Microtransaction Roundup - Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients

We've released a range of new cosmetics following the launch of Return of the Ancients.

Embrace the night with the Vampire's Portal and matching Weapon Effect, and complete the look with the Blood Moon skill set. For something a little more playful, transform into a panda with the Panda Bear Shapeshift Effect.

The Vaal Chronoseer collection has also expanded with new Temporal Chains and Blink effects, while Mercenary players can outfit their lightning-based crossbow skills with the new Sulphite Skill Effects.

Poison-focused archers can take advantage of the Night Lotus Skill Effects, Bow, and Quiver, while spellcasters looking for a darker aesthetic can explore the new Darkshard Elemental Skill Effects, featuring striking red, black, and purple visuals across a range of lightning skills.

Check out the cosmetics roundup in the video below, or visit the shop to learn more.

We are seeking a Senior PHP Web Programmer to join our web development team in Auckland, New Zealand.

Location: On-site in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand
*Relocation assistance (for the right candidate if needed)
Full-time position - 40 hours a week

In this role you will provide end to end software development services across the full web development lifecycle, spanning design, planning, implementation, debugging, maintenance and code review.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the ongoing development and modernisation of the Path of Exile websites along with front-facing features including the forums, trade website, microtransaction shop, and game-related features.
• Build and maintain new features and tools that support our internal teams and improve the experience for our players.
• Create, maintain, and improve APIs for the game client and servers to use for in-game features including moderation and administration of the game and user accounts.

Requirements:

• 4-5+ years of commercial Web Programmer experience.
• Experience with modern PHP MVC / ORM frameworks (preferably Laminas / Doctrine).
• Front-end TypeScript and CSS / SASS experience.
• Experience with live service products or games as a service
• Familiarity with player facing web platforms (storefronts, community tools, account systems)
• Experience with Linux and command-line tools
• Experience with SQL
• Experience with Nginx

Experience with the following is a bonus:

• API design
• Payment Systems
• Vue3
• Redis
• Our game, Path of Exile

How to apply

If you meet the above requirements, please email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected] with your name and role you are applying for in the subject line.

No phone calls or agencies, please.

Introducing the Stag Launcher! This Spirit Walker build by Phylaris invests fully into the Vivid Stampede ascendancy skill, using dodge-roll and grenade shenanigans to pull it off. Check it out!



Thanks to Phylaris for putting this build together. Check out their video here for more information.

See you next time!

The first two weeks of Return of the Ancients have come and gone, leaving behind a trail of triumphs and hard-fought battles. Together with Lily, our Data Analyst, we've unearthed a collection of highlights that capture the scale of the journey so far. Check out this snapshot of sacrifices made, legends forged, and the most-used skills:







The Return of the Ancients has left a staggering toll across Wraeclast.

• Players opened 219,088,375 Waystones and completed 6,187,370 Unique Maps. Over 8 Trillion Gold was collected.
• 262,915,249 Tablets were used when activating Waystones, with 59,115,949 of them being Abyss Tablets.
• 1,633,511 Maps were overrun by the Abyss, and 1,290,936 Corrupted Nexuses were cleansed.
• Yet every triumph came at a cost. Across the Standard leagues, 170,236,613 Exiles were slain, while 178,753 brave souls met their end in Hardcore.
• The most-played Ascendancies were the Martial Artist, Spirit Walker, and Deadeye, leading the charge against the darkness.
• As for the Arbiter of Divinity, the celestial being was struck down 1,249,367 times, proving that even divine power can be challenged.

Most-Used Skills Across All Realms

• Barrage
• Frost Bomb
• Whirling Slash
• Ice-Tipped Arrows
• Twister

Top 5 Deadliest Bosses

• Arbiter of Ash - 3,516,457 Exiles slain
• Arbiter of Divinity - 2,789,506
• The Bodach - 1,519,439
• Count Geonor (Western Enigma) - 1,284,693
• The Vessel of Kulemak - 909,001