Significant changes are coming to the iconic systems of the action RPG 'Path of Exile (PoE)' after 13 years. Developer Grinding Gear Games announced via a developer update on the 17th that they have decided to remove the socket color system—a core gear customization element—to lower the barrier to entry for new players.

For years, Path of Exile has required players to match skill gems to the corresponding red, green, or blue sockets on their gear. However, this has acted as a hurdle for newcomers, who often find the need to align colors every time they swap equipment to be cumbersome.

Starting with the upcoming expansion, 'Curse of the Allflame', most sockets will be unified into a neutral grey, allowing any skill gem to be slotted in freely, with only a few exceptions. The developers explained that this change was an essential move to attract new players and help those who previously left due to the game's complexity to return. While there were internal concerns about potentially undermining the game's core identity, internal reviews ultimately showed a predominantly positive response. Additionally, the Crafting Bench, which allows players to imbue gear with essential stats, will now be available in every town, not just in private hideouts, significantly improving accessibility.

Meanwhile, this expansion also brings a massive rework to long-neglected content like Abyss and Legion. In particular, the Abyss content will be changed to follow rifts across the ground to hunt monsters, similar to the upcoming sequel, Path of Exile 2. The developers plan to continue revamping existing systems in future leagues, with Bestiary content currently being discussed as a likely next target.

The new Path of Exile expansion, 'Curse of the Allflame', is set to launch on July 24.