A few days ago, Grinding Gear Games officially announced a new league for Path of Exile, titled Secrets of the Atlas. Details about its content will remain under wraps until June 5th, but the developers have already introduced a long-awaited feature.
Pause Functionality in PoE
In an initial video showcasing new Quality of Life improvements, GGG introduced the ability to pause the game at any time. This feature will be accessible in three scenarios:
- When the ESC key is pressed;
- When accessing any full-screen menu, such as the passive skills tree;
- If the game detects lag or a server disconnection.
The pause function won’t be available everywhere. Certain areas, like arenas with pinnacle bosses, will include a “pause debuff” to prevent abuse.
The community has responded positively to this feature, which isn’t surprising given that players have been requesting it for years. Interestingly, Path of Exile 2 already includes this functionality, which has attracted new fans.
As a parent, I believe this change is a significant improvement.
Hardcore mode will finally be playable.
Critics of the new feature include speedrunners. Pausing during the skill tree could disrupt their runs, as they may lose valuable time. However, GGG may consider adjustments to address these concerns.
Path of Exile remains free to play on PC, XOne, and PS4. Thanks to backward compatibility, it’s also accessible on PS5 and XSX/S.