My fear about PoE 2 direction at release

As a very long time PoE player, I really do think GGG may have missed a huge trick.

I don't want to repeat the arguments of if the game is too hard vs it's not difficult just tedious/boring etc, it's been hashed out. But what is definitely agreed is, that the launch in terms of numbers is a huge success, the number of purchases and concurrent players on an early access game is immense.

Now, we had an issue in some old leagues where the players drastically dropped after launch because, it just wasn't as "fun" as it could be, and I do feel the same with PoE 2. I don't expect any release to be released without issues or all things perfect, but what I do think is, it would be better to appease the masses in a low risk manner, than to alienate a lot of them instead.

The game, frankly, isn't hard per se, as it is just unfun - not all will agree. But I will say that, while there are those who can for example enjoy Ruthless in PoE 1, I cannot as so for the majority.

Launch PoE 2 is closer to a ruthless mode than a standard mode in my opinion and it seemed like such an unnecessarily risky move by GGG. There is nothing to be gained by making a game like this - you are far better off having a game which is easy to level, easy to get a lot of loot - and then fine tune the balance later. The number of players you would disappoint will be far smaller than the current plan.

If you made the game more free to explore without the frustrations - even if it became far more easy mode, I truly think you would remove the risk of losing players. Even myself, I feel I have to force myself to play more than actually be dying to play - PoE 1 release I was playing till 4/5am every day like an addict - and some leagues like the Settlers it has been the same. Just really fun and a blast.

I would hate for GGG to lose a lot of players - and revenue, due to this unnecessary direction on the early/mid game - leave it to end game in my view or make it an optional mode like you did in PoE 1 for those who TRULY do enjoy it being like this.

There is no losing players. Fair, some may quit PoE/PoE2 and GGG at some precieved slight but their are always those types.

What i mean to say is anyone who doesn't enjoy PoE2 can play PoE there is no loss. It's the reason they didn't just make this PoE 4.0. You still have you game, nothing stopping you from playing it. Just go play the game you enjoy and stop worrying about people that enjoy PoE2.

Its... a different game. What exactly do you Z O O M E R folk want out of a sequel? PoE 1 but faster and slightly different?

The game is slower, methodical, and difficult. It is not insurmountable, you are expected to fail and learn... Not watch lankybox on a second screen while you hold a few buttons.

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Biships#7626 wrote:

There is no losing players. Fair, some may quit PoE/PoE2 and GGG at some precieved slight but their are always those types.

What i mean to say is anyone who doesn't enjoy PoE2 can play PoE there is no loss. It's the reason they didn't just make this PoE 4.0. You still have you game, nothing stopping you from playing it. Just go play the game you enjoy and stop worrying about people that enjoy PoE2.

If you actually read the post, he's more worried about the health of PoE 2 long term and why they took the risk they did in the direction of the game they made. And I kind of agree with him. It would be very sad to see PoE 2 have the players of say "ruthless" mode and the majority of the player base still playing PoE 1 because that is a more enjoyable experience to most players. Wouldnt you agree?

You're absolutely right to be worried. GGG will see record numbers of concurrent players and stop putting any effort on Path of exile 1 gradually (as they already started doing) and full swing to POE2. But the reality is that POE2 is full of tourist players and stuff that wont even make it 1 week into a league, if those tourist players actually make it to the league phase lmao.

100% agree

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Torquebow#3124 wrote:

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Biships#7626 wrote:

There is no losing players. Fair, some may quit PoE/PoE2 and GGG at some precieved slight but their are always those types.

What i mean to say is anyone who doesn't enjoy PoE2 can play PoE there is no loss. It's the reason they didn't just make this PoE 4.0. You still have you game, nothing stopping you from playing it. Just go play the game you enjoy and stop worrying about people that enjoy PoE2.

If you actually read the post, he's more worried about the health of PoE 2 long term and why they took the risk they did in the direction of the game they made. And I kind of agree with him. It would be very sad to see PoE 2 have the players of say "ruthless" mode and the majority of the player base still playing PoE 1 because that is a more enjoyable experience to most players. Wouldnt you agree?

All conjecture and hyperbole. They are offering a different type of Arpg for those that don't want D4/PoE. That's a good thing, and it totally cool if PoE vets want to keep playing PoE. That's why it's there and still being developed.

Go and enjoy the game. It took 10 years to get PoE to where it is today, slow and steady growth.
Of course the PoE 2 hype will die off and people will go and play other things.

But if you have ever listened to Jonathan they expect/want people to move in and out of the game. They under no circumstance expect it to stay at 500k+ players.

True