Aion 2 Player Count: 400,000+ Peak at Launch and Current Steam Charts

The new MMORPG AION 2 made an impressive entrance onto the global scene, attracting more than 400,000 concurrent players shortly after its worldwide launch. At first glance, it may not seem surprising, since AION 2 is available for free on Steam and NC's PURPLE platform. The game quickly climbed the platform's most popular charts and reached the number-one position in multiple territories. But how many people are still playing AION 2? Its launch figures were impressive, although the player count has naturally evolved since October. Here is a look at its launch records, SteamDB statistics and current player activity as of November 5, 2026.

AION 2 launch: 400,000 concurrent players on day one

NC officially launched AION 2 globally on October 5, 2026. The worldwide release was preceded by an Early Access period that began on September 30, 2026. The game already boasted impressive numbers during that period, and it was a hit ahead of its official launch.

The response was immediate. On October 6, NC's announcement reported that AION 2 had attracted more than 400,000 concurrent players. This milestone established the game as one of the most notable MMORPG launches of 2026.

SteamDB provides a more precise picture of activity on Valve's platform. According to SteamDB's charts for AION 2, AION 2 reached an all-time peak of approximately 397,905 simultaneous Steam players on October 5, 2026. It is important to distinguish between the figures: SteamDB tracks activity through Steam, while NC also distributes the game through its proprietary PURPLE launcher. The Steam figure should therefore not be treated as a complete count of every player across both platforms.

Three Steam charts, 15 territories: the records

The success of AION 2 was not limited to its concurrent player count. NC confirmed that the game secured the number-one position across three Steam charts following its global launch:

• Global Top Sellers: AION 2 reached the top position in the revenue-based ranking.

• Popular New Releases: The MMORPG secured the number-one spot among new releases.

• Trending Free: The game also topped Steam's free-to-play trending chart.

The momentum had already started during Early Access. According to NC's October 6 announcement, AION 2 maintained the number-one position on Steam's Global Top Sellers chart and reached the top of the charts in 15 territories. These included Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The results demonstrated substantial international interest, particularly for a free-to-play MMORPG entering a competitive market.

Early Access vs full launch: a peak that more than doubled

AION 2's Early Access period began on September 30, 2026, offering players access through Founders Packs ahead of the worldwide free-to-play release.

According to SteamDB's historical player records, Early Access reached a peak of approximately 171,530 concurrent Steam players. Following the global launch on October 5, the all-time record increased to approximately 397,905. This means the full launch peak was more than twice the Early Access record.

The difference highlights how the worldwide free-to-play release expanded the game's reach beyond its initial audience. Removing the Founders Pack entry requirement and opening access to players across international markets helped AION 2 achieve a much larger simultaneous audience.

Where AION 2's player count stands now

The launch figures tell only part of the story. To understand the game's current popularity, it is worth looking at its latest SteamDB statistics. As of November 5, 2026, SteamDB reports the following figures for AION 2 (Steam App ID: 3393110):

Source: SteamDB, November 5, 2026, around 11:00 UTC. Live player counts fluctuate throughout the day.

The figures show that AION 2 continues to attract a substantial Steam audience several weeks after launch. Its latest 24-hour peak remains close to 194,000 concurrent players, although it is below the October launch record. The current player count represents Steam activity only. Players accessing the MMORPG through PURPLE are not included in SteamDB's concurrent-player counter.

AION 2 is free to play: how it fares against the competition

One of the biggest advantages of AION 2 is its free-to-play model. The global PC version launched without an upfront purchase requirement, allowing players to enter Atreia through either Steam or NC's PURPLE launcher. It competes in a different league than other big players in the genre. Its availability and novelty are its best selling points to maintain a healthy player base and compete with titles like Throne and Liberty. However, the arrival of important actors like World of Warcraft: Forever may draw the attention of a sizeable player base, not only from AION 2, but also from consolidated titles like Final Fantasy XIV. MMORPGs are immersive and time-consuming, so players usually commit to a single one. However, AION 2 will still remain as a free source of entertainment for those looking for a massive RPG experience that they can share with other players.

If you want to explore the game, visit our AION 2 game page for more information. Also, if you are looking for other alternatives, World of Warcraft (in any of its forms), Guild Wars 2, and Final Fantasy XIV are the biggest contenders in the genre, although you may want to pay to have access to all of their features. Remember to visit our comparator and check their official websites for free trials and additional information before you spend any money on them.