Path of Exile 2 - Release in 2024? Easy Respec? Endgame, Beta & More - Interviewing Jonathan Rogers

- 🎙️ Jonathan Rogers, game director of Path of Exile 2, discusses the upcoming game in an interview.
- 🎮 The main focus is on the endgame content in Path of Exile 2.
- 🧠 Jonathan acknowledges the importance of a diverse and challenging endgame experience.
- 🚀 The game will start with limited endgame content during the Beta and Early Access period.
- 🗺️ In-game map system and other mechanics will be available, but not as extensive as in Path of Exile 1 initially.
- 🌐 The goal is to have a substantial amount of endgame content by the full release of the game.
- 🏞️ Pinnacle bosses are planned, with a storyline to make the endgame engaging and interesting.
- 🔄 Post-launch updates will focus on expanding endgame content and will be integrated into every league cycle.
- 🕒 The Beta duration is expected to be around six months, with a possibility of extending if necessary.
- 🚀 The transition from Beta to full release will be seamless, with minimal downtime for players.
- 🤔 The team aims for a high-quality beta experience, hoping to surpass the standards of many AAA game releases.
- 🌐 The Beta is anticipated to include a large number of players to thoroughly test the in-game economy.
- 📈 Supporters can access the Beta, and the team aims for widespread participation to ensure a robust testing environment.- 💡 **Beta Testing Challenges:**
  - Testing timeline challenges discussed.
  - Difficulty in allocating sufficient time for testing before release.

- 💬 **Alpha Release Info:**
  - Mention of an alpha release for Path of Exile 2.
  - Emphasis on secrecy around alpha details.

- 🔄 **Iterative Development:**
  - Studio's fast and loose approach to development.
  - Limited time for extended alpha testing due to quick iteration.

- 🕹️ **Beta Content and Wipes:**
  - Discussion on a separate beta league.
  - Possibility of keeping characters from beta but with potential changes.
  - Beta resets and potential fresh economy starts.

- 🚀 **Beta Content Rollouts:**
  - Expectation of substantial content during beta.
  - Comparisons to a mini-league launch within the beta.

- 🎮 **Interacting with Players:**
  - Excitement about engaging with players during development.
  - Desire to get back into the mode of playing the game and making changes.

- 🌐 **Transition from Beta to Launch:**
  - Uncertainty about having a league at launch.
  - The need for a noticeable change from the last beta league.

- 🗓️ **Leagues and Expansions Model:**
  - Following a similar model to PoE1 with three-month cycles.
  - Larger expansions approximately once a year, focusing on endgame content.
  - Flexibility to adapt based on the evolving needs of the game.

- 🌐 **Expansions and Class Additions:**
  - Discussion on potential class additions.
  - Mention of not adding base classes but considering more ascendancy classes in the future.- 💬 The S (Scion) class might not make a return due to complexities in skill tree planning and design considerations.
- 🔄 The center of the skill tree posed challenges in determining the paths and allocation of points for various classes.
- 🚫 The speaker doesn't think the S is necessary anymore with the current classes in the game.
- 🔄 The skill tree in Path of Exile 2 still allows for cross-class combinations and diverse character builds.
- 🌐 Passive tree preview before the beta launch is likely, but a full reveal might come closer to the release.
- 💰 Gold will play a role in the trading system, with an interface on the website for searching and instant buyouts.
- 🔄 The non-gold-based player-to-player trade will still be available, and the web interface may be used for both systems.
- 🔄 The web interface may have a checkbox for instant buyouts, while traditional player-to-player trade remains an option.
- 🔄 The gold system aims to feel reasonable, and the balance will be adjusted to encourage usage without making the other system obsolete.
- 🔄 Currency trading may have a different system, and there might be an in-game interface for it without the need for a website.
- 🔄 The goal of SSF (Solo Self-Found) isn't necessarily to incentivize everyone; there's a focus on providing game modes for different preferences.
- 🔄 The speaker expresses some hesitation about adding extra rewards or bonuses for SSF, as it might not align with the intended experience.
- 🔄 The stance on SSF incentives may have softened a bit, but there's still a consideration of the impact on player satisfaction.- 🔄 **Migration Concerns:**
  - Migration from SSF to trade leagues raises concerns.
  - Maintaining sanctity of SSF while allowing migration is a delicate balance.
  - Adding advantages to SSF may complicate migration solutions.

