfers.

So concluded the showcase with a candid remark: 'We have deliberated extensively, and even if it means taking a hit right now, we are making these significant changes to benefit the game in the long run. Given how vocal our players have been, I believe they will appreciate this direction.'