Path of Exile "Prophecy" Update Launched Today

The recently announced "Prophecy" content update hit Grinding Gear Games' free-to-play adventure game, Path of Exile, today. As mentioned in the original announcement, the update will include a new challenge league -- this one centered around prophecies as a kind of quest system.

The leagues have been very beneficial to both the developers and players as they offer a unique way to keep players interested in the game and not have them burn out. The philosophy behind them is explored more deeply in our own Jason Winter's interview with the game's Lead Developer Chris Wilson; who says that the "league has more content" than some of the expansion [they've] released in the past.

Of course, as with all updates, there are a vareity of new addition and changes, including:

• New Items: Unique Items and Divination Cards designed by Path of Exile supporters, three new types of Unique Strongboxes, and a new end-game map base type: the Plaza Map.
• Expanded Skills: Five new skills have been added including Spirit Offering, Ancestral Warchief, Fury, Frostbolt, and Vortex - a new area spell that explodes in a burst of cold around the caster, creating an icy vortex.
• Challenges and Rewards: The Prophecy leagues include a set of 40 new challenges. In addition to the generous rewards earned by fulfilling Prophecies, Players earn exclusive microtransactions as challenges are completed.
• The Endgame Labyrinth: The rumors are true - there is a fourth Labyrinth! High-level players must complete difficult map versions of the Trials of Ascendancy to gain access to the Endgame Labyrinth.Completing this version of the Labyrinth will grant players additional Ascendancy class points, allowing them access to more complex character builds.

• Technical Improvements: The game's memory management system has been overhauled and its sound system replaced. There are also gameplay balance adjustments to some skills and items.

More information on the update and the challenge leagues can be found on the game's official site.