Grinding Gear Games has taken on the ambitious task of simultaneously developing three games.

During the ExileCon 2023 event, the renowned studio, Grinding Gear Games, unveiled exciting plans for the Path of Exile series, generating immense enthusiasm among both seasoned players and newcomers to the genre.

The center of attention was undeniably Path of Exile 2, especially in the wake of Diablo IV's recent release, which inevitably influenced the direction of other action role-playing games.

Staying true to their traditional design philosophy, the team at Grinding Gear Games clarified their approach. In essence, while Diablo IV shifted towards an open-world and MMO-style experience, Path of Exile 2 aligns more closely with the likes of Elden Ring, emphasizing exploration and acrobatic maneuvers. This prompted a revision in their strategy, transforming Path of Exile 2 into a full-fledged, standalone game, while still maintaining a shared microtransaction store with its predecessor.

The game promises an extensive array of content, boasting 100 unique locations, 600 diverse monsters, 100 formidable bosses, 1500 passive skills, 36 distinct ascendancy classes, 240 active abilities, and a staggering 700 types of equipment. Alongside these impressive additions, the developers have worked diligently on various balancing tweaks, all showcased during gameplay footage where a nimble monk gracefully maneuvers past intricately designed bosses.

Moreover, Grinding Gear Games has expressed their strong commitment to address known technical issues and abuses within the game's client. Efforts will be made to significantly hinder or eliminate the use of scripts for rapidly exiting to the character selection menu.

The team's dedication aims to bring the complete vision to fruition by the end of the decade, with the first beta testing phase scheduled to commence on June 7, 2024.

While Path of Exile 2 takes the spotlight, the original Path of Exile continues its journey as well. Players can look forward to a fresh wave of content arriving in August, accompanied by new paid support packs.

The upcoming "Ancestral Trials" expansion, set to launch on August 18 for PC and August 23 for consoles, introduces a unique auto-battler mechanic in a tournament-style challenge against local tribes. Players will deploy multiple warriors onto the battlefield, although they won't exercise direct control over their actions.

Regarding Path of Exile Mobile, the studio's intentions remain somewhat enigmatic, as it serves as a prequel to both Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2. The presentation displayed the developers grappling with unstable connections and technical optimization challenges.

Despite its appeal to hardcore fans and various enticing elements, Path of Exile may face a formidable challenge when competing against the juggernaut that is the Diablo franchise. Diablo 4 managed to generate more revenue in a single week than the entire Path of Exile series did over the past five years.

That concludes ExileCon! Thanks so much to everyone who joined us in person and online. We couldn't have done this without you.

On the night of July 29, 2023, the ExileCon 2023 festival kicked off in New Zealand with much excitement. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the third gameplay trailer for Path of Exile 2 by the talented developers at Grinding Gear Games. Alongside the trailer, fans were treated to an extensive 30-minute demonstration of the gameplay.

The big news for fans eagerly awaiting the sequel is that Path of Exile 2 will be a standalone game, surpassing all expectations in terms of scale and content. As a result, it will not be just a mere update for the first installment. This distinction means players can expect a fresh and immersive experience in a brand-new gaming world.

The closed beta testing for Path of Exile 2 has been scheduled to begin on June 7, 2024. Fans can hardly wait to get their hands on the game and explore the 100 different locations, take on 600 formidable monsters, challenge 100 unique bosses, and master a staggering 1500 passive skills. With 36 classes to ascend to, players will have a wide range of choices to tailor their characters to their playstyle.

In addition to the vast array of skills, Path of Exile 2 will introduce a groundbreaking feature: the introduction of gold as a new in-game PoE currency. Characters will automatically collect gold, adding an exciting new dimension to the gameplay dynamics.

Combat mechanics are getting an overhaul as well. Characters will now have access to a dodge roll ability, allowing them to evade enemy attacks with precision and skill. This dodge roll is unlimited in usage but leaves the character vulnerable during execution, adding an element of strategy during intense battles.

Speaking of battles, bosses in Path of Exile 2 will present an even greater challenge. Players will need to bring their best tactics to the table as bosses will be affected by crowd control effects such as freezing. However, to freeze a boss, players will have to deal a significant amount of cold damage, emphasizing the importance of elemental strategies.

While players will face formidable challenges, Path of Exile 2 promises an incredibly rewarding experience. In a bid to heighten the sense of accomplishment, boss health will reset upon the character's death during the campaign, requiring players to take on the challenge anew.

TRAILER

30 minutes of gameplay

Broadcast recording

Not forgetting the current Path of Exile community, ExileCon 2023 also showcased a substantial expansion titled "Trials of the Ancestors." This expansion is scheduled to release on PC on August 18, adding even more excitement to the action-packed RPG.

With Path of Exile 2 shaping up to be an epic adventure, fans have every reason to be thrilled about what the future holds for this beloved franchise.

How to Participate

• Step 1) Link your Path of Exile account to Twitch (see below).
• Step 2) Watch the ExileCon Livestream (29th-30th July NZT) at www.twitch.tv/pathofexile, or any ExileCon stream in the Path of Exile category.

To receive the Raven Demon Wings, you will need to watch any channel streaming ExileCon for at least one hour between Jul 29, 2023 1:00 AM (GMT+3) and Jul 29, 2023 2:30 AM (GMT+3). (this is displayed in your local time)

To receive the Heartseeker Portal you will need to accumulate four hours watch time on any ExileCon stream over the weekend, ending at Jul 30, 2023 8:00 AM (GMT+3) (this is displayed in your local time)

Linking your Path of Exile Account to Twitch

• Step 1) Visit your Twitch Settings page while logged in.
• Step 2) If your account isn’t connected, click the “connect” button for Twitch under “Other Connections” Complete the process on Twitch and you will be redirected back to your Twitch Settings page. If your account is already connected, this page should say “Your Path of Exile account is currently connected to your Twitch account.”

After you’ve accumulated enough watch time to earn your Heartseeker Portal and/or Raven Demon Wings, you must redeem them from your

Twitch Inventory

before the promotional period ends. You will then find them in your microtransaction list in Path of Exile.

If you're planning to stream Path of Exile during our livestream and want to enable Twitch Drops for your viewers, you can do it via your Twitch Creator Dashboard

here

.

We can’t wait to share everything about Path of Exile 2, Path of Exile: Mobile and the 3.22 expansion for Path of Exile 1 at ExileCon.

ExileCon is a Restricted 16 event and the party is a Restricted 18 event. You must have photo ID showing your age to enter.