Grinding Gear Games’ Path of Exile saw a slight delay to its 3.21 expansion. However, as it gears up to reveal more, it’s confirmed that there won’t be balance manifestos leading up to its release.
Balance manifestos were used to communicate why some changes are made and provide time to gather feedback on changes. These are before the actual patch notes are posted, and usually exist outside of reveal streams. However, over time, the developer feels that some changes require the context that a livestream or video provides.
“Sometimes there’s just so much numerical detail that the balance manifesto reads like a set of patch notes, weirdly detached from the rest of the actual patch notes that you need to understand the context and plan your builds.”
To that end, balance changes for the 3.21 expansion will be explained on a livestream, with full patch notes coming on the day of the announcement. The developer says there aren’t “scary systems reworks that we need to solicit feedback on ages in advance.”
“Our balance goals with 3.21 are to provide more options and fun for as many builds as possible rather than reworking game systems in potentially disruptive ways. While there are some small nerfs, 3.21 is most definitely not a nerf-fest.” Though it didn’t outline when the livestream showcasing changes would happen, Grinding Gear Games said it “can’t wait” to unveil them.
Path of Exile’s 3.21 expansion is currently planned for early April, so stay tuned for updates on its reveal.