Path of Exile 2’s Early Access Approach Raises Eyebrows, Yet Could Reward Loyal Gamers

If you haven’t dived into Path of Exile yet, its notorious and massive passive skill tree has probably caught your interest at some point. What you might have also heard, especially from its players, is that it stands out as one of the few free-to-play games that doesn’t exploit its users.

Path of Exile is often championed as an example of how a free-to-play model can be implemented justly. It offers players paid options for gameplay enhancements and cosmetics, yet none of these features detract significantly from the core game experience.

Now, knowing this doesn’t entirely erase the curiosity or skepticism that might arise when you see the price tags on the Path of Exile 2 supporter packs, which range from a modest $30 to an astonishing $480. Sure, some of these pricey editions come with physical items, but even stripping those extras away leaves you with costs that surpass what typical free-to-play games ask of their players.

The pricing strategy behind these bundles is carefully crafted by Grinding Gear Games. The developer wouldn’t set these prices if it wasn’t confident they would sell. After all, the original game’s monetization strategy, developed over years, includes similarly pricey bundles, proving there is indeed a market for them.

An interesting aspect that many might overlook is how GGG rewards loyal players who have already made significant investments. Those who have spent $480 or more on Path of Exile microtransactions are granted early access keys for the sequel. Now, $480 isn’t a trivial sum by any means, but considering the original game has been around for a decade, it adds up. Many long-time fans might have already spent that amount, almost without realizing it—breaking it down, that’s roughly $48 a year or just $4 a month!

While it may not seem like a compelling offer initially, it’s a perk that acknowledges the contributions of dedicated players. With the original Path of Exile continuing alongside its sequel, these players can keep enjoying their in-game investments and also get a head start in the new game without any additional expense. This approach rewards loyal players and potentially strengthens GGG’s player retention strategy. A win-win, perhaps?

From a business perspective, GGG’s approach is savvy, reinforcing its reputation for a player-friendly free-to-play model. Throughout the years, their decisions around Path of Exile’s monetization often evoke the thought, “They didn’t have to do this,” which seems precisely how GGG wants to be perceived.

This should serve as a lesson to many game developers who might be prioritizing profit over players’ experiences.