- 🌐 **Item Exchange in Last Epoch:**
  - Last Epoch restricts the exchange of specific items, addressing migration concerns.
  - There's skepticism about whether this approach completely eliminates migration issues.

- 🔍 **Quality of Life Features:**
  - Auto pickup for gold is implemented for convenience.
  - Pickup radius as a stat is not currently planned.
  - Auto stashing has limitations to maintain the game's challenge.

- 🎚️ **Inventory Space and Item Size:**
  - Inventory space remains the same; no significant changes.
  - Disapproval of one-slot items due to preference for realistic representation and RPG feel.

- 🧹 **Reducing Loot and Loot Filters:**
  - Efforts to make loot more relevant by reducing currency and items.
  - In-game loot filters exist but lack an interface for customization.
  - Reluctance to add an in-game interface, preferring community tools like FilterBlade.

- 🖥️ **Community Tools vs. In-Game Features:**
  - Skepticism about the necessity of in-game loot filter customization.
  - Advocacy for community tools being more adaptable and user-friendly.
  - Emphasis on players being capable of creating interfaces for customization.

- 🌐 **Online Tools and Game Client Integration:**
  - Advocacy for having tools outside the game client, such as Wikis and loot filters.
  - Belief that a web browser provides a better experience for extensive information.
  - Concerns about pushing everything into the game client, preferring multitasking on a PC.

- 🤔 **Addressing Annoyances and User Experience:**
  - Questioning the source of annoyance regarding external tools.
  - Emphasizing personal preference for multitasking and using external tools for a better user experience.- 🎮 **Immersion Breakage:** Opening an external wiki during gameplay can break the immersion and flow of the game, affecting the overall experience.

- 📚 **In-Game Wiki:** A suggestion to have an in-game Wiki similar to Baldur's Gate 3, allowing players to lock popups and get more information about individual mechanics without leaving the game.

- 🔍 **Advanced Tool Tips:** The idea of having more advanced tooltips that can be opened selectively or through a keypress is considered helpful, potentially eliminating the need for a full in-game Wiki.

- 📖 **Community Resources:** Acknowledgment of community resources like guides and websites, but emphasis on ensuring that essential mechanics are explained in the game itself.

- 🌐 **External Browser:** Expressing uncertainty about whether opening a Wiki in the game client or an external browser makes a significant difference in immersion.

- ⚙️ **Game Mechanics Explanation:** The importance of having basic information about game mechanics, like how Energy Shield works, explained within the game to avoid the need for external references.

- 🛠️ **Improved Help in Game:** Mentioning plans for improved in-game help, including tooltips about mechanics when items mention them.

- 🔄 **Interaction with UI:** Confirmation that players will be able to manipulate their inventory while using WSD movement, acknowledging potential advantages for racers.

- 🗺️ **Radius Visualization:** Consideration of adding a clear way to show the radius in-game, possibly through extra tooltips or a button press to display a circle around the character.

- 🔧 **Crafting Vision:** The desire for players to engage with crafting more frequently in Path of Exile 2, attempting to make it a common interaction with items.

- 🧩 **Crafting Systems Integration:** Mention of plans to limit the scope of certain crafting systems, making them applicable to specific item types or mods to prevent a combinatorial explosion of interactions.

- 🔍 **Scope Limitation:** Exploring the idea of limiting the scope of crafting systems to specific item types or mods to maintain a variety of interesting interactions without overwhelming complexity.- 🎮 **Variety in Systems**: The speaker enjoys having a variety of systems in games that interact in interesting ways, enhancing player engagement and exploration.

