Former Marathon and Valorant director highlights Path of Exile’s build depth

Joe Ziegler, the former game director for Valorant and Marathon, has revealed his deep attachment to the long-running ARPG Path of Exile. In a recent report by GamesRadar+, it was noted that Ziegler has logged 3,437 hours in the title, citing the game’s expansive buildcrafting systems as the primary draw.

The appeal of complex buildcrafting

Ziegler told PC Gamer, as reported by GamesRadar+, that he views the ARPG genre through the lens of clever experimentation. “I think Path of Exile is the most freeform version of that,” Ziegler said. He described the game as a “Rube Goldberg machine of effects,” where the core enjoyment comes from theory-crafting and finding efficient ways to maximize damage output. Ziegler noted that he frequently rotates between different playstyles, ranging from totem-focused builds to simpler one-button mechanics like his favored Whirlwind configurations.

Path of Exile 1 vs. Path of Exile 2

Despite the release of Path of Exile 2 in Early Access, Ziegler expressed a strong preference for the original game. He noted that while the sequel is designed with a more focused action environment, it feels “a little bit more limiting” compared to the experience he has cultivated over years of play in the first title. Ziegler’s comments highlight the distinct divide that can exist between players who seek a streamlined action experience and those who prefer the deep, open-ended systems found in the original Path of Exile.

Why it matters

For players, Ziegler’s endorsement emphasizes the enduring relevance of Path of Exile’s complexity in a crowded ARPG market. It highlights a clear distinction between titles designed for pick-up-and-play simplicity and those that reward long-term theory-crafting.

While Ziegler’s comments reflect his personal preference for the original game’s “freeform” nature, it serves as a reminder to the community that player expectations for the genre are often tied to how much freedom they are granted in constructing their character builds. As the ARPG landscape evolves, fans looking for deep mechanics will likely continue to look toward the original Path of Exile as a benchmark for customization, even as developers explore more action-oriented designs in newer sequels.