PoE2: New Jonathan Rogers Interview Summary
Time: 2025-05-29 by mmojugg Game: Path of Exile 2 Guide
If you're a fan of Path of Exile 2 (POE2) or its predecessor, you're likely buzzing with excitement about the game's future. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has been hard at work, and in a recent interview with Talkative Tri, POE2 Game Director and GGG co-founder Jonathan Rogers shared a wealth of updates about the game's development, balance, and what's coming next. For those who don't have time to watch the complete hour-and-a-half discussion, we've distilled the key points into this article. If you find this summary helpful, consider bookmarking our site and exploring our Path of Exile 2 currency and item shop for all your in-game needs!
New Development Rhythm for POE1 and POE2
One of the biggest takeaways from the interview is GGG's shift in development strategy. Previously, the team struggled to balance updates for Path of Exile 1 (POE1) and POE2, often prioritizing features over fixed release dates. This led to unpredictable schedules, leaving players in the dark about when new content would drop. Jonathan revealed that GGG is now locking in release dates, aiming for a consistent four-month cycle for both games. For example, the upcoming POE1 league launches on June 13, 2025, with a POE2 patch following two months later, and another POE1 release four months after that. This structured approach ensures players know when to expect new content, making planning builds and grinding sessions easier.
This change reflects GGG's commitment to sustainability. By setting firm dates, they can prioritize shipping content, even if it means cutting features that aren't ready. For players, this means more reliable updates and less frustration from vague timelines.
Player Reception and Platform Performance
Since its early access launch in December 2024, POE2 has seen impressive engagement. Jonathan shared that the game reached nearly 600,000 concurrent players on Steam, with standalone and console platforms adding significant numbers, around 890,000 concurrent players during the initial release. While console numbers are smaller (15-20% of the total), Jonathan noted that console players seem less inclined to engage with early access, a trend GGG is monitoring. The team is also preparing for a Chinese release, with Jonathan planning a trip to meet players there, ensuring the game's pricing and model remain consistent globally.
The positive reception hasn't been without challenges. Issues such as lag and disconnections, particularly in Europe due to DDoS attacks, have been a focus. GGG is now utilizing detailed data dashboards to pinpoint issues by ISP and data centre, with the goal of enhancing server stability. This data-driven approach marks a shift for GGG, which is traditionally more reliant on playtesting than analytics.
Balancing Act: Skills, Nerfs, and Build Variety
Character balance was a hot topic in the interview, with Jonathan addressing the community's concerns about skill viability and build diversity. A key issue is that some skills, like Lightning Spear, dominate the endgame meta, causing players to overlook other options. GGG is hesitant to nerf skills mid-league due to the negative player sentiment it generates—Jonathan described the feeling of a nerfed build as having “the chair knocked out from under you.” Instead, the team plans to focus on buffs, particularly after the POE1 league launch, to improve underperforming skills and archetypes like fire and chaos (e.g., Acolyte of Chalula).
For skills like Storm Mages, which scale only with minion damage, Jonathan is open to adding more tags (e.g., spell or projectile) to increase build flexibility, though implementation is complex due to the game's vast stat system. Weapon swapping, another underutilized mechanic, is also on the radar. The current swap speed penalty makes it clunky, and while scaling it with attack speed was considered, technical challenges (e.g., handling staves) have delayed implementation of these changes. Expect improvements in patch 0.3.0, along with the long-awaited lock weapon tech.
Endgame Progression and Atlas Improvements
The POE2 endgame, particularly the Atlas and its tower system, has sparked debate. Jonathan acknowledged that progression feels slow, partly due to the insufficient content in league mechanics, such as Breach. The team miscalculated the time needed to unlock key nodes, such as Audiences with the King, and plans to add more mid-tier content (e.g., additional Breach bosses) to smooth progression. While patch 0.3.0 will improve this, Jonathan noted that 0.4.0 is likely when these systems will feel complete.
The Atlas's infinite expansion is a core feature, but GGG is aware of issues with player agency. The Grand Project Precursor Tablet, which allows map selection within a tower's radius, has been well-received, but Jonathan is cautious about making it a core mechanic. Instead, he wants to address the root issue: players struggle to find the desired content easily. Solutions like randomizing tower spawns or increasing map variety (e.g., fixing the Hidden Grotto overspawn in 0.2.1) are being explored to restore the “surprise” factor from POE1's Atlas.
Crafting, Uniques, and Movement Speed
Crafting in Dawn of the Hunt introduced systems like Recombinators, which Jonathan sees as niche tools for dedicated grinders. The rune system, meant to replace POE1's crafting bench, is shifting as better base items reduce reliance on basic runes. However, attribute requirements and resistance shuffling remain pain points. Jonathan is considering slight reductions in gem attribute requirements but wants to maintain their role in preventing overpowered builds.
Unique items are another focus. Many low-level uniques feel cool but lack endgame scaling. GGG is working on higher-tier uniques for 0.2.1 and beyond, with drop rates being adjusted—items like Astromendus, currently rarer than a mirror, will become more accessible by pooling uniques together, as in POE1. Movement speed, a common complaint, is also under review. While baseline speed matches POE1, Jonathan hinted at 0.3.0 changes to improve player pace without breaking combat animations.
Campaign and New Player Experience
POE2's campaign has been polarizing, with some veterans viewing it as too slow. Jonathan believes addressing movement speed and removing crawl difficulty will alleviate these concerns, as the campaign's length isn't significantly longer than POE1's. For new players, GGG plans to introduce a tutorial quest in Act 1 to teach crafting basics, like transmuting weapons, to improve early-game progression.
FAQs About Path of Exile 2 Updates
When will the next POE2 patch release?
GGG is targeting a four-month cycle, with the next POE2 patch expected two months after the June 13, 2025, POE1 league launch, likely around August 2025.
Why are some skills dominating the endgame?
Skills like Lightning Spear scale better due to their design (e.g., bouncing mechanics). GGG plans to buff underperforming skills, like fire and chaos, in patches 0.2.2 and 0.3.0.
Will weapon swapping be improved?
Yes, GGG is exploring ways to reduce swap speed penalties, possibly scaling with attack speed, with changes planned for 0.3.0. The lock weapon tech is also expected in 0.3.0.
How is GGG addressing endgame progression issues?
More mid-tier content, like additional Breach bosses, will be added to smooth progression. Patch 0.3.0 will improve this, with 0.4.0 aiming for a polished experience.
What's the plan for unique item drop rates?
GGG is adjusting drop rates for rare uniques (e.g., Astromendus) by pooling them with other uniques, making them more accessible in future patches.
Thanks for Reading
Jonathan's interview offers a glimpse into GGG's dedication to refining Path of Exile 2 while balancing Path of Exile 1 updates. From locked release dates to skill buffs and endgame tweaks, the team is listening to player feedback and working to enhance the experience. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more updates, and happy grinding in Wraeclast!
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