Grinding Gear Games
Grinding Gear Games business and news from across the web.
PlayStation – and The Gaming Industry – Just Doesn’t Learn With Live-ServiceDespite numerous high-profile failures and significant layoffs within studios like Bungie and Quantic Dream, Sony Interactive Entertainment, led by Hideaki Nishino, remains committed to pursuing live-service games. This strategy is questioned due to past setbacks and the company's historical strength in single-player titles, with concerns that chasing trends is leading to wasted investment and development resources.
New Path of Exile 2 update adds yet another skill tree on top of making unique items easier to use in order to "open up a whole bunch of builds" in the action RPGPath of Exile 2's latest update introduces the Atlas Passive Tree, offering players more customization options for character builds. This update also makes unique items scale with character level, allowing powerful gear to be used earlier in the game. Developer Jonathan Rogers stated this aims to "open up a whole bunch of builds available to play much earlier."
Path of Exile 2 just added yet another skill tree, because why the heck notGrinding Gear Games has released update 0.5.4 for Path of Exile 2, introducing a new Atlas Passive skill tree focused on the Expedition mechanic and the Runes of Aldur seasonal league. The update also adjusts unique items to scale down their granted skills for lower-level characters and adds new unique gloves called The Master's Reach.
Chris Wilson's new ARPG won't be as big as Path of Exile, making him worry fans will say "'all this…Grinding Gear Games co-founder Chris Wilson stated that his new action-RPG, developed by his studio Light Pattern, will be significantly smaller in scope than Path of Exile. Wilson expressed concern that fans might be disappointed by the smaller scale, especially given the studio's small team size and his self-funding of the project. The game is still years away from announcement and will be developed in stealth.
Path of Exile 2's incredible new build guide feature just got even easier to useGrinding Gear Games has enhanced the in-game build guide feature for Path of Exile 2 with a new subscription system, allowing players to automatically update imported builds. This update aims to simplify the process for new and existing players, especially those on consoles who previously faced difficulties with manual file management. The developers are working to resolve initial deployment issues on consoles.
Path of Exile used to think 'live service was entirely upside, in all cases', but 10 years of experience and games like Baldur's Gate 3 have shown him another wayChris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, has re-evaluated his stance on live service games, acknowledging their drawbacks after a decade of experience and observing titles like Baldur's Gate 3. While he initially saw live service as purely beneficial, he now recognizes the complexities of community feedback and the pressures of constant updates, noting that finished, single-player games offer a different, valuable experience.- Path of Exile co-creator "would have scoffed at something like Baldur's Gate 3" 10 years ago, but now he knows why live service isn't necessarily "the future"Chris Wilson, co-founder of Grinding Gear Games, has re-evaluated his stance on live-service games, admitting he would have dismissed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 a decade ago. While Path of Exile exemplifies a player-friendly live-service model, Wilson now acknowledges the drawbacks of the monetization strategy and the pressures it creates, contrasting it with the appeal of complete, finished games.
What to do with the Depleted Mana Rune in Path of Exile 2The Depleted Mana Rune is a rare endgame secret in Path of Exile 2 that can be transformed into the Infused Mana Rune by defeating the Uhtred boss and having a build with 10,000 Mana. This Infused Mana Rune can then be traded to Farrow for the Runeseeker's Call Runic Fork, a powerful Ezomyte Wand, and unlocks the spell The Stars Answer.- Path of Exile 2 beefs up its endgame with Patch 0.5.3Grinding Gear Games has released Patch 0.5.3 for Path of Exile 2, introducing significant improvements to the game's endgame. The update includes new introductory questlines, better rewards for bosses and Breaches, and adjustments to Delirium, aiming to make the online ARPG more rewarding and improve overall gameplay flow.
Path of Exile's most unique league is back with a chaotic, class-fusing twistGrinding Gear Games is launching a new Path of Exile event called 'Return of the Ancestors' on June 25th, combining the squad-building mechanics of Trial of the Ancestors with the alternate Phrecian ascendancy classes from Legacy of Phrecia. This event serves as a bridge to the Path of Exile 3.29 reveal in mid-July and requires players to create a fresh character.
