Earlier this week, we previewed patch 3.14.3 which includes internal engine improvements. The patch has just been deployed and you can find the full patch notes here or below.

Engine and Technical Changes:

In addition to the internal engine improvements in this patch, there are some technical changes for you to be aware of.

• We have replaced the old Performance Metrics graphs with new ones that show a lot more information. We now graph several different metrics on the same graph and have bars that show relative load on different systems (CPU, GPU, System Memory, VRAM, Drive, Shader Compilation, Latency and the Instance Server). If one of these bars is maxing out, then that's the current bottleneck that you should consider upgrading. If critical issues such as insufficient VRAM are noticed, then the display will alert you to this.
  
• If you are encountering performance issues and want to make a video of it to show us then please have the Performance Metrics graphs on, as they have lots of information about what is bottlenecking your performance.
  
• If the Shaders bar alerts you about shader loading/saving being critically slow, consider changing what the drive that shader cache is stored on to a faster one. In the [GENERAL] section of the settings file, you can set cache_directory=x:\path\to\preferred\location to a folder on a faster drive.
  
• Like before, you can cycle through the three Performance Metrics states (hidden, FPS/performance, latency-only) by pressing F1. In the settings file's [UI] section you can set performance_metrics_state=fps (or =latency or =hidden) to set the default state.
  
• We have added a Gameplay tab to the Options panel and tidied up the Options.
  
• We have removed the button in the Options panel that allows you to clear your local cache. This can still be done manually by advanced users that have a specific reason to. The button was causing players to clear their cache, which removes the significant performance benefits of having a cache. The cache is automatically cleared once every league launch.
  
• We have removed the 32-bit Path of Exile client. Basically no one is running 32-bit versions of Windows anymore.
  
• Vulkan users with less than 2600mb of VRAM are now unable to select High texture quality, as there isn't enough video memory for the high-quality textures. DirectX users can continue to select it, but like before, performance will suffer on low memory systems as DirectX swaps assets into and out of system memory to try to cope.

General Improvements and Crash Fixes:

• Fixed a bug where tutorial notifications were not showing on macOS.
  
• Fixed a visual bug with Celestial Toxic Rain that caused flickering white boxes.
  
• Fixed an instance crash.

We'll be keeping a close eye on players' reports of their experiences after this patch. As mentioned in the notes, if you are encountering performance issues and want to make a video of it to show us then please enable the new Performance Metrics graphs as the information will be very helpful in identifying the issue.

We look forward to your feedback about the upcoming patch.

From Aspirants to Elders, we've seen some incredible pieces of fan art shared within our community that we wanted to showcase today. Check out their works below!












We love seeing your creativity in action so if you’d like to share any artwork with us and your fellow Exiles, please post your submissions on the Community Showcase forum!

In preparation for the launch of our 3.15 expansion, we've been working on an update that includes some engine improvements and new performance metrics graphs. You can check out a preview of the patch notes in today's news post.

We're planning to deploy this patch before the end of the working week, possibly around two days from now. In the meantime, we've prepared a preview of the patch notes for you, which you can check out below.

Please note that these patch notes may be changed prior to their deployment.

Engine and Technical Changes:

• In addition to the internal engine improvements in this patch, there are some technical changes for you to be aware of.
  
• We have replaced the old Performance Metrics graphs with new ones that show a lot more information. We now graph several different metrics on the same graph and have bars that show relative load on different systems (CPU, GPU, System Memory, VRAM, Drive, Shader Compilation, Latency and the Instance Server). If one of these bars is maxing out, then that's the current bottleneck that you should consider upgrading. If critical issues such as insufficient VRAM are noticed, then the display will alert you to this.
  
• If you are encountering performance issues and want to make a video of it to show us then please have the Performance Metrics graphs on, as they have lots of information about what is bottlenecking your performance.
  
• If the Shaders bar alerts you about shader loading/saving being critically slow, consider changing what the drive that shader cache is stored on to a faster one. In the [GENERAL] section of the settings file, you can set cache_directory=x:\path\to\preferred\location to a folder on a faster drive.
  
• Like before, you can cycle through the three Performance Metrics states (hidden, FPS/performance, latency-only) by pressing F1. In the settings file's [UI] section you can set performance_metrics_state=fps (or =latency or =hidden) to set the default state.
  
• We have added a Gameplay tab to the Options panel and tidied up the Options.
  
• We have removed the button in the Options panel that allows you to clear your local cache. This can still be done manually by advanced users that have a specific reason to. The button was causing players to clear their cache, which removes the significant performance benefits of having a cache. The cache is automatically cleared once every league launch.
  
• We have removed the 32-bit Path of Exile client. Basically no one is running 32-bit versions of Windows anymore.
  
• Vulkan users with less than 2600mb of VRAM are now unable to select High texture quality, as there isn't enough video memory for the high-quality textures. DirectX users can continue to select it, but like before, performance will suffer on low memory systems as DirectX swaps assets into and out of system memory to try to cope.

General Improvements and Crash Fixes:

• Fixed a bug where tutorial notifications were not showing on macOS.
  
• Fixed a visual bug with Celestial Toxic Rain that caused flickering white boxes.
  
• Fixed an instance crash.

Path of Exile Livestream Announcement
Tune in at 1pm on July 15th (PDT) to find out all about our next expansion!

The livestream will consist of new content reveals followed by a live Q&A with ZiggyD and Chris Wilson.

You'll catch everything you need to know at http://twitch.tv/pathofexile - We welcome co-streaming so be sure to encourage your favourite streamer to watch along with us.

Path of Exile's Expansion Launch Date
You'll be able to play the new Path of Exile expansion for free on July 23rd (PDT) on PC and on July 28th (PDT) on console.

