Path of Exile 2’s Early Access Approach Sparks Debate, Yet May Benefit Dedicated Players

Even if you haven’t tried your hand at Path of Exile, chances are you’ve come across its infamously sprawling passive skill tree. Even more so, you’ve probably heard players rave about how it stands out in the free-to-play world for not exploiting its users.

Path of Exile often gets a nod for showing how fair play in the market is done right. It offers options for gameplay enhancements and cosmetics that players can purchase, yet keeps the core game untainted and authentic for everyone.

But knowing all of this doesn’t quite prepare you for the sticker shock when checking out the Path of Exile 2 supporter packs. They kick off at a reasonable $30 but can soar up to a staggering $480! Sure, some editions come bundled with physical items, but even without those extras, the price tag is way steeper than what you’d find in typical free-to-play realms.

It’s entirely up to Grinding Gear Games to decide these prices, and they surely wouldn’t set it so high if they weren’t confident in their appeal. Grinding Gear has masterfully honed its monetization strategy over the years with the original Path of Exile, and this second installment seems to follow suit with similarly high-priced bundles, proving there’s a dedicated crowd willing to pay for them.

However, there’s a perk not everyone may realize. GGG is keen on rewarding its committed players. Those who’ve spent $480 or more on Path of Exile’s microtransactions are handed an early access key for the sequel. That might sound like a hefty investment, but for gamers who’ve been loyal over the ten-year journey, that cumulative spending might already be there without much realization. When broken down, that’s roughly $48 annually or just $4 each month—not exactly bank-breaking over a decade.

While it may not look like a fantastic deal at first glance, it essentially acknowledges the financial support long-term players have contributed. Plus, the original Path of Exile remains available, allowing players to continue enjoying their lifetime purchases while tempting them to explore the sequel with no added upfront costs. It’s an enticing model that rewards loyalty and encourages sustained engagement. Fair to say, GGG and its players might just have found a mutual win-win here?

This strategic move fortifies GGG’s reputation for maintaining a fair free-to-play experience. Delving into their monetization choices over the years with Path of Exile presents numerous occasions where the first thought might be “they didn’t have to do this,” yet it’s evident that’s exactly where Grinding Gear Games aims to land in the industry.

Let this approach serve as a lesson for many developers out there prioritizing profit over player satisfaction.