Grinding Gear Games is gearing up to launch Path of Exile 2 in its full version, 1.0, later this year. During a recent press event, game director Jonathan Rogers shared insights about the final early access patch, 0.5.0, titled “Return of the Ancients,” which is set for release at the end of May.
Rogers mentioned that the full release is planned for sometime after ExileCon, a convention happening in New Zealand in early November. Path of Exile 2 first entered early access in December 2024, and the anticipation is building for what comes next.
“This update focuses on the endgame, which is crucial for our launch,” Rogers explained. Players’ responses to the endgame features in this patch will play a significant role in determining the release schedule. If the feedback is positive, they hope to transition to 1.0 smoothly.
In a follow-up chat, I asked Rogers about the timeline for releasing the remaining campaign Acts. There are still two more acts to include, which would bring the total to six. Additionally, some character classes are still missing. Despite these concerns, Rogers sounded optimistic.
“We’ve been working on Acts 5 and 6 for a while now,” he said. “Most of the environment work for Act 5 is complete, and we just need to finalize the bosses and test everything.” However, some character classes may need to wait until after the main release.
“As long as it feels like a complete game, it’s not the end of the world,” – Jonathan Rogers
Currently, eight character classes are available: warrior, ranger, huntress, sorceress, mercenary, monk, druid, and witch. It’s expected that the Marauder, Duelist, Shadow, and Templar will be added later. Rogers emphasized that the key is to ensure the game feels complete, even if a couple of classes are missing at launch.
What might delay the 1.0 release is player feedback on the new endgame content. This update introduces major questlines and new Atlas areas, which are essential for shaping the gameplay experience. Rogers stated that while the studio can create new Acts reliably, it needs to ensure the endgame system is polished based on player reactions. “Even if our plan is for a year-end launch, we’ll keep improving the endgame until it’s right,” he added.
Since its early access launch, Path of Exile 2 has expanded significantly, incorporating new acts, classes, items, and skills. This growth has garnered attention on social media, where players express their excitement and hope for the game’s future. Following the upcoming patch on May 29, which will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X, fans are eager to see how the game evolves. Key decisions about post-launch updates will likely also emerge from community feedback.
Rogers’ cautious yet hopeful approach reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, where developers increasingly focus on player experiences to guide changes. As games become more complex, ensuring a quality endgame experience has never been more critical. For those interested in a deeper analysis of game development trends, check out [this report](https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/JerryBelchamber/20230720/397812/Player_Centric_Development_in_Gaming_The_Evolution.php) on the topic.
