Steadvar — News without the noise

Privacy · Terms · About

© 2026 Steadvar. All rights reserved.

Path of Exile 2 Full Release Planned for This Year

Gaming5/7/2026
Share

Similar Articles

Path of Exile 2 Final Early Access Patch Arrives May 29, Steam Deck Verified by Month's End

GamingTechnology5/8/2026

Slay the Spire 2 Enters Early Access Development Roadmap

Gaming4/18/2026

NCSoft Announces Global PC Release for Aion 2 MMORPG in 2026

Gaming4/21/2026

Remedy Entertainment Confirms Control Sequel Release, Reports Stable Financials

BusinessGaming5/5/2026

Stellar Blade Sequel Development 'Progressing Smoothly' as Shift Up Plans Self-Publishing Shift

GamingBusiness5d ago

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) plans to release the full version 1.0 of Path of Exile 2 within this year. The game, currently in paid early access, will become free-to-play upon its full launch, which will include a complete six-act campaign. The studio's timeline is contingent on player feedback for new endgame content.

Facts First

  • Plans for a full 1.0 release of Path of Exile 2 this year announced by game director Jonathan Rogers.
  • The game will transition from paid early access to free-to-play upon its full launch.
  • The final early access patch, 0.5.0, arrives May 29 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
  • The full release will include a six-act campaign, with environment work for Act 5 complete and Act 6 in progress.
  • The release timeline depends on player feedback for upcoming endgame content like new Atlas areas.

What Happened

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) plans to release the full version 1.0 of Path of Exile 2 within this year. Game director and studio co-founder Jonathan Rogers announced this intention following ExileCon in New Zealand. The game entered paid early access in early December 2024. The final early access patch, version 0.5.0 titled 'Return of the Ancients', is scheduled for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X on May 29.

Why this Matters to You

If you are a fan of action RPGs, you will gain access to a major, highly anticipated sequel for free upon its full launch. The planned completion of the six-act campaign and the addition of new endgame content could provide hundreds of hours of gameplay. The developers' stated reliance on player feedback means your experience during early access could directly shape the final game.

What's Next

The final early access patch arrives at the end of May. Following that, the development team will be focused on completing the remaining campaign work and implementing the new endgame systems, which include major questlines and new areas of the Atlas. The full 1.0 release could happen later this year, though the timeline may shift based on how players respond to the new endgame mechanics. The remaining character classes... are expected to be added later.

Perspectives

“
Studio Leadership maintains that prioritizing game completeness and quality over the original class count is a viable strategy, noting that missing classes at launch 'is not going to be the end of the world'. They express confidence in the readiness of Acts 5 and 6 while emphasizing that the endgame must be player-tested before the 1.0 release is finalized.
“
Game Critics observe that Path of Exile 2 has grown significantly in scope since early access and view it as a deeper, more challenging alternative to Diablo. However, they express concern that prioritizing endgame reshaping might delay the development of remaining campaign acts and character classes.