We can't wait to see you then!

On July 10th and 11th (PDT), veteran community member, streamer and racer, Havoc616, will once again host the Havoc Blitz Event! Like the last Blitz, players will compete for points in a Private Ultimatum League. The winners will share in a cash prize pool as well as microtransactions provided by us.



Changes

• No qualification process: Simply click on a Private League invite link to join.
  
• New Class Ladder: Microtransaction rewards have been provided in addition to the Overall Rank based Prize Pool.
  
• Level Points in Boss Races: Additional points in Boss Races provides ladder progression for characters that have died, those that could not finish the race objective and those that cannot stream.
  
• More Meme Races!

Schedule
Note: these are displayed in your local time.
Day 1 Start: 10th of July 8AM PDT (Countdown is available here)
Day 2 Start: 11th of July 8AM PDT (Countdown is available here)

Prize Pool:
Total Prize Pool: $2000 (USD)
Final Standings Prize Pool Split:

• 1st: 25% ($500)
  
• 2nd: 23% ($450)
  
• 3rd: 20% ($400)
  
• 4th: 18%
  ($350)
  
• 5th: 15% ($300)

Class Standings Microtransactions Prize Pool:
Class Rank:

• 1st: Stygian Hood & 12 Apollyon Mystery Boxes
  
• 2nd: Stygian Hood & 8 Apollyon Mystery Boxes
  
• 3rd: Stygian Hood & 5 Apollyon Mystery Boxes
  
• 4th: 5 Apollyon Mystery Boxes
  
• 5th: 2 Apollyon Mystery Boxes

Note: Top 5 Microtransaction Prizes are available for each class: Scion, Ranger, Duelist, Marauder, Templar, Witch & Shadow.

If you would like to catch the action live, RaizQT will be casting the event over on his Twitch channel. Highlights will also be posted on Havoc616’s YouTube Channel.

Click here to learn more about the event, how to join, the rules in place, the point system or prizes. You can also join the POE Racing Discord here.

Shout out to community members DionyzRex#7230, Brittleknee, Xayazi, DadBodGamingGod, SK_Gunoo and Faderon for their work behind the scenes to help make this event a reality.

Good luck to everyone who’s participating!

In just two days, we'll reveal a short teaser of our upcoming 3.15 expansion which will also confirm the dates of its announcement livestream and launch. That means the Ultimatum League is near its end and you may be wondering what the future looks like for this content.

The short answer is that we won't be making Ultimatum a core mechanic as part of our upcoming 3.15 expansion. However, we do like its content and may bring it back at a later date. In order to do this, it would first need a few improvements.

We would want to improve the combat of Ultimatum encounters so that the experience is less overwhelming and more tactical. While we do like things to be challenging, we currently feel that there are too many monsters spawning within the tight space of the circle and too many things going on at once.

We would also want to rebalance the rewards. The intent of Ultimatum's reward system was to make the Trialmaster's offers the main reward for the challenge. This currently isn't the case with far too many items spawning at the end of the trial. For Ultimatum to return, we would want to shift the balance back so that the Trialmaster's offers are the main reward for doing the encounter while also compensating for the item fountain being turned off.

So while you may see the Trialmaster again in the future, if you really enjoy being heckled by an undead entity of Chaos, it's best to get your kicks in now while you still can.

As we prepare for our 3.15 expansion announcement, we wanted to look back at some of the amazing fan art you've created that have been inspired by past league content. Check them out below!



















If you have any Path of Exile inspired creations that you would like to share with us and the community, be sure to post them in the Community Showcase forum.

It's been a while since our last Hideout Showcase, and we've seen some great creativity from our community that we wanted to share. For this news post we've selected several hideouts, submitted to our Hideout Showcase forum section. Check out the video below!



Here is a list of hideouts featured in this video (.hideout files are available in corresponding forum threads):

• Scientific Regalia by Woozel
  
• Temple of Elune by VeritasInvictus
  
• Astrolab, Nocturnalis by Synopsis
  
• Exile City Night Club by Fireflyxx
  
• Hanok Village on the Sea by Actoala

In the coming weeks, we'll be announcing our 3.15 expansion. At that time, we’ll introduce a new set of League Supporter Packs, which means the Ritual Supporter Packs will permanently leave the store.

There are two pairs of Ritual Supporter Packs available in the store; the Renegade Supporter Pack and the Faithsworn Supporter Pack. Each of the two pairs is designed in its own style with different contents, so you can choose whichever you prefer; or if you can’t decide, you can get both! If you have previously purchased a smaller pack, you have the option to upgrade to the larger one. All of the microtransactions included in the Supporter Packs are exclusive and will not be available in the store again.


If you're interested in getting one of the Ritual Supporter Packs but you're not sure you'll be able to do so in time, we'd recommend setting up a payment plan which can reserve a pack for you for up to three months after the commencement of your plan. Just email us in advance at support@grindinggear.com; we'll be happy to help you!


Additionally, if you have purchased any plain points packs since January 6th 2021 (PDT), you can use this in an upgrade to one of the Ritual Supporter Packs! You can credit up to 80% of the value of your desired supporter pack towards an upgrade. For example, if you purchased a $10 point pack you could then upgrade to the Renegade or Faithsworn Supporter Pack for $20. You'd then receive the remainder of the contents of the pack, excluding the points you already purchased before the upgrade.

The Ritual Supporter Packs will be replaced with the new ones on consoles alongside the launch of our next expansion.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

In the last week, Exiles have been pushing hard to reach the top of Zizaran's Class Gauntlet! With its conclusion yesterday, we thought we'd highlight more of the great moments captured by the community. Check them out by clicking here!