Path of Exile 2 Delays PoE 1.3.26 Update

Grinding Gear Games has issued a sincere apology to Path of Exile 1 players following the postponement of the 3.26 update. The update, initially slated for late October 2024, then rescheduled for mid-February 2025, has been further delayed due to the studio's focus on resolving critical issues within the recently released Path of Exile 2.

Path of Exile 1's last league, Settlers of Kalguur, launched in July 2024. GGG had previously committed to continued support for Path of Exile 1 even after the launch of its sequel. However, Game Director Jonathan Rogers explained in a video message that the Path of Exile 1 development team was reassigned to assist with Path of Exile 2's endgame development before its December launch. While the intention was to resume work on the 3.26 update in mid-February, unforeseen challenges with Path of Exile 2's launch made this impossible.

Path of Exile 2, released on December 6th, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, experienced unexpected crashes and balance issues requiring immediate attention. Rogers acknowledged the studio's miscalculation, stating that diverting resources from Path of Exile 1 proved detrimental. He emphasized the difficulty of justifying pulling experienced developers away from the struggling Path of Exile 2 launch.

While no new release date for Path of Exile 1's 3.26 update has been announced, Rogers assured players that a plan is in place. The team will continue to focus on Path of Exile 2 until at least version 0.2.0 and potentially a couple of weeks beyond that. He expressed regret for the situation, admitting overconfidence in the studio's ability to manage both games simultaneously.

Path of Exile 2's successful launch saw it become one of Steam's most played games ever, reaching 15th place. Guides for character classes, including the Mercenary and Sorceress, are available to help new players get started. Additional resources covering Spirit acquisition, trading, and ascensions are also provided.