The devs need more time.
Image of an isometric action-RPG showing a player character and several enemy creatures.

A beta for Path of Exile 2 was expected to be available to select participants in early June 2024. Specifically, Grinding Gear Games say that they wanted to get the beta out by June 7th. Sadly, fans eager for the next installment of their favorite action-RPG will have quite a bit longer to wait.

On Twitter, Grinding Gear Games said that while they think they would be able to get the beta's content ready in time for that deadline, they wouldn't have enough time to get things polished to a point they are happy with.

As a result of this, there will be an alpha for Path of Exile 2 that begins in June. The planned beta shifts from June 7 to some time nearer to the end of the year.

Path of Exile 2's beta is going to be delayed.

We previously said that we would get the beta out on June 7th and while we think we would be able to get the game’s content ready in time, we underestimated how long it will take to get gameplay polished to a standard we’re happy with.

We’re still going to be doing alpha testing in June, but we are going to be delaying the beta until later in the year.

We don’t have an exact date for you yet, but it should be towards the end of the year.
Path of Exile 2 began life as an expansion to the first game but transitioned into a full blown sequel after several years of development and COVID-related delays. The sequel will continue the story that began in Path of Exile and, like Path of Exile, will continue to be a free-to-play title with optional cosmetic and quality-of-life microtransactions. The two games will have a shared platform that allows some cosmetics and items to carry over to the sequel.