- 🛠️ **Crafting Dynamics**: Discusses the impact of crafting in games, emphasizing the need for both high-end and more frequent, accessible crafting opportunities to keep players engaged.

- 🔄 **Economy and Item Usage**: Highlights concerns about the economy and item usage in games, specifically around crafting and the importance of making each action with items meaningful.

- 🎲 **Balance Between Randomness and Control**: The conversation touches on finding the right balance in game mechanics, particularly crafting, to avoid excessive randomness while still maintaining a sense of unpredictability and engagement.

- 🗺️ **Map Crafting and Economy**: Examines the challenges and considerations in designing a balanced and engaging system for crafting maps in games, ensuring that players feel rewarded without making the process too predictable or exploitable.

- 💡 **Influence from Other Games**: While the speaker draws inspiration from a broad range of games, not just ARPGs, they acknowledge the importance of learning from the genre's evolving standards, especially in areas like trade systems.

- 🔄 **Evolving Game Design**: Reflects on how player expectations and industry standards influence game design decisions, especially regarding systems like crafting and trading in ARPGs.- 🎮 The decision to create a sequel was driven by the need to stay part of the Next Generation of action RPGs.
- 🔄 Emphasis on modernizing and innovating to maintain and grow the player base.
- 🤔 Concerns about plateauing and potential decline led to the decision to start a new project.
- 🗨️ Diablo 4 (D4) and Path of Exile 2 (P2) comparison:
  - 🤺 Combat feel is a significant difference, with P2 aiming for a more action game style.
  - 🔄 Embracing complexity and depth, with P2 having more tools for players.
  - 🌐 Live service approach comparison, with a belief in handling long-term maintenance differently.
- 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Player solo vs. group friendliness:
  - 🤔 All content in P2 should be playable solo, but open to improving group features.
  - 🔄 Balance between solo and group play to ensure equal rewards and enjoyment.
  - 🌐 Acknowledgment of the evolving gaming ecosystem with third-party platforms like Discord.
- 🤝 Social tools discussion:
  - 🧐 Notice board feature in P2, with potential room for improvement.
  - 🤝 Emphasis on whether to promote making friends within the game.
  - ❓ Open question on how to best facilitate and promote social interactions.
- 🔄 Cross-build synergy in P2:
  - 🔄 Natural cross-build synergy due to the physical sense of interactions between skills.
  - 🤯 Concerns about potential excess cross-build synergy and its impact on multiplayer advantage.
- 🚀 Future considerations for in-game solutions like LFG features:
  - 🤔 Concerns about promoting the idea of being carried through the game.
  - 🌐 Discussions on potential in-game solutions for group activities and carries.
  - ❓ Open question on balancing in-game features with player agency and self-accomplishment.- 💬 **In-Game Solutions:**
  - Developers discussed addressing certain behaviors in the game but decided against implementing in-game solutions.
  - Current tools allow players to create groups for specific activities, but they are not widely utilized.

- 🎮 **Game Philosophy on Builds:**
  - Developers want everything to be possible in the game but acknowledge the trade-off in effectiveness for one-button builds.
  - Embrace automation but balance it with Spirit cost, encouraging players to make strategic choices in their builds.

- 🔄 **Build Complexity and Gameplay:**
  - Path of Exile 2 builds may involve more actions, combos, and decision-making compared to PoE1.
  - Complexity in gameplay is intended, but developers emphasize the importance of player choice and the possibility of one-button builds.

- 🌐 **Player Progression and Difficulty:**
  - Players are expected to progress in difficulty based on their ability to handle challenges and the economic benefits gained.
  - The campaign may lack the economic barrier, but extra goals and objectives provide additional challenges.

- 🤔 **Addressing Power Creep:**
  - Developers acknowledge the potential for power creep but emphasize the challenge of quantifying balance decisions.
  - While one-button builds may become effective at high levels, the goal is to maintain engaging content that requires thoughtful engagement.

