Closed Beta Has Begun for Path of Exile's Latest Expansion

Grinding Gear Games has begun closed beta for the fourth act of its popular PC action RPG Path of Exile. It is the third expansion the game has received, but the first in which an entirely new act has been introduced.

Entitled Awakening, the closed beta began on April 20, but there's still an option to sign up to receive an invitation to participate. According to the expansion's promotional site, there are thirteen new skill gems that players will add to their equipment. Though some of these, including several war cries and elemental summons, have been announced, there are five that still have yet to be revealed.

In Awakening, players can also socket gems into their passive skill tree, granting them access to additional stat bonuses when the gems are socketed.

Though the closed beta has begun, there's currently no word yet on when Grinding Gear Games will launch the expansion for everyone; as they did with the original launch of the game, they are taking their time with the closed beta to ensure that Awakening is everything the fans of the game are hoping for.

Are you excited about the new expansion? What new features are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!