Summary
- GGG is shifting its Path of Exile 2 update strategy to prioritize releasing patches on time, even if it means cutting or delaying planned content.
- Updates will now follow a consistent four-month cycle, with the goal of having content ready within that timeframe.
- Director Jonathan Rogers explained that if a new feature isn’t ready, GGG will focus on polishing existing content instead.
Developer Grinding Gear Games is shifting its strategy regarding Path of Exile 2 update cycles and is now committed to releasing patches on time (on specific dates), even if it means cutting or delaying planned content—instead of spending time developing a feature without knowing when it will see the light of day. This new strategy marks a change from GGG’s earlier approach with Path of Exile 2, where it prioritized making sure features were 100% complete before releasing, which led to numerous delays.
Path of Exile 2 has gone through a lot in its less than six months on the market. The game—which built immense anticipation before release—launched in early access, and while there was still a lot to improve, early impressions from fans were positive, as the game showed clear improvements over Path of Exile 1. However, as expected from an early access title, it needed significant refinement, which GGG immediately started addressing. Some of the changes were well received, while other Path of Exile 2 updates faced heavy criticism from fans. GGG has been trying to redeem itself by listening to player feedback and has now come up with a new strategy to improve the game’s development cycle.
Path of Exile 2 Can't Have its Cake and Eat it Too Without One Feature
Path of Exile 2 has hit a rough patch with Dawn of the Hunt, and one feature could help ensure GGG's vision aligns with players' needs.
During an interview with YouTuber Talkative Tri, director Jonathan Rogers explained the complexity of the trade-off between locking a release date for an update or locking in the features that PoE 2 will include. “If you want to lock the features, you can't lock the date, and if you want to lock the date, you can't lock the features,” Rogers said. He explained that GGG has traditionally been “locking dates,” though with PoE 2, the studio shifted to locking features instead. The director admitted that this change wasn't ideal, as it led to the delay of some Path of Exile 2 features, and now the studio will shift back to locking dates.
Path of Exile 2 Commits to a Four-Month Update Cycle
Rogers said GGG is now moving to consistent four-month update cycles, with the goal of having content ready within that timeframe, as the studio doesn’t “wanna have this kind of uncertainty around this anymore.” This shift will also apply to Path of Exile 1 updates, which have also been a struggle for GGG.
Even though the director acknowledged that the new development model could mean that a planned feature won’t be ready by the release date, GGG will prioritize polishing existing content rather than rushing unfinished elements. As the developer continues working on improving Path of Exile 2, players should expect to have a clearer idea of GGG’s schedule thanks to the game’s new update cycle.
Path of Exile II
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Nudity, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Language, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
- Developer(s)
- Grinding Gear Games
- Publisher(s)
- Grinding Gear Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG
