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Grinding Gear Games

Path of Exile 2 is set for a free-to-play full release on December 11, 2026. The original Path of Exile continues to receive major updates, most recently Curse of the Allflame in July.

Synthesized from 3 Yomimono stories · updated 1d ago

Grinding Gear Games is supporting two Path of Exile titles at once. The original game received update 3.29, Curse of the Allflame, on July 25. The update adds the Voyage league, the Allflame Crafting system, and brings Torath's Mercenaries back as a core mechanic. It also relaxes socket color restrictions so any gem fits any socket.

Path of Exile 2 is set for a full release on December 11, 2026, announced at gamescom Opening Night Live. The sequel will be free-to-play, ending a paid early access period that began December 7, 2024. It supports solo play and cooperative play for up to six players on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Early access for the sequel launched with six classes, with Huntress and Druid added through major updates since. The release announcement trailer appeared to reveal a new class specializing in sword action. The original Path of Exile, which debuted in 2013, continues to receive updates alongside the sequel.

Key facts

Path of Exile 2 release date
December 11, 2026
Path of Exile 2 model
Free-to-play at full release
Early access start
December 7, 2024, for DLC purchasers
Platforms
PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Original game debut
Path of Exile debuted in 2013
Latest original game update
Curse of the Allflame (3.29), released July 25
Update content
Adds the Voyage league, Allflame Crafting, and Torath's Mercenaries as a core mechanic
New ascendancy class
Luminari, allowing permanent mercenary hiring
Socket color change
Socket color restrictions relaxed; any gem fits any socket

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

All coverage

3d ago

Path of Exile 2 Sets December 11 Release, Goes Free-to-Play

Grinding Gear Games announced during gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 that Path of Exile 2 will receive its full release on December 11, 2026. The action RPG, currently in early access, will be offered as a free-to-play title across all supported platforms when it officially launches. The game supports solo play and cooperative play for up to six players on the dark continent of Wraeclast, where players build characters using various enhancement elements and take on powerful enemies. Early access began on December 7, 2024, for DLC purchasers, meaning the official release arrives about two years after the initial early access period started. Supported platforms include PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The announcement trailer shown at the event featured battle scenes and appeared to reveal a new class specializing in sword action. The game is the sequel to Path of Exile, which debuted in 2013. Early access launched with six classes, with additional classes such as Huntress and Druid added through major updates since then.

Aug 7

Path of Exile Update Curse of the Allflame Adds Voyage League and Allflame Crafting

Grinding Gear Games released Path of Exile update 3.29, Curse of the Allflame, on July 25 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The update introduces the Voyage league mechanic, set on the seabed of Lakecrest, along with the Allflame Crafting system. Torath's Mercenaries returns as a core mechanic, and the new Luminari ascendancy class allows permanent mercenary hiring.

Jul 16

Path of Exile's Curse of the Allflame Arrives July 25, Socket Color Restrictions Relaxed

Grinding Gear Games announced the major update 3.29 'Curse of the Allflame' for Path of Exile, releasing July 25. The update introduces a new league with deep-sea exploration mechanics, a new Ascendancy class for the Scion, and the return of Mercenaries of Trarthus as a core mechanic. A key system change relaxes equipment socket color restrictions, allowing any gem to be equipped in any socket.