GGG has a Ben problem.

Steelmage and Zizaran when younger and poorer were competing and did quite well given the pool of competition, but now and for a while they've taken the back seat, becoming merely spectators like many others once PoE players.

PoE peaked around 2018-2020, but even then the greatness of PoE was overshadowed by balancing issues that were so severe there were some restrictions or bans in the Gauntlet, but oddly not sufficient so more could overcome the content.

Through the years the Ben problem got worse and worse, because the learning curve of PoE stopped or stalled. Every year the game was more of the same or similar from its original state, and the further "hand holding" added only worsen the problem.

Now, that the latest Gauntlet happened I didn't want to rain on the parade, because based on the reception of the event there's still quite a strong interest. Regardless, I'll get back to the topic of the Ben problem.

Despite how most perceive Ben as an exceptional or "godly" player, I see him as a someone who's prepared to do or sacrifice whatever it takes to "win", because in the end that gives him some satisfaction, a great feeling and confidence boost. There's also high expectations from most within the community of him to perform and especially now overtaking Zizaran alongside other established streamers in viewership for a while, it's a lot more rewarding beside whatever $ he receives from the event.

The Russians, Brazilians, some Europeans and others participants from the developing countries, whatever $ they win its a lot more compared to those playing from the developed regions. Example, last month I earned around $7500 USD for what I do in 20-30 hours through the week and it also comes with a lot less stress and as I'm now in my 40s I still enjoy gaming like I always have, but the $120 USD spent on all new product releases in the last 175 months the industry has a serious problem.

When it comes to GGG Ben problem they have options how to fix it, but I don't think they ever will, because of this notion that it may "upset" many by introducing big "changes" that many will have to adjust, but big changes it's exactly what is needed.

Example:

PoE 2016=2018 rewarded players who were gifted for being intelligent, and what I mean by that is, no matter what game I've played I've performed beyond my competition in its unknown state, because I'm adapting or "solving" challenges in real time, better and quicker than most of my competition. GGG created its own Ben problem by designing a game that may feel complex to a new player, but its quite simplified for someone who's already explored, studied and solved, especially in its current "hand holding" state and the scripting use.


Whatever themepark content they're going to release each new league won't solve the problem that its only going to get worse, but drastic and necessary changes to make the game feel like we're playing a "new" and "unknown" game / league / expansion, call it whatever.

POB has to go, uniques have to go and anything that's on rails, themepark, static features or content must be converted into dynamic and what I mean by that is the moment I create my character and log into the Path of Exile world everything I'll encounter or experience must be full of new and many choices on how I'll progress my character power, from ascendancies, skills, bosses, atlas etc. My character experience (my PoE world) to be different from everyone else, like different / altered ascendancies, skills, bosses, everything, completely UNIQUE experience per CHARACTER created.

Whatever I'll encounter will be at a scale of minus to plus 50% and I'll have to find a way to "deal" and "overcome" it, like everyone else. That's how you fix the Ben problem and it's the only way.

Another thrilling competition has unfolded, paired with the exciting launch of a new league, brimming with fresh racing content. Yet, we remain on edge, eagerly awaiting the moment when Kopogero, set to be a fierce contender against Ben, will finally appear on any leaderboard.

Surely he will take part in the next gauntlet and beats Ben easily, can´t wait to see!

Can't say as I completely agree with OP but he has a point.

I've gotten in hot water before for saying this but ARPG's aren't really about "skill", at least not to the extent of games like FPS or fighting games like Street Fighter.

ARPG's are far more about knowledge than they are about real time "skill".

Knowing which systems to engage with to get the outcome you want, like with crafting.

Knowing how to spot danger by aura colors or spell/attack visuals.

These are the things that allow Ben to be such a top tier player.

Because in the end it's not like he's dodging, weaving and using defensive cooldowns to mitigate damage or 1-shot mechanics.

He's just recognizing dangers and running from them.

Which is one reason I have less respect for HC players than many fans of the genre, because I watch "hardcore" players do things like use macros to log out when they start to take lots of damage.

That's not "skill", that's knowledge.

Oh it time for another one of those ey?

"

Kopogero#0635 wrote:

no matter what game I've played I've performed beyond my competition in its unknown state, because I'm adapting or "solving" challenges in real time, better and quicker than most of my competition.

Do you have any examples of this?

I'm more than ready to not only join, but to create the Kopogero fanclub, with membership, posters and monthly meet-ups where we cheer "the great one". But it's kind of difficult to throw myself into the cult-state when it's hard to find this greatness anywhere.

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On topic: In today's gaming scene, ALL(!) games get "found out", or "solved" if you like. The way information gets sharded today, via Twitch, Youtube, forums, Reddit, databases and even data mining, there's no way around it. And for developers to be in front of this? It would take tremendous changes and updates to the game way more often than GGG are willing to do - and the game would lose way more players than it would gain.

PoE has never had, nor will it ever get a big enough "PvP crowd" to even suggest that racing and PvP should dictate the balance/development of the game.

"

yummysushipjs#7638 wrote:

I've gotten in hot water before for saying this but ARPG's aren't really about "skill", at least not to the extent of games like FPS or fighting games like Street Fighter.

That's mainly because people A LOT of people have a very narrow (and often wrong) definition of the word "skill".

From Merriam-Webster:

Skill
1
a: the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance

b: dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned physical tasks

2
a: learned power of doing something competently : a developed aptitude or ability

If you use 1a to define "skill", PoE does indeed require skill. By definition. Sadly, everyone prefers to only define skill as 1b, mostly to (wrongfully) downplay certain achievements.

I don't really think its a problem, games are puzzles and they get solved Ben is the player with the most optimised solution but he wasn't unbeatable at the start he's just become near unbeatable because the actual "solution" doesn't change outside of the range he's already using.

But the challenges have also become so desperate to be shockingly difficult (at the end) that they are actually making it easier for the best racers not harder due to more objectives being added that require a mathematic solution not a skill/(luck to a degree) one.

By that I mean if you needed lets say 80% of Ben's gear quality to have a chance to complete the objectives the number of players that can do so simply from a time constraint is probably <50, once you've factored in that gear experience knowledge and refined practice its <20.

The changes to the gauntlet format have made the pool smaller not bigger and if anyone is actually serious about not wanting ben to win they have to make that number bigger. Primarily by shorter form races where small mistakes and luck can play a bigger role than yet another 10 day event where Ben goes through his 11 step plan to total victory.

Proper build limitations could do it as well, if you genuinely set rules that meant it wasn't possible to hit the mathematical targets for most of the fights but chances are this would be crazy boring as everyone would farm until the last second just trying to push the values.

Ben's the best on the current template and will continue to be so until something significant changes.

For the record though I personally thought that Jungroan's build choice for phrecia gauntlet was better ^^

What a convoluted attempt at a flex. Requesting my 2 minutes of life back sir/ma'am.

I'm still waiting for the day where Kopogero makes a appearance in one of those events.

This was an amusing read. Thanks for posting!