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

Grinding Gear Games, the developers behind the popular action RPG series Path of Exile, have issued an apology to fans of the original game after delaying a much-anticipated update. Path of Exile 1, which has been delighting players for over a decade, was promised ongoing updates even after the launch of Path of Exile 2. However, the planned 3.26 update for Path of Exile 1, initially slated for late October and then pushed to mid-February, has been further postponed.

In a candid video message, Jonathan Rogers, the game director of Path of Exile 2 and co-founder of Grinding Gear Games, explained the situation. The team working on Path of Exile 1 was reassigned to tackle critical issues in Path of Exile 2's endgame ahead of its December launch. Rogers had hoped this team could return to finish the 3.26 update in time, but the complexity of Path of Exile 2's problems made this impossible. "We were fooling ourselves," Rogers admitted, acknowledging the severe crashes and balance issues that necessitated immediate attention.

"How could I justify taking some of the most experienced developers we have off PoE2 when it’s on fire?" Rogers questioned, emphasizing the urgency of stabilizing Path of Exile 2. As a result, the Path of Exile 1 team will continue working on Path of Exile 2 until the release of version 0.2.0 and likely for a few weeks beyond. Rogers expressed regret over the delay, admitting he should have foreseen the consequences of pulling the team from Path of Exile 1.

"We still have a lot to learn about how to run two games simultaneously," Rogers confessed. He acknowledged the studio's overconfidence and the need to restructure to better manage dual game development. Despite these challenges, Rogers assured fans that there is a solid plan in place for the 3.26 update.

Path of Exile 2 finally launched into early access on December 6, 2024, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, achieving remarkable success by becoming the 15th most-played game on Steam ever. For players diving into Path of Exile 2, guides on choosing the best class, early builds for the Mercenary and Sorceress, and tips on acquiring Spirit, trading, and ascending are available to enhance your gaming experience.