Ahead of the opening of ChinaJoy 2026, NC and Shengqu Games held a strategic partnership signing ceremony for the Chinese launch of Aion 2 at the Shanghai Tower Garden Ballroom on July 30.

Aion 2, the sequel to one of NC's flagship IPs, Aion, was released in South Korea and Taiwan on November 19, 2025. It has been well-received by users for its stunning graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5, highly flexible customization, exploration, and the thrill of spectacular action and large-scale battles. Building on this success, the company has announced a global launch for the second half of the year and has begun formal steps to enter the Chinese market in partnership with Shengqu Games.

Shengqu Games has been the partner responsible for servicing Aion in China since 2009, maintaining stable operations through a deep understanding of the IP. Following their collaboration on the co-development and Chinese publishing of Aion Mobile—which received its license on July 22, 2026—the company has now been tapped to handle the Chinese publishing for Aion 2.

The signing ceremony was attended by NC CEO Kim Taek-jin and Shengqu Games CEO Feng Cheng, along with other key executives from both companies. CEO Kim expressed his gratitude to CEO Feng and Shengqu Games, stating, "Thanks to the long-standing interest and love from Chinese users, Aion has grown into a beloved MMORPG and remains a special title in the memories of many. Our long-time partner, Shengqu Games, has been with us throughout that journey of success."

Regarding Aion 2, he explained, "We wanted to provide users with a vast world where they can explore anywhere they wish—sky, land, or water—along with an overwhelming combat experience. We aim to show a new generation of users the true joy of adventure and growth that only a MMORPG can offer." Emphasizing that the sequel realizes the ideals of its predecessor with even greater perfection, he added, "We will open a new era together with our Chinese fans, continuing the long-standing bond that began with Aion. We will do our utmost to ensure Aion 2 creates new value in the Chinese MMORPG market and becomes a title that is remembered for a long time."

Shengqu Games CEO Feng Cheng noted, "This year marks the 17th anniversary of Aion's service in China," reflecting on the path the game has traveled. Recalling 2009, when Aion entered the Chinese PC MMO market amidst a fierce competition of masterpieces, CEO Feng stated, "Aion boasted industry-leading quality in both graphic presentation and large-scale faction combat design. At the time, people asked if users' computers could even handle such high-quality graphics. However, Aion sparked a PC upgrade craze, proving that a great game ultimately goes hand-in-hand with a better environment."

Seventeen years later, the market has shifted from PC online to mobile. CEO Feng acknowledged this trend, noting the massive time and cost required for development and the significant market risks involved. However, he emphasized that the user demand for high-quality games remains unchanged, and the shared philosophy between Shengqu Games and NC—that 'great games are worth long-term investment, and excellent IPs require long-term operation and management'—has never wavered. He added that under this shared belief, they have maintained their partnership for 17 years, achieving over 100 million Aion users in China, and have breathed new life into the IP for long-term success through the co-development of 'Aion Mobile.'

Furthermore, he praised NC for its tenacity as a developer that has led the MMORPG field for a long time without being swayed by fleeting trends. He emphasized that Aion 2, created with this craftsmanship, is the result of a comprehensive innovation of a classic IP, combining NC's deep understanding of MMORPGs with next-generation engine technology. He also highlighted the game's performance since its November 19 release, noting an average of 1.5 million daily active users and revenue exceeding ₩100 billion in just 46 days.

Finally, he promised full-scale support from the upcoming ChinaJoy on the 31st through to the launch of Aion 2. Emphasizing that "a true masterpiece must be matched by corresponding power," CEO Feng concluded his presentation by quoting a poem by Li Bai: "The Peng bird rises with the wind, soaring ninety thousand miles high on the whirlwind."

Meanwhile, alongside the signing of this strategic partnership, Shengqu Games began promoting the game in earnest by projecting Aion 2 imagery onto the entire Golden Bund building, just as they did for Aion in 2009. Additionally, they plan to introduce Aion Mobile and Aion 2 to local users at ChinaJoy 2026, which will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from the 31st to August 3rd.