Path of Exile 2’s Early Access Approach Sparks Curiosity but May Reward Loyal Players

Even if you’ve never dived into Path of Exile, you’ve probably heard about its famously sprawling passive skill tree. It’s often praised by players as one of those rare free-to-play games that doesn’t exploit its user base.

Path of Exile frequently gets spotlighted as a prime example of how fair free-to-play models should work. It offers game-enhancing options and cosmetics for purchase, yet it doesn’t take anything significant away from the core gameplay experience.

With all this in mind, you might still raise an eyebrow at the prices for the Path of Exile 2 supporter packs. They start at a reasonable $30 but climb steeply to a staggering $480! Some editions come with physical extras, but even subtracting those, the cost still overshadows what most free-to-play games typically ask from their players.

Naturally, the pricing of these bundles is set by Grinding Gear Games, who wouldn’t price them so highly if they didn’t believe they would sell. After all, the developer has honed its monetization strategy over years with the original Path of Exile, where similarly priced bundles have attracted a dedicated audience.

What many might not notice is that Grinding Gear Games also appreciates its long-time players’ investments. If you’ve spent $480 or more on Path of Exile microtransactions, you’ll score an early access key for the sequel. While $480 isn’t pocket change, it’s worth noting the game has been around for a decade. Over those ten years, many dedicated players might have already reached that spending milestone without even noticing. Break it down, and it’s just $48 a year, or around $4 a month, which is relatively modest.

At first glance, this offer might not seem earth-shattering, but it’s a gesture acknowledging the support of a significant player segment. The original Path of Exile isn’t going anywhere, so players can still enjoy their previous purchases for years. Yet, they now have a reason to leap into the new game without additional costs. It’s rewarding for loyal players and a smart strategy for player retention by GGG. A win-win, perhaps?

Ultimately, this is a savvy move by Grinding Gear Games, bolstering their reputation for managing a fair free-to-play system. Looking back at the studio’s approach to Path of Exile’s monetization, there are countless moments where you might think, “They didn’t have to do this,” which is exactly the perception GGG aims for.

Let this serve as a lesson for developers who prioritize profits over their players’ experience.