Auckland-based developer Grinding Gear Games have released the latest patch to their game, Path of Exile, introducing Twitch integration as well as new gruesome gore effects.

Live streaming software, Twitch, is becoming more and more popular with speed runs, e-sports, and gameplay commentary taking the world by storm. You only have to search ‘Minecraft’ or ‘Speedrun’ on YouTube to see the extent of the evolving culture.

Path of Exile is the latest game to streamline the technology into the game’s mechanics itself, with the action role playing game now supporting live streaming from directly within the client.

The integration will also allow for channel chat, webcam support, and real-time spectatorship. Streamers will now be able to chat with their viewers in the game, instead of swapping out to another program.

The gore effect being added is a cosmetic upgrade which can be added to any weapon in the game, giving a terrific splash of red to most actions. The 0.11.2 patch also includes a bevy of other features and balance changes, starting areas, new items, and skill trees have also been reworked or introduced.

The free-to-play action RPG moved into Open Beta earlier this year and reached two million players in March, while plans for a final version of the game are said to be for late 2013.

Chris Wilson, Lead Designer and Auckland University graduate, says the reception for Path of Exile has been astounding.

“It blew our expectations out of the water and continues to grow every day.

“The continued feedback and support from our fans has been great.

"We expect to add a lot of new content and features during the Open Beta period as we approach full release later this year.”