Grinding Gear Games has officially launched the Early Access version of Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt on April 4, 2025. Players can join the action by purchasing Early Access Supporter Packs, which include exclusive microtransactions and physical goods. The development team is actively providing live updates throughout launch day, including a workaround for a known Vulkan renderer issue affecting some players.
Dawn of the Hunt Early Access Details
The highly anticipated Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt Early Access has officially gone live on April 4, 2025. This marks a significant milestone for Grinding Gear Games' sequel to their popular free-to-play action RPG, set 20 years after the events of the original game.
To participate in the Early Access phase, players need to purchase one of the available Early Access Supporter Packs. These packs not only grant immediate access to the game but also come with exclusive microtransactions and physical merchandise for dedicated fans of the series.
The development team is maintaining a dedicated forum thread with live updates throughout the launch day, ensuring players stay informed about any issues or important announcements.
Technical Issues and Solutions
As with many major game launches, Path of Exile 2 is experiencing some technical hiccups. At 11:34 AM PDT on April 4, 2025, Grinding Gear Games acknowledged an issue affecting players using the Vulkan renderer, which has been causing crashes for some users attempting to launch the game.
Fortunately, the team has provided a straightforward workaround for affected players. Those experiencing crashes can modify their renderer settings by navigating to the configuration file located at:
Documents\My Games\Path of Exile 2\poe2_production_Config.ini
Within this file, players should change:
renderer_type=Vulkan to renderer_type=DirectX12
This simple modification should allow players experiencing the Vulkan-related crashes to successfully launch and play the game using DirectX12 instead, while the development team works on a more permanent solution.
What's Included in Dawn of the Hunt?
While specific details about the Dawn of the Hunt content are still emerging, we know this Early Access release represents the first playable version of Path of Exile 2 available to the public. The sequel promises to build upon the original's deep customization systems with a revamped Skill Gem system and 12 character classes to choose from.
The game takes place in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast, 20 years after the events of the original Path of Exile. Players can expect the same level of depth and complexity that made the original game a standout in the ARPG genre, with numerous improvements to graphics, gameplay systems, and overall quality of life.
Community Response
The community response to the Early Access launch has been overwhelmingly positive, with players expressing their excitement on the official forums. Comments like "I'M SO READY!" and "TIME TO LOGIN GUYS" highlight the enthusiasm surrounding this release.
Some players have also indicated they'll be streaming their early experiences with the game, providing those still on the fence about purchasing Early Access an opportunity to see the game in action before making a decision.
For those interested in following the launch more closely, Grinding Gear Games is also posting updates on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, which may be especially useful if the main website experiences high traffic volumes during the launch period.
Looking Ahead
While this Early Access release represents just the beginning of Path of Exile 2's journey, it provides players with their first hands-on experience with the highly anticipated sequel. The full release is scheduled for December 6, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, PC (Windows), and Xbox Series X|S.
As with the original game, Path of Exile 2 will maintain a free-to-play model for its full release, with optional microtransactions for cosmetic items. The Early Access period allows dedicated fans to support the development while gaining exclusive items and early access to the evolving game world.
We'll continue to monitor the launch and provide updates on any significant developments or additional content reveals as they become available.