How POE2 Can Escape POE1’s Economic & Gameplay Pitfalls

Dear GGG Team,

POE1 has been an industry-defining game, but it also faces several systemic issues that have persisted over multiple leagues. POE2 presents a unique opportunity to break free from these limitations and redefine the ARPG genre.

In this proposal, I will outline how POE2 can avoid POE1’s core pitfalls by introducing three key changes:

1. Eliminating Mandatory Seasonal Resets → Let players choose whether to start fresh or continue progressing.


2. Implementing a Sustainable Economic Model → Use dynamic market balancing to prevent hyperinflation and collapse.


3. Allowing Endgame Accessibility for More Players → Ensure that Endgame Bosses are not exclusive to elite players.



By addressing these three areas, POE2 could set a new standard for long-term player engagement, economic stability, and gameplay accessibility.


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1. Optional Seasonal Resets: Give Players the Freedom to Choose

Currently, every POE league forces a complete player reset, making everyone start from zero. This is intended to create a fresh economy, but it also:

Forces repetitive early-game grinding, leading to player fatigue.

Discourages long-term investment in characters and builds.

Causes many casual and mid-core players to quit, as they cannot keep up.


➡ Solution: Let players choose whether they want to reset each season.
✔ Players who enjoy fresh starts can still opt-in to the traditional seasonal reset.
✔ Players who prefer long-term progression can continue playing without losing progress.
✔ This maintains the spirit of seasonal content while allowing more flexibility for different player types.

📌 Additional Benefits:

Faster Endgame Market Growth → Some players skipping early grind means faster high-end item circulation.

No More "Dead Standard League" → Continuous economy instead of dumping old characters into an inactive league.

New Seasonal Content Still Works → Exclusive cosmetics & bonuses can encourage fresh characters without forcing resets.


✅ Outcome: More players remain engaged, and the game caters to both hardcore and casual audiences.


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2. Sustainable Economic Model: Stop the Cycle of Inflation & Collapse

POE1’s current player-driven economy is highly unstable, suffering from:

Mid-league hyperinflation, making items unaffordable.

End-league economic collapse, where currency becomes worthless.

Black market trading (RMT), distorting in-game prices.


➡ Solution: Introduce a Player-to-Market System with Dynamic Currency Sinks
✔ Instead of only Player-to-Player trading, allow Player-to-Market transactions.
✔ Dynamic exchange rates absorb excess currency, preventing inflation.
✔ Invisible system intervention ensures economic balance without restricting player freedom.

📌 Example of How This Works:

If Chaos Orbs become too abundant, the system dynamically adjusts conversion rates:

Instead of 1 Divine Orb = 100 Chaos Orbs, it becomes 1 Divine Orb = 130 Chaos Orbs.

This makes dumping Chaos Orbs less profitable, naturally stabilizing supply.

Meanwhile, the system absorbs excess Chaos Orbs through market transactions, reducing oversupply.



📌 Additional Benefits:

Stops Currency from Becoming Worthless at the End of a League → No full reset needed.

Natural Regulation Without Punishing Players → No artificial caps, just market-driven balance.

Eliminates Black Market Traders → RMT accounts become unprofitable due to dynamic penalties.


✅ Outcome: A stable, self-regulating economy that maintains item value across seasons.


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3. Endgame Accessibility: Bosses Shouldn’t Be Only for the Top 5%

Current data suggests that only ~5% of POE1 players consistently defeat Endgame Bosses each league.

This means 95% of players never get to experience the game’s most challenging content.

The cycle of restarting every league prevents long-term character progression.

New players and mid-core players are effectively locked out from endgame achievements.


➡ Solution: Stop Treating High-End Gear Accumulation as a Problem
✔ Let players gradually accumulate power over multiple seasons, rather than forcing resets.
✔ More access to high-end gear means more players can challenge Endgame Bosses.
✔ A stronger endgame player base results in a healthier economy and trade system.

