Jonathan Rogers, the game director for Path of Exile 2, has confirmed that the project will not exit early access this year. While there were previous hopes for a 2025 launch, Rogers stated that this now seems impossible as development is taking longer than anticipated. This also implies that the game will not become free-to-play anytime soon.
Two key conditions must be met for a full release. Firstly, the game`s main campaign needs to be completed. Although Act IV has already been added in the major “The Third Edict” update (which also introduces new temporary interlude acts and the first seasonal league), Acts V and VI still need to be released. Rogers mentioned that Act V will definitely arrive during early access, and Act VI might coincide with the game`s full launch.
Secondly, the game must achieve a level of balance that satisfies most players. The developers need to be confident that all core mechanics and systems are finely tuned.
Furthermore, five more character classes are yet to be added to the game: Templar, Druid, Shadow, Marauder, and Duelist. One of them nearly made it into “The Third Edict” update but wasn`t ready in time. Rogers assured that the next class would definitely appear in the subsequent update, although class development often takes an unpredictable amount of time.
Previously, Grinding Gear Games, the development studio, stated that Path of Exile 2 would remain in early access for “at least” six months. Earlier this year, GGG even paused major updates for the original Path of Exile to focus on the sequel, acknowledging that they still had much to learn about managing two projects simultaneously.
For those who wish to try Path of Exile 2 without purchasing early access, a free weekend will be held from August 29 to September 1, coinciding with the launch of “The Third Edict” update.