If you’ve ever dabbled even briefly in gaming circles, chances are you’ve caught wind of Path of Exile’s legendary, sprawling passive skill tree. But another thing you might hear if you talk to its players is how Path of Exile stands out as a free-to-play game that doesn’t exploit its audience.
It’s often held up as a textbook example of how to fairly implement a free-to-play model. Players can purchase gameplay enhancements and cosmetics, yet it never feels like the core experience is locked behind a paywall.
Interestingly though, you might find yourself doing a double-take when you see the prices for the Path of Exile 2 supporter packs. Yes, they kick off at a modest $30, but they can shoot up to a staggering $480! Admittedly, some editions toss in physical goodies, but even without those, what’s left is priced higher than what you might find typical among free-to-play games.
Grinding Gear Games, the masterminds behind this, obviously know the terrain. Their pricing isn’t arbitrary; it’s rooted in years of honing a monetization approach with the original Path of Exile. Some of those older bundles were also pretty pricey, indicating there’s a willing audience for such premium packages.
What many might not immediately realize, however, is how GGG is actually creating rewards for its veteran players. Spend $480 or more on Path of Exile microtransactions, and you’ll earn an early access key to the sequel. Sure, that’s a hefty sum, but when you consider the game’s been around for a decade—and let’s break it down: that’s $48 a year, or just $4 a month—it doesn’t seem so outrageous in the grand scheme.
While it might not seem like the deal of the century instantly, it’s a nice nod to those who’ve already sunk a lot of time and money into the game. Path of Exile isn’t disappearing, so those players can continue to enjoy their accumulated gear for years to come. Plus, they gain a smooth entry point into the sequel without shelling out more cash upfront. It’s a win-win, rewarding loyalty while also ensuring GGG retains its player base for the new journey ahead.
In the end, it’s smart business for GGG, reinforcing their reputation for fairness within the free-to-play domain. Over the years, if you dive into the company’s decisions concerning Path of Exile’s monetization, you’ll frequently find yourself thinking, “They didn’t have to do this.” Which is precisely the position GGG aims to hold.
Perhaps a takeaway for other developers eager to prioritize profits over player satisfaction?