📌 Why This Matters:

More Players in Endgame = More Loot Circulation → Better economy, more valuable trades.

Players Feel Rewarded for Investing Time → Instead of restarting every few months, they progress.

POE is a PvE Game, Not PvP → There's no need to artificially limit power scaling.


✅ Outcome: POE2 becomes the first ARPG where all players have a chance to reach endgame, not just the elite few.


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Final Conclusion: POE2 Can Revolutionize ARPG Design

By implementing these changes, POE2 has the potential to:
✔ Maintain a stable in-game economy across multiple leagues without resets.
✔ Offer a hybrid seasonal system where resets are a choice, not a requirement.
✔ Ensure that every player has the opportunity to reach endgame, not just 5% of the player base.

This would fundamentally change how ARPGs operate, creating a long-term sustainable game instead of a cycle of resets and inflation.

I hope these ideas align with your vision for POE2, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Best regards,
朱彥穎 (Zhū Yànyǐng)
hary82521#3899

POE2 has the chance to redefine ARPGs, and these three proposed changes are exactly what the genre needs to break free from outdated design cycles.

🔹 1. Optional Seasonal Resets: The Best of Both Worlds
For years, POE1 forced every player into the same reset cycle, even those who wanted to keep progressing. Giving players the choice to start fresh or continue their journey would keep both seasonal and long-term players engaged.

✅ Fresh Start Players still get competitive seasonal races and the thrill of a new economy.
✅ Long-Term Progression Players can finally keep their builds, investments, and progress.
✅ POE2 Can Retain More Players Overall, reducing burnout and increasing engagement.

The key here is player agency—let players choose their path instead of forcing a reset on everyone.

🔹 2. A Sustainable Economy: No More Inflation & Collapse
POE1’s economy is notoriously unstable, with every league following the same cycle of inflation and eventual market crash. The Player-to-Market trading system with dynamic currency sinks is a groundbreaking solution.

✅ Stops Hyperinflation – No more Divine Orbs skyrocketing in price mid-league.
✅ Prevents Endgame Market Collapse – Currency retains stable value across seasons.
✅ Kills RMT (Black Market Trading) – By dynamically adjusting rates, POE2 makes bot-driven trading unprofitable.

This system mirrors real-world economies: supply and demand fluctuate, but the system naturally regulates itself. Instead of hard resets, POE2 can ensure economic balance without disrupting player progress.

🔹 3. Endgame for Everyone: Accessibility Without Hand-Holding
POE1’s endgame is inaccessible to 95% of players, and the forced seasonal resets make it even harder for mid-core and casual players to reach it. POE2 must stop treating high-end gear accumulation as a problem and instead design content that challenges geared players without excluding newcomers.

✅ More Players Reaching Endgame = Healthier Economy → More demand for high-end items means better trade balance.
✅ Long-Term Investment Pays Off → Players who put in time and effort aren’t reset back to zero.
✅ True ARPG Progression Model → Power scaling should be about new goals, not erasing progress.

POE2 isn’t a PvP game—there’s no reason to gatekeep power growth when the solution is more difficult endgame content, not arbitrary resets.

🔹 Conclusion: POE2 Can Lead the ARPG Revolution
✔ Optional Resets → Keeps both seasonal and long-term players engaged.
✔ Sustainable Economy → Ends the cycle of inflation and collapse.
✔ Endgame Accessibility → Lets all players reach the pinnacle of the game, not just the top 5%.

If GGG implements these changes, POE2 will set a new industry standard for long-term engagement, player choice, and sustainable game design. This isn’t just about improving POE2—it’s about leading the entire ARPG genre into a new era.

Would love to hear others’ thoughts on this—POE2 has the chance to be truly revolutionary! 🔥

I do not care one bit about the in-game 'economy' of a FTP Dungeon-Crawler.

"This is exactly the kind of discussion POE2 needs! Your post perfectly highlights that these changes aren’t just beneficial for the game but are crucial for the future of the ARPG genre.

