Key information
Western fans welcomed a return to Atreia as Aion 2 officially initiated its head start period on Steam for founder's pack purchasers, marking a new chapter for NCsoft following a low period for the MMORPG genre.
In update mechanics and content highlights, Guild Wars 2 introduced a Dismount Rush event rewarding players for avoiding mounts, alongside new raid challenge modes. Meanwhile, Final Fantasy XI expanded its free trial by elevating the level cap to 75 and lifting time restrictions.
Industry challenges also surfaced across the space, as ZeniMax navigated fallout from spring layoffs impacting Elder Scrolls Online developers. Additionally, Cold Iron Studios faced undisclosed staff reductions following mixed receptions to Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2.
Looking ahead, Lord of the Rings Online scheduled its Wolves of Mordor expansion for October 21, while EverQuest and EverQuest II outlined their upcoming seasonal additions for later in the year.
