Aion 2’s worldwide release is days away, and the game is already making noise on Steam. The MMO has hit the number-one spot on Steam’s Top Sellers list, and its early access founders’ packs have outsold several major recent releases by revenue. That combination suggests the game might be bigger than anyone expected.
The story starts with a simple chart: Aion 2’s founders’ packs have made more revenue than EA FC 27, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, and Gears of War: E-Day this week. The cheapest pack costs £18.49 and comes with a stack of in-game cosmetics and consumables. Players who want to jump into early access have to buy their way in, and they have been doing it at a rate that puts Aion 2 near the top of Steam’s revenue rankings.
Early Access Packs Outsell Major Releases
The revenue comparison is the headline. Aion 2’s founders’ packs have outpaced three major titles across the board, and the numbers show it clearly. The game’s approach is straightforward: pay to enter early access, get a pack of items, and join the servers before the free-to-play era begins. That model is working.
The comparison shows the scale of the achievement. Aion 2 is not just holding its own against these releases; it is beating them by revenue this week.
Player Numbers Already Soar
The other chart tells a different story. Aion 2 sits at number nine on Steam’s Most Played chart, above Delta Force and Delta Lock but not quite pushing past big hitters like PUBG, Apex Legends, and Wardogs. That is a solid position for a game still locked behind a paid entry barrier, and it suggests the player base is large enough to sustain momentum once the free-to-play era begins.
The gap between Aion 2 and the big hitters is small, but it is real. PUBG, Apex Legends, and Wardogs each occupy spots ahead of Aion 2 on the chart.
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Steam Top Sellers | Number one |
| Steam Most Played | Number nine |
What the Game Actually Plays Like
The game is a typical MMORPG with some interesting twists and quirks that set it apart from its peers. The combat sits between the traditional tab-target approach and a more action-oriented focus you’d see from Black Desert Online. There are plenty of collectables to gather, over 1,100 achievements to collect, and a mix of PvP and PvE events.
Flying around, collecting pets through killing enemies out in the world, and building up a character is a lot of fun. The character creator allows players to make a tiny freaky man. It is good, even if it is not yet ready for a full critical review.
A Long Legacy Carries Forward
Eurogamer reviewed the original Aion in 2009, in which Oli Welsh came away impressed by what was an incredibly popular Korean MMO back in the day. That legacy carries forward into Aion 2, which is attempting to keep that momentum alive.
“It’s through these founders’ packs that Aion has outsold other major recent releases.”
The quote comes from the report itself, and it captures the core of the situation. Early access revenue is driving the conversation, and the player count backs it up.
What Happens Next
The game becomes open to non-founders a few days from now, and it becomes free to play. That is the moment the player count will likely spike. The current numbers are impressive, but they are limited to players who bought into early access. Once the floodgates open, the ranks on Steam’s Most Played chart could move.
Aion 2 has already proven it can compete with major releases by revenue. Whether it can hold its own by player count remains to be seen. The early signs are strong, and the game’s trajectory points up.
The next few days will tell the full story.
Source material: “Aion 2's imminent worldwide release could be huge as early access founders' packs outsell major games, and player numbers soar,” Eurogamer.
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