Grinding Gear Games (GGG), the developer behind the beloved Path of Exile series, has issued an apology to fans of the original game after announcing that the eagerly awaited 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1 has been delayed. Initially slated for a late October release before the launch of Path of Exile 2, and then rescheduled for mid-February, the update's rollout has been postponed indefinitely due to ongoing issues with Path of Exile 2.
In a candid video message, Jonathan Rogers, game director of Path of Exile 2 and co-founder of GGG, explained the decision. Originally, the studio had planned to maintain a steady stream of updates for Path of Exile 1, even after the release of Path of Exile 2. However, the complexity and challenges faced in preparing Path of Exile 2's endgame for its December launch necessitated the reassignment of the Path of Exile 1 team to address critical issues. Despite hopes of returning the team to work on the 3.26 update in time for a mid-February release, it became clear that the timeline was unrealistic.
"We were fooling ourselves," Rogers admitted, highlighting the severity of Path of Exile 2's problems, including crashes and balance issues. The situation left no room for pulling experienced developers away from Path of Exile 2, especially as it was set to launch on December 6, 2024, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The launch proved to be a massive success, with Path of Exile 2 becoming the 15th most-played game on Steam ever.
Rogers expressed regret over the impact on Path of Exile 1 fans, acknowledging that the decision to shift the team's focus should have been foreseen. "I’m really sorry for how this went down," he stated, admitting the studio's overconfidence in managing the development of two games simultaneously. He emphasized that GGG is still learning how to effectively run both games and is committed to delivering the 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1, though no specific release date can be promised until after Path of Exile 2's 0.2.0 update is shipped.
For fans eager to dive into Path of Exile 2, GGG offers detailed guides on class selection, including early build guides for the Mercenary and Sorceress classes, as well as tips on how to maximize Spirit, engage in trading, and ascend within the game. The studio remains dedicated to supporting both titles and improving its operational structure to meet the expectations of its community.
