Applies to AION 2 Steam/PURPLE Global. Players choosing a launcher are not choosing separate game worlds. NC’s Launch FAQ says the Global service uses the same servers and in-game content for both Steam and PURPLE, but an important account distinction still applies.
Playing on Steam versus accessing one character everywhere
You can start AION 2 on Steam without first linking a PURPLE account. Account linking matters if you want to open the same character and progress through both launchers later. Simply having access to the same server infrastructure does not merge two unrelated accounts or their inventories.
For players arranging a group, there are three separate decisions: global region, game server and launcher. Only the last is addressed by shared Steam/PURPLE support; choosing different game servers may still interfere with meeting friends.
Your Korea or Taiwan progress stays separate
The FAQ also confirms that existing progress on Korean and Taiwanese servers does not carry into Global. Launcher linking cannot be used as a workaround for differences between regional services. Do not assume an older KR/TW character will reappear when you install the Global PC client.
The useful preparation is to identify the account holding your intended global character, decide whether using two launchers matters, and follow NC’s current account-support guidance if a link or sign-in causes trouble. This article describes published policy, not an announced merger or transfer service.
Sources: NC’s Launch FAQ in official Steam news (September 30, 2026); AION 2 Steam store.
Independent reporting, not a notice from NC or its live-service team.