Hey Exiles! If there's one thing Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is famous for, it's a knack for listening to the community and delivering consistent content drops like clockwork. But ever since Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) hit Early Access in December 2024, things have felt... unpredictable. Radio silence, delayed updates and shifting timelines have left players wondering: Are we finally approaching a point of content stability for both games? With a recent announcement from GGG shedding light on the next league for Path of Exile 1 (PoE 1) and its implications for PoE 2, we take a look at what's happening, what it means, and where we might be headed.
The Latest Update: Legacy of Fissa Extended, 3.26 Delayed
GGG recently dropped some big news for PoE 1 fans. The Legacy of Fissa event, which began on the 20th of February 2025, was originally scheduled to end on the 23rd of March. Due to its popularity, it's now been extended to 23rd April - a whole month longer. After that, GGG is throwing in a bonus: private league templates for the entire month of May, allowing players to tinker with Fissa content at noextra cost. But the real kicker? The next PoE 1 league, version 3.26, won't be released until June 2025.
This shift has people buzzing. Historically, PoE 1 leagues follow a roughly 13-week cycle (about three months), but the current Settlers of Kalguur league (3.25) has already overstayed its welcome, running over six months by now. The Fissa expansion and private leagues are a nice stopgap, but moving 3.26 to June signals that GGG's focus is elsewhere - most likely on PoE 2. So, what does this mean for both games' stability?
PoE 1: A Return to Predictability?
For PoE 1, this timeline suggests that GGG may be getting back to a steady cadence. If 3.26 lands in June, we could see the next league (3.27) around late August or early September, aligning with that familiar three-month rhythm. The Fissa extension and private leagues feel like a bridge to keep veterans engaged while GGG sorts out its dual-game juggling act. It's not ideal—many players are itching for a fresh league now—but it's a sign they're not abandoning PoE 1.
That said, the delay has sparked some grumbling. Posts on X and forums hint at frustration, with some fearing PoE 1's support might dwindle as PoE 2 takes center stage. I'm not buying the "PoE 1 is dead" narrative just yet - GGG's track record shows they're committed to both titles. Still, June feels like a critical checkpoint. If 3.26 delivers and restarts the league cycle, PoE 1 could regain its footing.
PoE 2: Patch 0.2.0 and Beyond
Over in PoE 2 land, the first major content update (patch 0.2.0) is approaching. GGG hinted in February that it's about a month away from their "First Race Event" announcement, putting it around late March or early April 2025. I'll speculate March 28th as a potential drop date—pure guesswork, but it fits the buzz. This patch is poised to tackle big player concerns: tower updates, new ascendancies, and maybe even a class like the Druid. It's a big step towards stabilising Early Access, which has so far only seen balance tweaks and QoL fixes (e.g. patch 0.1.1 in January).
Looking ahead, GGG's hinted at two or three major updates before PoE 2 leaves Early Access. If 0.2.0 arrives in March, we might see 0.3.0 around June or July, followed by 0.4.0 in late 2025 - possibly December, which would mark a full release. That's optimistic, though. The current pace, and GGG's admitted staffing problems (they've said they're stretched thin managing both games) make me wonder if 2026 is more realistic. Either way, these updates are key to smoothing out PoE 2's rough edges and delivering the promised "double the content" by launch.
Are We Closer to Stability?
For PoE 1, sort of. The 3.26 delay is a hiccup, but June could see a return to normalcy if GGG makes the landing. For PoE 2, we're getting there - patch 0.2.0 will be a litmus test. If it addresses the core issues and sets a precedent for regular updates, stability feels within reach. But let's be realistic: GGG's reputation has taken a hit recently. A year ago, negative chatter was rare; now doubts about their bandwidth are loud. I'm still rooting for them—they turned PoE 1 into a juggernaut despite rocky starts—so I believe they'll pull through.
Tips for Players
PoE 1: Enjoy Fissa while it lasts, experiment in May's private leagues, and prep for 3.26 in June. Stock up on currency now - new leagues mean new economies.
PoE 2: Keep an eye out for 0.2.0 news (probably mid-March). If you're burned out, take a break - big changes are coming to shake things up.
Thanks for reading
The next few months are make-or-break. For PoE 1, June's 3.26 needs to deliver a killer league. For PoE 2, 0.2.0 needs to show that GGG is serious about fixing Early Access issues. If both hit their targets, we'll see the old GGG reliability shine through. If not, the "2026 or bust" crowd might have a point.
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