If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably come across Path of Exile at some point, even if it was just through its famously massive passive skill tree. But what you’ll hear quite often from fans is that this is one of the few free-to-play games that doesn’t try to exploit its users.
Path of Exile is often highlighted as a blueprint for how free-to-play games can be both enjoyable and fair, offering players options to spend on gameplay features or cosmetics without diluting the core experience.
Despite knowing this, you might still do a double-take when you see the price tags on the Path of Exile 2 supporter packs. They start at a decent $30 but can skyrocket to a staggering $480! Sure, some of these bundles include physical goodies, but even without them, the prices are much steeper than what most free-to-play games usually charge.
These bundle prices are, naturally, set by Grinding Gear Games. The developer is confident that these packages will sell, given its experience in refining its monetization strategy over the years. The original Path of Exile also offered some pretty pricey bundles, so there is clearly a demand for them.
Here’s something that might surprise you: Grinding Gear Games is also recognizing the contributions of its existing players. If you’ve spent $480 or more on Path of Exile microtransactions, you’ll receive an early access key to the sequel at no additional cost. Now, while $480 isn’t a minor amount, consider this — many players have been dipping into the game for a decade now. That’s ten years! When broken down, that’s about $48 annually, or merely $4 each month. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a huge sum.
Initially, this offer might not seem particularly exciting, but it’s a nice gesture that acknowledges the substantial investments a portion of the player base has made. The original Path of Exile isn’t going anywhere, letting players continue to enjoy their past purchases. Still, they also get a chance to jump into the new game without a new upfront cost. It rewards devoted players and keeps them engaged longer with the franchise. Talk about a win-win!
Ultimately, this strategy underscores GGG’s commitment to maintaining a fair free-to-play model. A close look at their decisions around Path of Exile’s monetization reveals many instances where you’d think, “Well, they didn’t really have to do that.” But that’s exactly the perception GGG aims for — one that prioritizes players over profits.
There’s a lesson here for other developers who seem to prioritize monetization over their communities.
