Path of Exile 2 Announced Release Date for Version 1.0 at Gamescom 2026
Grinding Gear Games officially showcased version 1.0 of Path of Exile 2 during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. The company had been hinting at a special announcement at the event for some time, and finally, the long-awaited announcement arrived. The full version of the game will be released on December 11, 2026. Moreover, this won’t just be a small transition like “the early access label is being removed”; significant changes are being prepared for the campaign, endgame, character development, abilities, and loot system.
Path of Exile 2 Transitioning to Full Release on December 11
The most important news from the Gamescom presentation was clearly the date of December 11, 2026. Version 1.0 of Path of Exile 2 will also be released on PlayStation 5 on the same day. With the full release, Grinding Gear Games plans to expand the game’s current structure and gather feedback received during early access under a larger update.
The full release won’t just add a few new missions. While new content will be added to the campaign, the endgame structure will also be expanded. Extensive changes to character development, skill systems, and loot balance have also been confirmed. This means even long-time players may need to relearn many systems with version 1.0.
Another great thing for players attending Gamescom is that the new content will be playable in the event area. Grinding Gear Games announced before the fair that they had prepared a special demo at their booth in Hall 6.1. Thus, some of the new features coming in version 1.0 were not only seen in the trailer but also made directly available to try out.
Path of Exile 2 already had a constantly changing structure during its early access period, but the 1.0 update seems to be the game’s real turning point. With the full release on December 11th, Grinding Gear Games is preparing to offer the game with a more settled campaign, a larger endgame, and a revamped progression system.
To see all the announcements, new games, and trailers from Gamescom 2026 in one place, check out our Gamescom 2026 dedicated page.