- 📉 **Avoiding Rapid Power Creep:**
  - Developers aim to prevent the game from becoming too easy too quickly, learning from past experiences in Path of Exile 1.
  - Acknowledgement of the importance of balancing the difficulty curve to ensure engaging gameplay even at high levels.- 💪 Acknowledgment of challenges: "not going to say currently we have like an extremely high power level"
- 🚢 Metaphor about the state of the game: "the ship has kind of sailed at this point"
- 🤔 Questioning the status quo: "has the ship sailed on pee1 balance or has it?"
- 🔄 Desire for balance restoration: "should we rebalance pee1 to the point where it's more like how it was about three or four years ago"
- 😕 Studio dissatisfaction with recent game state: "I don't think anyone here is really happy with the level of what's gone on in the last few years"
- 🛠️ Balancing challenges and player satisfaction: "don't rock the boat so much... it always has to be fun"
- 🌐 Crossplay consideration: "we're going to be talking about that a little bit later"
- 🎮 Philosophy on game-breaking issues: "during the beta, we have to reserve the right to fix things that will break your build"
- 🛑 Approach to overpowered builds post-release: "we kind of don't really want to screw around too much with that"
- 🛠️ Change in Respec system: "current Respec system actually uses gold, cheaper at low levels and more expensive at high levels"
- ❓ Uncertainty about Alret's existence: "my current impulse is no for that"
- 🎮 Plans for in-game competition: "cool to have more things that you can compete on," considering more ladders and competitions.
- 🔄 **Meta Classes in PoE2**
  - In PoE1, meta classes were somewhat behind ranged play styles.
  - In PoE2, efforts have been made to balance and improve melee, addressing animation problems from the previous version.
  - The motivation for changes in PoE2 includes significant improvements to melee.

- 🎲 **Bad Luck Protection**
  - Question about implementing a bad luck protection system for drops.
  - Sympathy is limited, emphasizing the impact of large numbers ensuring eventual rewards.
  - Changes in the game mechanics might address the issue.

- 🎭 **Critical Strikes**
  - Critical strike system has changed in PoE2.
  - Specific details about the changes are not recalled.
  - Changes involve stats available in the skill tree and items, affecting how crit works.

- 🖥️ **Third-Party Tools**
  - Devs prefer minimizing the need for third-party mods in the game client.
  - Open to websites and external tools but cautious about actual client modifications.

- 🏹 **Dodge Roll Modification**
  - Possible modifications to the dodge roll, influenced by spirit reservations and other factors.
  - Stacking dodge roll distance unlikely but some interesting changes are introduced.

- 🔍 **Mirror Rarity**
  - The Mirror of Kalandra remains rare in PoE2.
  - Intended for high-end gameplay and still a scarce and valuable item.

- 🛠️ **Crafting Bench and Recipe Unlocking**
  - No details shared about the crafting bench and recipe unlocking.
  - Devs reluctant to discuss crafting bench specifics at this time.

- 🎮 **Seamless Transition: Keyboard, Mouse, Controller**
  - Ability to switch between keyboard/mouse and controller with a button press.
  - No mention of additional seamless transition features.

- ⏩ **Skip Campaign or Boosting**
  - No plans for skipping the campaign or boosting characters.
  - The second character in a league benefits from better gear and resources, making the campaign faster.

- 🔄 **Campaign Difficulty on Subsequent Characters**
  - Campaign inherently easier on subsequent characters due to accumulated resources and better items.
  - The advantage of faster progression on the second character is acknowledged.

- 🚀 **Campaign Unlockable Advantages**
  - No plans for specific unlocks to fast forward the campaign.
  - The inherent advantages of a second character in a league are recognized.

- 🔄 **Repeat Questions and Wrap-Up**
  - The interviewer acknowledges that many questions have been previously answered in various interviews.
  - Wrapping up the interview, expressing gratitude for the insights shared by Jonathan, the game director of PoE2.