Path of Exile 2’s Early Access Controversy: A Potential Reward for Loyal Players

If you’ve been in the gaming world for a while, chances are you’ve at least heard of Path of Exile, even if you haven’t played it yourself. The game’s reputation largely stems from its massive passive skill tree and its commitment to being a fair free-to-play title that doesn’t take advantage of its players.

Path of Exile is often commended for getting the free-to-play model right. It offers optional gameplay enhancements and cosmetic items for purchase, without infringing on the overall experience or its integrity in any significant way.

Now, with that in mind, it’s hard not to do a double take when you see the prices for Path of Exile 2’s supporter packs. Sure, they kick off at a fair $30, but things quickly escalate to a whopping $480! Some tiers come with physical goodies, but even without those, the cost dwarfs what you typically see with other free-to-play titles.

Grinding Gear Games, the developer, knows its audience well and has fine-tuned its pricing strategies over the years. They likely wouldn’t set these prices if they didn’t believe fans would pony up. After all, the original Path of Exile offered bundles that were similarly priced, capturing a dedicated group of players.

What’s interesting is how GGG is acknowledging the existing player base’s loyalty. If you’ve spent $480 or more on microtransactions in the original game, you’ll nab an early access key for Path of Exile 2. Sure, it’s not a drop in the bucket, but over a decade – yes, that’s ten years! – it’s feasible for many dedicated fans to have reached that threshold, perhaps without even realizing. It works out to just $48 a year, around $4 monthly, which isn’t too shabby when you think about it.

At first blush, this may not seem like the most enticing offer, but it’s a thoughtful nod to those who’ve invested in the game over time. The original Path of Exile isn’t disappearing; players can still enjoy their past purchases and also dip into the sequel without having to shell out more upfront. It’s a savvy move for retaining their loyal gamers while giving them something new to look forward to. Everybody benefits, right?

In the big picture, GGG’s decision reflects both smart business acumen and reinforces its image as a fair free-to-play game provider. If you look back at how they’ve managed monetization over the years, you’ll find instances where you might think, “They didn’t have to do this.” That’s certainly where GGG wants to position itself, setting an example for other developers who might be tempted to put profits before players.