Path of Exile 2 director says players exploiting system to become in-game millionaires 'ruined Christmas for me' and joked that he's 'lost all sympathy' for everyone who took advantage of itPath of Exile 2 co-director Mark Roberts expressed frustration over a game-breaking exploit involving the new 'temple' system that allowed players to become in-game millionaires, forcing the development team to interrupt their holiday break for emergency patches. Roberts stated that the exploit "ruined Christmas" and that he has "lost all sympathy" for those who exploited the system, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing an early access game economy.
Nobody needs to grind for 100 hours to see how Path of Exile 2 has redefined the action RPG loot huntPath of Exile 2 is redefining the action RPG loot hunt with an ambitious design that blends Diablo 2's worldbuilding and Elden Ring's challenging combat. Despite being in early access, the game offers a compelling campaign and an endgame loot grind that feels less like a chore. Developer Grinding Gear Games has improved pacing and item acquisition, making the experience more accessible for both new and returning players.
Unsatisfied with Path of Exile 2's hugely successful new endgame, GGG raises the risk and reward even furtherGrinding Gear Games has released Path of Exile 2 patch 0.5.3, focusing on enhancing its highly praised endgame content. Game Director Jonathan Rogers detailed changes to mechanics like Delirium, Simulacrums, Grand Expeditions, Temple, Breach, and Abyss to further increase risk and reward for players. The update also includes bug fixes and improvements for client stability.- Path of Exile 2 players have earned 8 trillion gold and cheesed a spin-to-win move in Return of the AncientsGrinding Gear Games has shared statistics from the early access period of Path of Exile 2's Return of the Ancients update, highlighting player activity. Players have accumulated over 8 trillion gold, and the Arbiter of Divinity has been defeated more than 1.2 million times. The studio is also continuing to refine the game with endgame changes and adjustments to character builds.
When is the full Path of Exile 2 release date?Grinding Gear Games is targeting a 2026 release for the full launch of Path of Exile 2, likely between November 9 and December 31, following ExileCon. While the campaign will be completed with Acts 5 and 6, not all four absent character classes may be ready for the 1.0 launch. The developers are prioritizing a complete campaign and endgame experience.
Path of Exile 2 director says Temple farming ruined his Christmas and "destroyed" him, and he loves "obliterating" it: "I don't care if it's a mid-season nerf"Path of Exile 2 co-game director Mark Roberts expressed his strong negative feelings about the Vaal Temple farming exploit, stating it ruined his Christmas and left him traumatized. He is gleeful about recent nerfs to the exploit, even if they are mid-season, and has lost sympathy for players who continue to use it. Despite his strong stance, he clarified he doesn't want to make the game bad but acknowledges the lasting impact of the exploit.
Path of Exile 2 reverses a build-breaking class nerf, as a new patch makes its hardest mechanics easierPath of Exile 2 patch 0.5.2 introduces several changes to endgame mechanics, including improved rewards from Remnants and easier Delirium and Ritual encounters. Grinding Gear Games also reverted accidental build-breaking nerfs to the Gemling Legionnaire's Advanced Thaumaturgy ascendancy passive. The update also features adjustments to Azmerian Wisps, new Atlas passive tree keystones, and nerfs to dangerous creatures like It That Hates.
A single crab has the third highest player kill count in Path of Exile 2A bug in Path of Exile 2's early access caused a specific crab enemy to kill players instantly with a volley of projectiles, leading to it becoming the third deadliest monster in the game. Lead developers Jonathan Rogers and Mark Roberts discussed the issue with streamer Zizaran, explaining it was a typo that caused the bug and highlighting the challenges of balancing difficulty in early access titles.
Best POE 2 Currency Sites: 7 Stores Ranked for Safety and DeliveryThis article ranks seven online stores for purchasing Path of Exile 2 currency, emphasizing safety and delivery speed. It highlights how currency is crucial for trading and crafting in the game, especially after recent economic adjustments in the 0.5.0 Return of the Ancients update. The guide provides an overview of each platform's strengths, such as POEcurrency's specialization, IGGM's comprehensive services, and EZG's competitive pricing, to help players make informed decisions.
"I saved you all": Path of Exile 2 player sacrifices rare level 100 character to give everyone else a free skill point as world-first "Martyr of the First Edict"A Path of Exile 2 player named Carn sacrificed his level 100 character to become the first "Martyr of the First Edict," granting an extra skill point to all players in the Solo Self-Found mode. This event is part of the game's Return of the Ancients update, which has been popular despite a buggy launch. Another player, ResurrectGodAura, later performed the same sacrifice for the regular multiplayer mode.