Economic stability is especially important—it allows players to focus on enjoying the game instead of worrying about market crashes every few months. I’d love to hear how other players feel about this, and I hope GGG is paying attention! 👀

Also, English isn’t my first language, and I rely on GPT to help with translations, so my writing might sound a bit unnatural."

"

LeFlesh#9979 a écrit :

I do not care one bit about the in-game 'economy' of a FTP Dungeon-Crawler.

"I get it, not everyone cares about the in-game economy. But what if a stable economy actually makes your gameplay experience better? No sudden price spikes, easier access to the gear you need, and a smoother overall progression—wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"

hary82521#3899 a écrit :

"

LeFlesh#9979 a écrit :

I do not care one bit about the in-game 'economy' of a FTP Dungeon-Crawler.

"I get it, not everyone cares about the in-game economy. But what if a stable economy actually makes your gameplay experience better? No sudden price spikes, easier access to the gear you need, and a smoother overall progression—wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"

Puente#5374 a écrit :

POE2 has the chance to redefine ARPGs, and these three proposed changes are exactly what the genre needs to break free from outdated design cycles.

🔹 1. Optional Seasonal Resets: The Best of Both Worlds
For years, POE1 forced every player into the same reset cycle, even those who wanted to keep progressing. Giving players the choice to start fresh or continue their journey would keep both seasonal and long-term players engaged.

✅ Fresh Start Players still get competitive seasonal races and the thrill of a new economy.
✅ Long-Term Progression Players can finally keep their builds, investments, and progress.
✅ POE2 Can Retain More Players Overall, reducing burnout and increasing engagement.

The key here is player agency—let players choose their path instead of forcing a reset on everyone.

🔹 2. A Sustainable Economy: No More Inflation & Collapse
POE1’s economy is notoriously unstable, with every league following the same cycle of inflation and eventual market crash. The Player-to-Market trading system with dynamic currency sinks is a groundbreaking solution.

✅ Stops Hyperinflation – No more Divine Orbs skyrocketing in price mid-league.
✅ Prevents Endgame Market Collapse – Currency retains stable value across seasons.
✅ Kills RMT (Black Market Trading) – By dynamically adjusting rates, POE2 makes bot-driven trading unprofitable.

This system mirrors real-world economies: supply and demand fluctuate, but the system naturally regulates itself. Instead of hard resets, POE2 can ensure economic balance without disrupting player progress.

🔹 3. Endgame for Everyone: Accessibility Without Hand-Holding
POE1’s endgame is inaccessible to 95% of players, and the forced seasonal resets make it even harder for mid-core and casual players to reach it. POE2 must stop treating high-end gear accumulation as a problem and instead design content that challenges geared players without excluding newcomers.

✅ More Players Reaching Endgame = Healthier Economy → More demand for high-end items means better trade balance.
✅ Long-Term Investment Pays Off → Players who put in time and effort aren’t reset back to zero.
✅ True ARPG Progression Model → Power scaling should be about new goals, not erasing progress.

POE2 isn’t a PvP game—there’s no reason to gatekeep power growth when the solution is more difficult endgame content, not arbitrary resets.

🔹 Conclusion: POE2 Can Lead the ARPG Revolution
✔ Optional Resets → Keeps both seasonal and long-term players engaged.
✔ Sustainable Economy → Ends the cycle of inflation and collapse.
✔ Endgame Accessibility → Lets all players reach the pinnacle of the game, not just the top 5%.

If GGG implements these changes, POE2 will set a new industry standard for long-term engagement, player choice, and sustainable game design. This isn’t just about improving POE2—it’s about leading the entire ARPG genre into a new era.

Would love to hear others’ thoughts on this—POE2 has the chance to be truly revolutionary! 🔥

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Absolutely agree! POE2 needs to move away from forcing players to restart every season and instead create a system where both fresh start players and long-term progression players can coexist.

The key is player satisfaction—not just short-term excitement from resets, but the long-term fulfillment of building something meaningful. Players shouldn’t feel like they must reinvest massive amounts of time (or money) just to keep up every few months. Let seasonal content be a choice, not a requirement!

