Home Path of Exile 2 release times – when can you play?

Path of Exile 2 release times – when can you play?

It’s almost time for Path of Exile 2 to release, some five years after it was first announced as the sequel to the highly popular Path of Exile. The original game stretches all the way back to 2013 so we are well beyond the decade mark now since we first encountered the series.

Like many games that entered development around the 2019 period, pandemic delays hit hard and we have now had to wait until 6th December 2024 to finally see the fruits of Grinding Gears labors with the early access launch.

So after all that waiting time, when will you actually be able to jump in and play? Let’s find out how it affects you, wherever you are in the world.

Path of Exile 2 regional release times

Don’t you just hate it when websites just give you a long list of time zones for a game release? Well worry not, we are still going to do that (heh) but the official Path of Exile 2 website has a handy countdown clock running that will tell you in your time zone when the Early Access of the game launches.

Meanwhile, here are those slots for the 6th of December if you don’t want to do that.

CEST: 9 pm
EST: 2 pm
GMT: 7 pm
PST: 11 am

Can you preload Path of Exile 2?

Following a post on the official Path of Exile X account we know that Grinding Gears will make the PC client available for download on 5th December (5 PM PST) so that you can download and install the game ahead of launch. This may mitigate some of the inevitable server issues, but prepare yourself for slow entry and queues potentially. A lot of people are wanting to jump in and we remember all too well the queues for Diablo IV at launch. Just be patient, get a coffee, and don’t head off and review bomb like a sheep.

Xbox players meanwhile can preload now but expect updates in the run-up to launch, and we expect a Day One patch will arrive shortly at launch as well.

To preload on PS5 you need to purchase a Supporter Pack that will allow preload around 24 hours before the launch.

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Paul McNally
Gaming Editor

Paul McNally has been around consoles and computers since his parents bought him a Mattel Intellivision in 1980. He has been a prominent games journalist since the 1990s, spending over a decade as editor of popular print-based video games and computer magazines, including a market-leading PlayStation title published by IDG Media. Having spent time as Head of Communications at a professional sports club and working for high-profile charities such as the National Literacy Trust, he returned as Managing Editor in charge of large US-based technology websites in 2020. Paul has written high-end gaming content for GamePro, Official Australian PlayStation Magazine,…

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