After a successful first Public Stress Test Weekend a month ago, The Path of Exile Beta servers will be once again open to the public for the weekend of May 11-13. Below is a list of answers to frequently asked questions, explaining the details of how it works.
1. What’s the public stress test weekend for?
Primarily, testing to see how the Path of Exile servers run under heavy player load. Our Closed Beta is around the size we need for gameplay feedback, but we need to test to see if we can handle larger number of players in the lead-up to Open Beta. The first weekend was a great success. We want to push it harder this time 🙂
2. What are the specific times that I can play?
We will make the servers public at 5pm on Friday (May 11), Pacific Daylight Time. This is noon Saturday (May 12) in New Zealand. This link will help you convert to other timezones
The public weekend ends at 11:59pm on Sunday (April May 13), Pacific Daylight Time. This is 7pm on Monday (May 14) in New Zealand. This link will help you convert to other timezones.
3. Can I download the game client in advance?
Yes. We’ll have a link up before the event.
4. I have never signed up for an account at pathofexile.com. Can I still play?
Definitely! An account is required to play but you can create one at any time, even while the event is running. These accounts can be upgraded to Closed Beta accounts after the event if a Beta key is added to them (and of course, they become full game accounts once we enter Open Beta).
5. How do I start playing?
Just create an account, download the client, then start playing when the public weekend is live! If you have problems, please post in the forums and we’ll try to help.
6. What content is available during the weekend?
All of the current Closed Beta content. This includes two acts repeated over four difficulties (about 60 levels worth of content), the Maelstrom of Chaos, Default and Hardcore leagues, six character classes, approximately 70 active skills, 45 support gems and hundreds of types of items. The Shadow, our sixth character class, will be enabled this weekend for public play!
7. Will there be any special events during the public weekend?
For the last few months, we’ve been running weekly special events in Path of Exile. For example, a three hour event that rewards the people that reach the highest level or the first people to accomplish certain tasks (completing quests, clearing an area of monsters, etc). We’re going to try to run several of these events during the public stress test weekend. The exact schedule of times as well as more detailed information about rules and prizes will be posted before the weekend starts.
These events take place in temporary leagues that we create on the server specifically for the event. Players must create new characters to participate in these events and they do not have the benefit of any stashed items. Following the event, the league is closed and characters are moved to the appropriate permanent league.
8. What is a league?
A league is a self-contained separate economy within a server. Characters created within a league are unable to interact with characters from other leagues. Read more about leagues here
9. If this is a stress test, are the servers going to be laggy/unstable?
Possibly. It went really well last time, but we’re going to continue to gather data about server performance and stability under load.
Our intention is to allow users to log on freely until we encounter stability issues. At that point, we’ll place a player limit at a stability threshold and attempt to resolve any issues. Once we’re confident our servers can handle more players, we’ll incrementally raise the limit until we run into more issues. This process should help us find and resolve stability issues while also allowing people to play the game without overloading the servers. As a result, there may be a queue to log in while problems are being resolved.
10. Can I interact with Closed Beta testers during the weekend?
Yes, Closed Beta testers will have access to the same leagues that public players will. Since the public Default and Hardcore leagues are being enabled specifically for this weekend, the existing Closed Beta testers must create new characters if they choose to play in them.
11. What happens to my access after the weekend?
Unless you’re already a Closed Beta tester, your access will cease when the weekend ends. Of course, now that you have a Path of Exile account, you’ll be eligible for selection into the Closed Beta. We’re planning to ramp up invitations to the Closed Beta in preparation for the Open Beta. You may find that you get permanent access soon. If you support Path of Exile by pre-purchasing microtransaction credit, you will receive Beta access.
12. What happens to all my characters and items from this weekend?
The public weekend takes place in the leagues that regular Beta testers play in. If you gain access to the Closed Beta later, you’ll be able to pick up and play your characters right where you left off. For current Closed Beta testers, you will of course have continued access to items you have found in the public weekend during the Closed Beta. Remember, characters and items may be wiped at any time while we’re in the Closed Beta phase.
13. Are there future public stress test weekends planned?
Based on the data that we receive from this public weekend we will decide if we need to hold additional stress test weekends. We’ll post details about a week in advance if we have any planned.
