Is Path of Exile 2 Free to Play?

by

As someone who has been following the Path of Exile saga for more than a decade now, I can confidently say that if Path of Exile 2 is free to play, it’s a decision that not only honors its predecessor but also shows the community’s unwavering faith in Grinding Gear Games. The free-to-play model has become the norm, and I remember being equally skeptical when Warframe, another AAA title, went free. But now, it seems everyone’s doing it, and for good reason – it works!

If Path of Exile 2 is offered for free play, it not only mirrors the approach of its predecessor as an ARPG, but it also underscores the community’s readiness and confidence in backing the highly anticipated sequel. Such a move by Grinding Gear Games would be significant, so let’s explore their strategic reasoning behind this decision.

Over the past ten years, free-to-play games have taken over the gaming scene. I still recall being bewildered when PS4’s Warframe opted for a free-to-play approach, finding it hard to comprehend releasing an AAA title without charge. Nowadays, it seems everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, and it’s all because the model can work exceptionally well—occasionally.

Back in 2013, we saw the launch of Path of Exile 1, a game that was available for free and functioned flawlessly. Fast forward to 2024, and the anticipation for its sequel, Path of Exile 2, is building up. One of the main topics of discussion regarding this upcoming game is its free-to-play nature.

Will Path of Exile 2 be Free to Play?

In the same vein as its original version, Path of Exile 2 can be played at no cost, with the primary means of earning revenue coming from add-on purchases that are entirely optional.

Following several years of backing the original game, the creator felt the moment had come to launch a follow-up. The positive reception and admiration that Path of Exile (PoE) received made it entirely practical for Grinding Gear Games to create PoE 2 as a pay-to-play experience.

Path of Exile has consistently grown in popularity since its launch, with Steam Charts indicating that the game has rarely dropped below 10,000 daily players on Steam since January 2017. The player count frequently dips into the 60,000s and 70,000s, reaching a peak of 76,501 simultaneous players in August 2024!

It seems the developer places a high level of confidence in the Player-Operated Economy (PoE) community, which likely explains why Path of Exile 2 has been made freely accessible again. For those who wish to contribute financially towards PoE 2’s development, there are Supporter Packs available for purchase. The most affordable option provides 300 Points and an Early Access Key.

Conversely, the King of the Faridun Supporter Pack includes the following:

  • 1000 Points.
  • A Hideout
  • A Portal Effect
  • Early Access to Path of Exile 2
  • Level-up Effect
  • Three Pets
  • Three Weapon Skins
  • Two Armour Sets
  • Two Back Attachments
  • Two Badges
  • Two Forum Titles
  • Two Hideout Decorations
  • Two Portrait Frames

The financial success of Path of Exile 2 isn’t solely dependent on additional sales, but these certainly contribute to its overall strength. It remains a mystery how Path of Exile 2 will fare against its predecessor, but the anticipation for the results is definitely high.

Would you be planning to purchase any in-game transactions to aid in the development of Path of Exile 2? I’d love to hear your opinions. And don’t forget to check out other useful guides for Path of Exile 2, such as a comprehensive guide on its cross-platform compatibility and a breakdown of the PC specifications required.

Read More

2024-12-05 14:48