Grinding Gear Games has issued a sincere apology to Path of Exile 1 players following the indefinite postponement of the 3.26 update. The developer had initially promised continued support for the decade-old action RPG, even after the launch of Path of Exile 2. However, the 3.26 update, initially slated for late October 2024, then mid-February 2025, has been delayed indefinitely.
The delay stems from the unexpected challenges encountered with Path of Exile 2’s launch. In a video message, Game Director Jonathan Rogers explained that the Path of Exile 1 team was reassigned to assist with Path of Exile 2’s endgame development before its December launch. While they anticipated returning to the 3.26 update by mid-February, the unforeseen scope of Path of Exile 2’s launch issues—including crashes and balance problems—prevented this.
Rogers acknowledged the studio’s miscalculation, stating they were “fooling ourselves” about the timeline. He explained the decision to prioritize Path of Exile 2’s stability, stating, “How could I justify taking some of the most experienced developers we have off PoE2 when it’s on fire?”
AnswerSee ResultsCurrently, the Path of Exile 1 team remains focused on Path of Exile 2, with their work expected to continue until at least the release of Path of Exile 2’s 0.2.0 update, and possibly a couple of weeks beyond. Rogers expressed regret for the situation and admitted the studio’s overconfidence in managing two games concurrently. He stated that a plan for the 3.26 update is in place, but a release date remains uncertain.
Path of Exile 2’s early access launch on December 6th, 2024, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, was a significant success, achieving a remarkable ranking as one of Steam’s most played games ever. Resources are available to help players navigate the new game, including class selection guides, build guides (Mercenary and Sorceress), and information on mechanics like Spirit acquisition, trading, and ascensions.
