Grinding Gear Games is a video game developer and the largest video game company in New Zealand. Founded in 2006, the Auckland company has produced two games, Path of Exile, and its sequel, Path of Exile 2. Having started as an independent developer, the company was majority acquired by Chinese technology company Tencent in 2018, after Tencent had published Path of Exile in China in 2017. In 2025 Grinding Gear Games had 240 staff in New Zealand and paid almost NZ$100 million in dividends to Tenc
Source: Wikipedia
Grinding Gear Games has confirmed Path of Exile 2 will exit early access with its 1.0 launch on December 11, 2026, arriving on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The announcement debuted during gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 alongside a new trailer revealing the Duelist class.
Path of Exile 2's 1.0 release is set for before the end of the year, after early November's ExileCon, cautiously avoiding a direct clash with the highly anticipated GTA 6 on November 19. Director Jonathan Rogers acknowledges the unavoidable impact of GTA 6's massive media presence, opting for a strategic buffer. Despite the challenge, Path of Exile 2's dedicated 13-year-cultivated PC fanbase is expected to drive significant excitement around its launch.
Path of Exile 2 is set to achieve Steam Deck verification by the end of May with patch 0.5.0, enhancing its portable playability. This move sparks optimism for a potential Nintendo Switch 2 release, given the game's impending full 1.0 launch this year. Developer Grinding Gear Games hasn't ruled out exploring Switch 2, citing their focus on ensuring a seamless Steam Deck experience.
Path of Exile 2's next expansion launches on May 29, 2026, giving players time to enjoy Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred first.
Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated ARPG sequel, will enter early access on November 15, 2024, with new classes, bosses, and enhanced mechanics.
