Aion 2 Open Playtest Launches on PC: The MMO Clash Against WoW Forever
The servers just swung their doors open today, September 17, at 3:00 PM CEST sharp. If you were looking to experience the next evolution of Korean MMORPGs without spending a dime, this is your immediate window to jump in.
NCSoft has officially deployed its global Launch Scale Test (LST) on PC. This open playtest requires no invitation code or pre-order, accessible freely to all players on Steam and the PURPLE launcher.
Test schedule and access details
To stress-test server infrastructure under heavy concurrency, two focused play sessions have been scheduled:
- Session 1: Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM CEST
- Session 2: Friday, September 18, 2026 from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM CEST
On Steam, players can simply visit the store page and hit the "Request Access" button to begin downloading right away. Users on NCSoft's PURPLE platform can launch installation directly from their game library.
Level cap, classes, and true action combat
This technical test lets players progress up to level 37 across 8 distinct playable classes. Vertical gliding and aerial traversal are fully unlocked, setting the stage for intense PvPvE skirmishes throughout the Abyss.
The standout design choice is the complete absence of any auto-battle or mobile autoplay mechanics. The game delivers genuine, fast-paced action combat engineered specifically for keyboard and mouse precision.
Both the cash shop and player-to-player trading are deactivated throughout the test, and a complete character wipe will occur once the testing window wraps up.
Aion 2 vs WoW Forever: the late 2026 MMORPG clash
The timing of this test sets up a thrilling showdown for the genre heading into the final stretch of the year.
In one corner stands Aion 2 with Unreal Engine 5 visual fidelity, winged aerial battles, and rapid combo-driven action tailored for competitive players.
In the other corner, Blizzard pushes pure classic nostalgia with World of Warcraft Forever and its Classic+ design, bringing back 2004 tab-targeting, slow open-world leveling, and demanding 40-player raids.
These two titles represent radically different directions for online role-playing games, challenging veterans to choose between cutting-edge dynamism and old-school social depth.
Where to Find Aion 2 and World of Warcraft Deals
Whether you are securing Advanced Access for Aion 2 through a Founder's Pack or topping up your game time for World of Warcraft Forever, compare live prices from our partner Allkeyshop below:
Aion 2: Price Comparison & Editions
World of Warcraft: Game Time & Subscriptions
Launch roadmap and early access
Following this playtest, early access will open on September 30, 2026, for players who picked up founder packs.
The global Free-to-Play launch lands on October 5, 2026, on PC, claiming an essential spot on our video game release calendar.
With only a few hours of server uptime available across both sessions, now is the moment to test the combat system and see how the aerial mechanics feel firsthand.
How to Join the World of Warcraft Forever Beta Tonight
If you want to step back into Azeroth right away, here are all the essential access details confirmed by Blizzard:
- Launch Time: Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM PDT / 7:00 PM CEST.
- Beta Schedule: Running from September 17 through October 21, 2026 for Phase 1.
- Level Cap: Capped at Level 30 featuring overhauled Vanilla talent trees with breakpoints at 11, 16, 21, and 31 points.
- Access Requirements: Guaranteed access for players who pre-purchased the Heroic Edition, Epic Edition, or the physical "20 Years of Azeroth" Collector's Edition. Rolling beta invitations are also sent to active World of Warcraft subscribers via Battle.net.
- Client Download: Accessible directly through the Battle.net launcher under World of Warcraft > Game Version > WoW Forever Beta.
SEO consultant for over 20 years and digital entrepreneur, Charles 'Grimtag' Ronchain is the founder of Pro-Gamer.gg, Retrocharting.com, and Gamescharting.com. A competitive gamer, streamer, and retro game collector, he has worked in the video game industry for over 15 years, notably as a consultant for leading price comparison platforms. Passionate about real-time performance data and gaming technology, he analyzes competitive esports, gaming hardware benchmarks, and creator workflows on Pro-Gamer.gg with an authentic player perspective.
