Is PoE2 Stuck in Early Access, or Just Taking the Time It Needs?

Grinding Gear Games admits Path of Exile 2's early access took far longer than expected, but the team says the extra time will make the endgame stronger!

Neviriah

Updated: 15hr agoPosted: 15hr ago

Path of Exile 2 was never meant to stay in Early Access this long. When the game launched, the goal was a roughly six-month window to finish the game and move into full release. Nearly a year later, that timeline is long gone. According to co-director Mark Roberts, the team is pushing hard to finally get there.

Path of Exile 2 director says he would be 'beyond shocked' if it didn't come out in 2026: 'We never intended to be in early access this long'
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In a new interview with PC Gamer, Roberts said he would be very surprised if it is not fully released in 2026. He also added that it should not take longer.

“We never intended to be in early access this long,” Roberts explained. “So already we’re kind of like, OK we need to get there, we need to push, we need to get to this released.”

PoE 2’s long Early Access run mostly comes down to ‘firefighting.’ DDoS attacks, messy patches, and the fallout from Dawn of the Hunt kept the team busy fixing problems instead of working on the campaign.

“At the end of the day, your long-term plans go a little bit out the window the moment you have a live service game, even one in early access, to have to manage and maintain,” Roberts said.

Endgame Changes in Path of Exile 2

One of the biggest updates came from Path of Exile 2’s endgame. After finishing the four-act campaign, players enter a procedurally generated dungeon system inspired by the original game. But many were not happy with the “tower-hunting” mechanic needed to earn top rewards, calling it tedious and confusing.

GGG quickly issued a temporary fix and plans to completely overhaul the system in a huge December update. Roberts admitted this was not part of the original roadmap but believes the rework will pay off:

“Having to not only implement an endgame, but to then rework an endgame wasn’t part of our initial scope… but it will result in the game being the best it can possibly be.”

Two Path of Exile Games, One Studio

Grinding Gear Games is also still updating the original Path of Exile. The Game is just about to receive its first endgame overhaul in twelve years. Roberts currently directs both titles, but he hinted that PoE2’s eventual release might change the team’s usual four-month update rhythm.

Even with delays and live-service chaos, Roberts stays confident that each patch and rework is bringing PoE 2 closer to the version fans deserve.

If all goes according to plan, 2026 could finally be the year PoE2 leaves Early Access.

Source: PC Gamer

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