MMOexp Insight: Did Aion 2 Season 2 Battle Pass Cross the Line—or Miss the Mark?

The Aion 2 community was recently thrown into another heated debate after the launch of Season 2, when players discovered that the game introduced three new battle passes totaling approximately $105. What followed was a familiar cycle for long-time MMO players: outrage, defense, apologies, and partial rollbacks.

At the center of the controversy is a question players have asked repeatedly since launch—was this an honest pricing mistake, with Aion 2 Kinah buy,or another deliberate test of how far monetization can be pushed?

The $105 Battle Pass Shock

When the Season 2 passes appeared, many players were stunned by the price tag. Defenders quickly argued that the passes could technically be obtained through in-game grinding, using currency conversion systems and trading mechanics that require active subscriptions.

Critics, however, pointed out that this argument ignores the reality of Aion 2's monetization structure:

Multiple layered currencies

Subscription requirements for basic trading

Non–1:1 premium currency purchases designed to leave leftovers

Battle pass progression tied to time-limited seasons

For many, this crossed the line from convenience monetization into pay-to-win territory, especially given the competitive nature of endgame content.

"It Was a Mistake" — Again

NCSoft responded with an emergency live broadcast, stating that the Season 2 pricing and duration were the result of an error. According to the developers:

Season 2 battle passes were priced incorrectly

The season duration was unintentionally shortened

Prices would be reverted to match Season 1

Full apologies were issued

The team emphasized that there were "no excuses" and acknowledged full responsibility.

But for much of the community, this explanation rang hollow.

A Pattern Players Can't Ignore

Veteran players quickly pointed out that this incident does not exist in isolation. Since before launch, Aion 2 followed a familiar pattern:

Public assurances that the game would not be pay-to-win

Launch-day monetization surprises that contradicted those promises

Player backlash and negative sentiment

Developer apologies and partial reversions

A repeat of the same behavior shortly afterward

Season 2 arrived barely one month after launch, making the "mistake" explanation even harder for players to accept. Many argue that this wasn't accidental at all—but rather intentional tolerance testing to see how much the community would accept before pushing back.

Shorter Seasons, Higher Prices

One of the most concerning revelations was that Season 2 initially featured:

Shorter battle pass duration than Season 1

Higher effective costs for completion

Increased pressure on players to spend or fall behind

This combination reinforced fears that Aion 2 is being structured primarily around whale spending, rather than long-term player trust.

While the developers ultimately reverted the changes, critics argue that reverting after backlash does not undo the intent behind the original design.

Apologies Without Change?

NCSoft has promised improved communication, earlier disclosure of monetization changes, and deeper reflection to prevent similar issues in the future. They also mentioned considering adjustments to subscription duration to compensate players for extended maintenance periods.

However, many players note that similar promises were made before, only for the same issues to reappear weeks later.

At this point, apologies alone are no longer enough for a skeptical player base.

The Bigger Picture: Who Is Aion 2 Really For?

Some defenders argue bluntly that Aion 2 Items is simply not designed for players unwilling or unable to spend heavily—a reality common in modern Korean MMORPGs.

And while that may be true, it raises a fundamental issue:

If the game is marketed globally as fair and cosmetic-only, but designed internally for high-spending whales, trust inevitably erodes.

Aion 2's monetization now stands as one of the most aggressive among recent MMOs, even by genre standards.

Final Thoughts

The Season 2 battle pass controversy didn't just upset players—it reinforced a growing belief that Aion 2's monetization strategy is intentional, iterative, and reactive, rather than accidental.

If players had stayed silent, few doubt the $105 pricing would have remained—and future seasons might have gone even further.

For now, the changes have been reverted. But whether NCSoft truly changes course, or simply waits before testing limits again, remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the community is watching closely.