Path of Exile Open Weekend Starts Friday

Grinding Gear Games is preparing another three days of open playtesting for Path of Exile this weekend (September 14th through the 16th), as indicated by the following email we received from the action RPG’s lead designer Chris Wilson earlier today.

Dark and deep action RPG Path of Exile will be open to everyone this weekend, September 14-16, so that we can stress-test our servers in preparation for entering Open Beta in a few months.

If you’ve been patiently waiting to try Path of Exile’s dark and customizable gameplay, now is your chance to check out the game – for one weekend only.

The game has been in Closed Beta since last August and we have been regularly adding new content, classes and skills. The latest patch adds new skills, more keystone passives, additional quest content, substantially improved minion functionality and introduces a new look for item hovers in-game.

The Open Weekend will include the first two acts of the game, our special end-game maps, Default and Hardcore leagues, six character classes, approximately 70 active skills, 40 support gems and hundreds of item types. We’ve added a host of unique items designed by Brother Laz, author of the popular Diablo 2 mod Median XL, and our ‘˜Diamond Supporter’ fans.

We will make the game servers public from 5pm on Friday 14 September Pacific Daylight Time until 11:59pm on Sunday. Over 55,000 people played during our last Open Weekend in July. Any feedback you provide this weekend will help us get ready for our permanent Open Beta.

Check out the FAQ about the Open Weekend at www.pathofexile.com/publicweekend/.

And here’s some pertinent information from the FAQ:

2. What are the specific times that I can play?

We will make the servers public at 5pm on Friday (September 14), Pacific Daylight Time. This is noon Saturday (September 15) in New Zealand. This link will help you convert to other timezones.

The public weekend ends at 11:59pm on Sunday (September 16), Pacific Daylight Time. This is 7pm on Monday (September 17) in New Zealand. This link will help you convert to other timezones.

3. Can I download the game client in advance?

Yes. You can download it here!

4. I have never signed up for an account at pathofexile.com. Can I still play?

Definitely! An account is required to play but you can create one at any time, even while the event is running. These accounts can be upgraded to Closed Beta accounts after the event if a Beta key is added to them (and of course, they become full game accounts once we enter Open Beta).

5. How do I start playing?

Just create an account, download the client, then start playing when the public weekend is live! If you have problems, please post in the forums and we’ll try to help.