Almost two years after its Early Access launch, Grinding Gear Games finally announced the release date for version 1.0 of Path of Exile 2 at Gamescom Opening Night Live. On December 11, 2026, the action RPG will officially leave Early Access – bringing with it a surprise that many fans hadn't anticipated.
When Will Path of Exile 2 Version 1.0 Be Released?
The full version release is scheduled for December 11, 2026, simultaneously for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. With the launch, all planned campaign acts are expected to be playable – previously, only a portion of the story was available in Early Access.
What Changes with the Switch to Free-to-Play?
The biggest new feature: Path of Exile 2 will be completely free-to-play at launch, across all platforms. Those who have already purchased a Supporter Pack for Early Access will lose nothing – their items will be retained. In the trailer, GGG also showcased specific content coming with the 1.0 launch:
- New Class: The Duelist, playable with swords as a new weapon category
- Several new skills focused on sword combat and fast melee combos
- All campaign acts fully playable for the first time
- Simultaneous release on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5
How Has Path of Exile 2 Evolved Since its Early Access Launch?
For context: Path of Exile 2 launched into Early Access in late 2024 and was polarizing from the start – some fans praised the slower, more tactical combat system compared to the original game, while others missed the more action-packed pace of Path of Exile 1. Since then, GGG has tweaked balance, the gear system, and boss fights in several major patches. Notably, Path of Exile 1 continues to run in parallel and also remains free – GGG emphasizes supporting both games long-term side-by-side, rather than simply replacing the original.
Source: IGN, Push Square
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