Path of Exile 1 Update Delayed Due to Path of Exile 2 Issues
Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has issued an apology to Path of Exile (PoE) 1 players for the indefinite delay of the 3.26 update. The update, initially slated for late October 2024, then mid-February 2025, has been postponed due to the unexpected challenges encountered with the launch of Path of Exile 2.
GGG had previously committed to continued updates for PoE 1 even after the release of PoE 2. However, the PoE 1 team was reassigned to assist with PoE 2's endgame development before its December 2024 launch. While GGG initially believed they could return to PoE 1's 3.26 update in time for its February target, unforeseen issues with PoE 2, including crashes and balance problems, necessitated their continued focus on the sequel.
In a video message, Jonathan Rogers, PoE 2 game director and GGG co-founder, acknowledged the studio's miscalculation. He stated that diverting the experienced PoE 1 developers was unavoidable given the critical situation with PoE 2.
The delay extends beyond the initial few-week postponement of PoE 2's release. Rogers admitted to overconfidence in managing two simultaneous game releases and a need to reassess the studio's structure to handle such a workload effectively. He expressed regret for the situation and apologized for the lack of a concrete release date for the PoE 1 3.26 update. The team will continue to focus on PoE 2 until at least version 0.2.0 is released and potentially for a couple of weeks thereafter.
Despite the setbacks, PoE 2's December 6th, 2024 launch across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S was remarkably successful, achieving a significant milestone as one of Steam's most played games.
To assist players, guides are available for character class selection (including Mercenary and Sorceress builds), resource management (Spirit acquisition), trading mechanics, and ascension paths.
