Path of Exile 2 Experiences a Surge in Steam Players
Path of Exile 2 has recently gained immense popularity on Steam, with the player base swelling to nearly 30 times its regular size over a recent weekend. The action RPG has drawn attention due to various factors that converged during this period.
Since Path of Exile 2 launched in early access back in December 2024, its player numbers peaked at a whopping 578,569 simultaneous users, although this count has since diminished. However, recent numbers reflected another significant upsurge.
Major Weekend Player Boost
On August 31, Path of Exile 2 reached over 353,000 simultaneous players on Steam, as reported by SteamDB. This marked the highest player count since the game was initially released. Prior to this surge, the player numbers averaged around 10,000 to 15,000.
The spike in players can be attributed to the game becoming free-to-play during a promotional weekend coinciding with the launch of its “Third Edict” update. While typically a paid game requiring a minimum $30 support pack, the developers at Grinding Gear Games opened access to all during the festivities, which likely fueled the impressive number of players.
Continued Popularity Amid Updates
Following the launch of the new Third Edict expansion on August 29, players have returned to the game. This update introduced a new Act as well as new areas on the Karui archipelago, alongside fresh bosses and additional content for returning players. The update has received positive feedback for enhancing the gameplay experience.
While the peak player count may decline as the window for free access closes, the significant rise reflects a promising resurgence for Path of Exile 2, ensuring it remains a contender in the gaming scene.