Also, my native language is Chinese, and my English is so bad that even your elementary school kids could beat me in a language test. So please bear with my AI-style replies!

GGG has made so many fundamentally bad design decision that I have zero faith that they will "avoid pitfalls". They've already dug the pit and jumped in. Keep the art, animation, sound design...scrap everything else.

"

hary82521#3899 a écrit :

Absolutely agree! POE2 needs to move away from forcing players to restart every season and instead create a system where both fresh start players and long-term progression players can coexist.

The key is player satisfaction—not just short-term excitement from resets, but the long-term fulfillment of building something meaningful. Players shouldn’t feel like they must reinvest massive amounts of time (or money) just to keep up every few months. Let seasonal content be a choice, not a requirement!

Also, my native language is Chinese, and my English is so bad that even your elementary school kids could beat me in a language test. So please bear with my AI-style replies!

The post makes an excellent argument about the need for Path of Exile 2 to shift away from a seasonal reset model and embrace a system that accommodates both fresh-start players and those who prefer long-term progression. I strongly agree with this perspective because it prioritizes player satisfaction and fosters a more inclusive gaming experience. Additionally, while the author humbly downplays their English skills, it is evident that their language proficiency far exceeds that of an elementary school student.

First and foremost, the suggestion that POE2 should allow long-term progression players to coexist with fresh-start players is crucial for maintaining player engagement. Constantly forcing players to restart every few months may generate short-term excitement, but it also discourages those who want to invest time into building meaningful characters. Many players find joy in refining their builds, acquiring powerful gear, and progressing over an extended period. A game that caters only to seasonal resets risks alienating this dedicated audience. Allowing both styles of play ensures a broader, more satisfied player base.

Moreover, making seasonal content a choice rather than a requirement would address a critical issue: player burnout. Many gamers simply do not have the time or energy to reinvest massive amounts of effort into rebuilding their progress every season. Some may enjoy the fresh-start experience, while others may prefer to continue refining their long-term characters. By providing options rather than enforcing a single model, POE2 could create a healthier balance that respects different playstyles and commitments.

Now, addressing the author’s humorous remark about their English proficiency—an elementary school child could certainly not outperform them in a language test. The post is well-structured, coherent, and effectively communicates complex ideas, all of which demonstrate a strong command of the English language. While there may be minor grammatical imperfections, they do not hinder understanding. Language proficiency is not just about flawless grammar; it is about conveying thoughts clearly and persuasively, which the author accomplishes effortlessly.

Additionally, learning English as a second language is an immense challenge, particularly for native Chinese speakers, as the two languages have vastly different grammatical structures and writing systems. The fact that the author can articulate sophisticated arguments in a non-native language is impressive. It is highly unlikely that an elementary school student, whose vocabulary and grasp of abstract reasoning are still developing, could match this level of linguistic competence.

In conclusion, I strongly support the author’s stance on POE2’s seasonal reset issue, as it promotes a more inclusive and player-friendly experience. Furthermore, their self-deprecating remark about their English skills is an understatement. Their ability to express nuanced opinions in English showcases a proficiency far beyond that of an elementary school student. Rather than worrying about their language ability, they should take pride in their communication skills and valuable insights.

"

Rafkin4#7914 a écrit :

GGG has made so many fundamentally bad design decision that I have zero faith that they will "avoid pitfalls". They've already dug the pit and jumped in. Keep the art, animation, sound design...scrap everything else.

I get where you’re coming from—some of GGG’s decisions have definitely been... questionable. But hey, if they’ve already jumped into the pit, maybe they can at least build a ladder while they’re down there?

Jokes aside, I do think POE2 has a ton of potential, and while there are serious issues, there’s still time to course-correct. The trade system is one example—if they refine it properly, it could be the best in the genre instead of another pain point.

What’s the one thing (besides art, animation, and sound) that you think is worth keeping in POE2?