Grinding Gear’s PC action-RPG has been in pre-order beta for a while now, but all and sundry will get to play Path of Exile from January 23. Path of Exile will run as free-to-play when it launches, funded by micro-transactions for pretty things like dyes, pets, and unique looks for items and spells. “We are completely opposed to the concept of ‘pay2win,’” Grinding Gear says.
Those who want to jump on the Path of Exile closed beta while it still lasts can buy in for $10 to $1,000 right here. The more you pay the better goodies you get, but don’t expect any gameplay advantages. Path of Exile will never be pay-to-win, Grinding Gear makes clear.
Path of Exile throws players into the fantastical world of Wraeclast as one of six character classes: Duelist, Ranger, Witch, Templar, Marauder, and Shadow. Each character focuses on strength, dexterity, or intelligence, and the world itself is “a dark, brutal continent,” Grinding Gear writes. “Scarred by mysterious catastrophes of the past and inhabited by creatures of nightmare, the very environment challenges exiles who dare explore it.
Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. We’re a small independent team of hardcore gamers based in New Zealand and have created Path of Exile as the game that we’d want to play ourselves. It is designed around a strong barter-based online item economy, deep character customisation, and competitive PvP and ladder races. The game is completely free and will never be “pay to win”. Path of Exile is currently in Closed Beta and will enter Open Beta on January 23, 2013. If you’d like to gain access to the Closed Beta, please purchase a supporter pack here
