Grinding Gear Games Delays Path of Exile 1 Update to Prioritize Path of Exile 2
Grinding Gear Games (GGG), the developer of the immensely popular action RPG series Path of Exile, has issued an apology to its longtime fans of the original game. Due to the challenges faced with developing and launching Path of Exile 2, the release of the planned 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1 has been delayed further.
Initial Promises and Schedule Changes
Initially, GGG had committed to maintaining regular updates for Path of Exile 1 even as Path of Exile 2 entered its early access phase. The 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1 was initially set for late October, then moved to mid-February. However, current developments have again pushed this date back.
The last league in Path of Exile 1, Settlers of Kalguur, was released in July 2024, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next update.
Developer’s Explanation and Challenges
In a video message, Jonathan Rogers, director of Path of Exile 2 and co-founder of GGG, detailed the reasons behind the delay. The team reassigned developers from Path of Exile 1 to help finalize the endgame content for Path of Exile 2, scheduled for a December launch.
Rogers expressed that he and his team believed they could manage both projects simultaneously. However, the unforeseen complications, including crashes and balance issues with Path of Exile 2, made it necessary to reallocate resources.
Urgency and Resource Allocation
“How could I justify taking the most experienced developers off Path of Exile 2 when it’s on fire?” Rogers queried. Despite initial confidence, the team faced numerous challenges, leading to a delay in Path of Exile 2’s release by a few weeks.
“We were overconfident,” Rogers admitted, adding that the incident provided valuable lessons on managing multiple projects concurrently.
Future Plans and Timeline
The Path of Exile 1 team remains focused on the completion of Path of Exile 2, anticipated at version 0.2.0, with additional post-launch efforts expected. Rogers acknowledged, “Unfortunately, I just can’t promise a date right now,” as Path of Exile 2 is currently at version 0.1.1.
Rogers expressed sincere regret for the frustration caused, stating, “I’m really sorry for how this went down.” He admitted that he should have predicted the consequences of diverting resources from.Path of Exile 1 but believed that time would allow for a smooth transition.
“We still have a lot to learn about how to run two games simultaneously,” Rogers concluded. GGG has developed a solid plan for the 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1, assuming sufficient time and resources.
Path of Exile 2’s Success
The long-awaited early access launch of Path of Exile 2 finally occurred on December 6, 2024, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The game achieved significant success, ranking as the 15th most-played game on Steam.
Guides and Resources for New Players
For those eager to delve into Path of Exile 2, several guides are available to assist new players:
Additional Tips and Strategies
Additional resources to assist players include guides on:
Conclusion
While the delay in Path of Exile 1 updates may disappoint some fans, GGG’s commitment to delivering a high-quality experience for Path of Exile 2 is evident. Fans of both games can look forward to future content, with plans in place for future updates to Path of Exile 1.
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Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].