Grinding Gear Games did not anticipate the overwhelming success of their action role-playing game, Path of Exile 2, during its early access launch last year.
Based in New Zealand, the studio had concerns that the £25 entry fee, which is a temporary measure while the game is in open development before transitioning to a free-to-play model, might deter potential players. Contrary to their expectations, the game surged in popularity, amassing between 800,000 and 900,000 concurrent players at its height. This milestone marked the studio’s most successful launch to date.
"It was absolutely 100 percent a success," stated Jonathan Rogers, co-founder and game director, in a recent interview. He reflected on the pre-release phase, saying, "As we began to approach the launch and observe pre-sales, it hit us that this could be one of our biggest releases ever, and it indeed turned out to be just that, significantly surpassing our previous achievements."
However, with great success came unforeseen challenges. What was initially designed as a platform for dedicated fans to contribute to the game's development evolved into a full-fledged release, necessitating a shift in development focus. "Early on, we recognized the need for adjustments, such as nerfing certain aspects that required balancing," Rogers explained.
In a recent discussion, the director of Path of Exile 2 shared insights about the game's unexpected early access success.
The team faced immediate challenges that typically arise post-launch.
Players expressed concerns over build changes, prompting the developers to treat the situation as if the game had fully launched.
This led to a shift in their approach, focusing on stability rather than experimentation.
"Player feedback can significantly alter our plans," the director noted, emphasizing that real-time player interactions highlight the game's needs more than internal testing ever could.
This shift in focus has resulted in a concerted effort to enhance endgame content, responding to the community's demands.
He expressed confidence about the future, stating, "I would be incredibly disappointed if we weren't cracking a million concurrent players at full release."
However, the game's surge in popularity has also brought unexpected media attention.
Notably, Elon Musk's involvement with Path of Exile 2 stirred controversy when it was revealed he had paid someone to manage his account.
This practice seemingly violates the game's terms of service, which prohibit players from monetizing such services.
When asked about this incident, the director opted not to delve into the details, stating, "I don't really want to comment about that whole drama."
He did, however, reflect on the peculiar situation, admitting it was a bit strange but ultimately something they had to accept.
Since the early access launch, player counts have fluctuated. Current statistics show a drop to approximately 25,000 concurrent players.
Despite this decline, the director remains unconcerned, explaining that the game's design is inherently seasonal.
Players typically engage intensely for a limited time, then return later for new content, which is a pattern the development team expects and accommodates.
Rogers has observed a recurring trend in player engagement.
After the initial launch of a game, player numbers typically decline, particularly around the time of the 0.2 update, which is set to release next week.
Following this dip, interest tends to pick up again starting with the 0.3 update.
"This is a common occurrence in action RPGs," he noted, reflecting on the pattern seen with every Path of Exile release.
He believes that Path of Exile 2 has the potential to outperform its early access phase when it eventually launches fully, which could happen this year or potentially in early 2026.
"I am completely confident it will be bigger," he stated, highlighting that the transition to a free-to-play model will attract many new players who might not have considered the game otherwise.
He expressed his expectations for the full release, saying, "I would be really disappointed if we don't reach a million concurrent players, and I believe we can exceed that."
Path of Exile 2 entered early access in December of last year, and my experience with it has been overwhelmingly positive.
This action RPG introduces heightened risks, offering a more challenging campaign compared to similar titles like Diablo 4.
In my early access review, I remarked on how the combination of "soulslike thrills and high production values makes Path of Exile 2 an impressive experience, even at this early stage."
The upcoming 0.2 update, titled Dawn of the Hunt, is scheduled for release on April 4th and will introduce a wealth of new content, including a major overhaul of the endgame, a new huntress class, numerous items, monsters, encounters, additional ascendency class options, and much more.
Grinding Gear Games has provided an in-depth look at patch 0.2 through a Twitch showcase.
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