"Path of Exile 1 3.26 Development Paused Until Path of Exile 2 0.2.0 Release, Developer Apologizes"

Grinding Gear Games, the developer behind the beloved action RPG Path of Exile series, has issued an apology to the dedicated fans of the original game. The studio had to put the highly anticipated 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1 on hold until a critical update for Path of Exile 2 is released. Initially set for a late October release, then rescheduled for mid-February, the 3.26 update's delay comes as all resources are being funneled into resolving issues with Path of Exile 2. The last league release for Path of Exile 1 was the Settlers of Kalguur in July 2024.

In a heartfelt video message, Jonathan Rogers, the game director of Path of Exile 2 and a co-founder of Grinding Gear Games, explained the situation. The team from Path of Exile 1 was reassigned to help fine-tune Path of Exile 2's endgame before its early access launch in December. Rogers admitted that the team had been overly optimistic about their ability to juggle both projects simultaneously. "We were fooling ourselves," he confessed, highlighting the unforeseen challenges such as crashes and balance issues that plagued Path of Exile 2, leading to a further delay. Rogers emphasized the necessity of keeping the experienced developers focused on Path of Exile 2, stating, "How could I justify taking some of the most experienced developers we have off PoE2 when it’s on fire?"

The Path of Exile 1 team will remain dedicated to Path of Exile 2 until at least the 0.2.0 update is released, with Rogers unable to commit to a specific date for the 3.26 update. He expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging his misjudgment in pulling resources from Path of Exile 1. "Honestly, I should have predicted the fact that taking the Path of Exile 1 team off Path of Exile 1 would lead to this outcome," Rogers admitted. He stressed the studio's ongoing efforts to learn how to manage two games effectively and promised a solid plan for the future of Path of Exile 1's 3.26 update.

Path of Exile 2's early access launch on December 6, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S was a massive success, securing its place as the 15th most-played game on Steam ever. For those diving into Path of Exile 2, guides on choosing the right class, including early build guides for the Mercenary and Sorceress, are available. Additionally, resources on how to increase Spirit, engage in trading, and ascend in the game are provided to help players get started.