Path of Exile 3.26 pushes the free ARPG away from PoE 2, so both can coexist

Path of Exile 3.26, Secrets of the Atlas, launches this week alongside the new Mercenaries of Trarthus challenge league. It’s a long-awaited moment for the hardcore champion of ARPGs; the free-to-play game hasn’t had a new season since Settlers of Kalguur in July 2024, with PoE 2’s early-access launch taking all of developer Grinding Gear Games’ attention. As it makes its grand return, I sat down with game director Mark ‘Neon’ Roberts to talk about the new PoE league, returning to a four-month cycle, and whether the success of Path of Exile 2 has changed how GGG approaches its predecessor.