Path of Exile 2: Early Access Release Date and Time

Fans of Path of Exile will be happy to hear that the sequel, Path of Exile 2, is right around the corner. The game, which started as an expansion, has now evolved into a whole separate game with new mechanics, classes, and story. Here's everything you need to know about the release date and time, access details, and what to expect.

When is the PoE2 Release Date and Time?

The Early Access for Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on Friday, December 6, 2024. While an exact release time has not been announced by Grinding Gear Games, Early Access games typically launch around midnight UTC. Based on this assumption, here’s when the game is likely to go live across various time zones:

• UTC: 12:00 AM (midnight)
• Pacific Time (PT): December 5, 4:00 PM
• Eastern Time (ET): December 5, 7:00 PM
• Central European Time (CET): December 6, 1:00 AM
• Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT): December 6, 11:00 AM

It’s worth keeping an eye on official announcements for exact timing as the release date approaches.

What Is Early Access?

Originally intended to launch as a beta, Path of Exile 2 will instead be released in Early Access. This might mean that the game is not yet ready and the team is still polishing the details before the official release which still hasn't been announced. Players can expect:

• Limited Classes and Campaign Content: Early Access will feature some, but not all, of the game's classes and story.
• Uncertain Endgame Features: It remains unclear whether Early Access will include features like mapping or other endgame systems.

How to Get PoE2 Early Access?

Grinding Gear Games has shared details on how players can get access to the Early Access period of PoE2. Here's what you can do if you want to try out the game before the official release:

1. Purchase a Supporter Pack: New supporter packs will be available at launch, and all tiers will grant access.
2. Past Purchases: Players who have previously purchased top-tier supporter packs or have lifetime purchases exceeding $500 will automatically receive a key.
3. Random Invites: Each day, a limited number of players (estimated at 500–1,000) will receive access through a lottery system.

Additional methods, such as Twitch drops or giveaways, might also become available closer to the release.

Platforms

Path of Exile 2 Early Access will be available on the following platforms:

• PC and MacOS
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S

Classes and Leagues

At launch, Path of Exile 2 will feature 12 confirmed classes, each with unique Ascendancy options, alongside the possibility of seasonal leagues running on a 13-week cycle. These leagues are expected to introduce new mechanics, skills, and balance updates, providing fresh challenges for players.

Conclusion

Path of Exile 2 sounds promising but there's no official final release date yet. The good thing is that we already know that the game enters Early Access on December 6, 2024, although after a short delay (The early access was supposed to be available on November 15th). Developers are committed to presenting a quality game, so they value feedback.