Even should you by no means truly performed Path of Exile, you’ve seemingly heard about its comically gigantic passive talent tree. However a sentiment you’ve most likely additionally heard repeatedly from the individuals who play it’s that it’s one of many uncommon free-to-play video games that doesn’t prey on its customers.
Path of Exile is usually cited for example of how free-to-play could be accomplished pretty; providing gameplay choices and cosmetics for actual cash, with out taking away from the core expertise or comprising it in any (main) method.
Figuring out all of that, nonetheless, doesn’t cease one from elevating an eyebrow taking a look at these Path of Exile 2 supporter pack costs. They begin off at an affordable $30, however go all the best way as much as an eye-watering $480! Sure, some editions do additionally embody bodily objects, however even should you take these out, the rest nonetheless value properly over what your extra normal free-to-play video games sometimes ask of their gamers.
The worth of those bundles is fully decided by Grinding Gear Video games, in fact, and the developer wouldn’t worth them that method if it didn’t know the packages have been going to promote. In actual fact, the developer has spent years refining its monetisation technique with the unique Path of Exile, and a few of that sport’s bundles are equally costly, so there may be actually an viewers for it.
One factor most individuals might not have picked up on, nonetheless, is that GGG can also be rewarding current gamers for his or her investments. Anybody who spent $480, or extra, on Path of Exile microtransactions will obtain an early entry key for the sequel. Now, sure, that’s not a small determine, however contemplating the sport has been out for a decade – that is 10 entire years! – many longtime gamers have seemingly invested near that already. With out even realising it, in lots of instances. That is solely about $48 per 12 months, once you break it down, or a measly $4 per thirty days — not that a lot money, within the grand scheme of issues.
It could not seem like probably the most compelling provide at first look, however it’s nonetheless a bonus that recognises the cash a sure phase of the participant base has already invested into the sport. The unique Path of Exile just isn’t going away, so these gamers can proceed having fun with the purchases they’ve amassed for years, however in addition they have a cause to leap into the brand new sport with out an upfront funding. It is each rewarding for sticky gamers, and opens up a brand new avenue for participant retention for GGG. Everybody wins?
In the end, this can be a good enterprise choice on GGG’s half, however it additionally helps perpetuate the studio’s status of operating a good free-to-play mannequin. Wanting into the studio’s choices round Path of Exile monetisation over time, you’ll come throughout many cases the place your first thought could be “they didn’t have to do that,” which I believe is precisely the place GGG desires to be.
Let that be a lesson to a variety of the builders that appear to be chasing earnings first, forward of their gamers.