If you haven’t played Path of Exile, you’ve probably still heard tales of its famously elaborate passive skill tree. Fans of the game often mention something else that’s quite remarkable: it’s a free-to-play game that doesn’t exploit its players.
Path of Exile frequently gets highlighted as a prime example of ethical free-to-play design. It offers players the chance to buy in-game options and cosmetics, but these purchases don’t interfere with the fundamental experience or undermine it in any major way.
Now, knowing all that still doesn’t prevent some eyebrows from raising at the supporter pack prices for Path of Exile 2. They start at a manageable $30, but can soar to a staggering $480! Sure, some of these packs include physical goodies, but even without those, they far exceed the usual expectations for a free-to-play game.
The value of these supporter packs, naturally, is entirely decided by Grinding Gear Games. They wouldn’t be sold at these prices if they weren’t confident there was a market. Over the years, the company has perfected its monetization model with the first Path of Exile, and some of its bundles have carried similarly hefty price tags, proving that there’s definitely an audience willing to invest.
What might not be immediately obvious is that Grinding Gear Games is also recognizing loyal players for what they’ve already spent. Anyone who has dropped $480 or more on Path of Exile microtransactions can snag an early access key for the sequel. Sure, it’s not a small amount, but when you consider that the game’s been around for a decade, plenty of devoted players have likely hit or approached that number without even realizing it. Essentially, that breaks down to just $48 per year, or a mere $4 per month—not exactly a bank breaker when you think about it.
This offer might not seem overly enticing at first glance, but it does acknowledge the investments that a segment of the player base has already made. Since the original Path of Exile isn’t going anywhere, these players will continue to enjoy their past purchases. Plus, they get a reason to dive into the new release without needing to pay an upfront fee. It’s a win for dedicated fans, and it cleverly ensures player retention for Grinding Gear Games. Is it a win-win scenario?
Strategically, this is a savvy move for Grinding Gear Games. It also reinforces their image as a studio committed to a fair free-to-play model. If you explore the choices GGG has made over the years with Path of Exile, you’ll find plenty of decisions that might have you thinking, “They didn’t have to do that.” Precisely the kind of reputation they aim to cultivate.
It’s a lesson many profit-driven studios could learn from—putting players first can lead to long-term success.
