Why are free-loaders complaining?

You know, I've been with this game since it released, but never delved in it deeply enough to support it until now. I'm happy to help GGG because they've provided me with a premier hack-n-slash experience for years that didn't cost me a dime. Could never complain about the game, because hey, it's FREE. Why would anyone have the nerve to complain about something free?

Now I can't speak too heavily, as I've paid maybe ~$70 for the game, which is miniscule compared to some of the Kitava-geared denizens I see running around. I know some of you have spent hundreds, if not, thousands on the game. You are the real warriors. I wish I had the free cash to give to GGG like you do!

This game could easily retail for at least $30, but GGG chose to gift you with free entertainment. If you play it a lot, the least you can do is throw them a bone for a premium chest tab or two. But I've seen many people on these forums and the Steam forums complain about the state of the game when they have contributed literally nothing toward its development.

Nonetheless, it bothers me to no end that for something free, people even have the audacity to whine about the state of things. And I get it, we all have the right to an opinion, but the gall, the real gall, to be critical about a game that never asked you to open your wallet.

There was no point of this rant other than to rant, sometimes reiterating the same opinion. Thank you for listening.

Most people have supported with quite a bit of their money and aren’t freeloading like you though. Thats why people are so critical and they absolutely have the right to be as paying customers.

This game wouldn't be what it is today without the criticism that's been given. It's helpful. Sometimes necessary. Learning from criticism is something that you have to learn to do.

Everybody has right to constructive criticism. All the rest may be considered whining, regardless if you donated or not. And yes, if you pay, you do not own the game, you donated your own money for a service, and if you are unhappy, you have every right to stop donating.

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Most people have supported with quite a bit of their money and aren’t freeloading like you though. Thats why people are so critical and they absolutely have the right to be as paying customers.

First off, I wouldn't say "most." A very, VERY small percentile of the populace actually pays money to support this game.

"Now I can't speak too heavily, as I've paid maybe ~$70 for the game, which is miniscule compared to some of the Kitava-geared denizens I see running around. I know some of you have spent hundreds, if not, thousands on the game. You are the real warriors. I wish I had the free cash to give to GGG like you do!"

At the very least, I've been able to give what I can. I have 250 hours in the game, and for the money I've put into it, I'd say that's a pretty good ratio. When I say I've been around for years, it doesn't mean I've been playing daily and milking the game of its content. More simply, I've been keeping up with PoE and its changes.

You've got supporter titles up the wah-zoo, so I can't argue too much about your perspective of what it means to free-load, but surely I think the title can go to someone else; you know, someone who plays this game for 1000s of hours and doesn't contribute a cent. They're out there - believe me.

There is a difference between complaints and constructive criticism. I have, on just about every game's forum, seen what amounts to little more than toxic bashing of ideas / developers / anyone who has an opinion which differs from that of the poster. Regardless of how much money someone may have spent on the game, that is not helpful.

But usually I would advocate for people to focus on the post, not the poster. If someone finds a bug in the game, that bug is unintended behaviour regardless of whether they have purchased a Kitava Supporter Pack. If they suggest a new feature for the game, the merits of that idea don't vary depending on their monetary contribution(s). If they say something negative about the game, they can have never paid a dime and still be right.

It can get a little tiring when the same people show up in every thread and never have anything positive to say, but if they post about genuine problems, their posts have merit. And don't forget that you can hide your supporter titles. I know someone who has the Ruler of Wraeclast title - obtained by buying a $12,500 (no that isn't a typo) supporter pack during the game's beta - and has it on display less than half the time. Different strokes for different folks.

You can use a browser extension to hide posts from specific people. :)

How can you say if someone bought any stash tabs or no? Do i need to have a supporter badge to be allowed to say what i think could be improved?

Sensitive topic, but ultimately, it is GGG that decides who they listen to, not you and not me.

The "nerve to complain about something that is free" is actually a love for the game manifested in some cases. A wish to make it better, said out loud, for free.

If you change your viewpoint, someone else might think that it is YOU having some nerves to label someone else you did not even meet "whining".

So - for now, the donors keep the game afloat. From what can be seen, it is going to be afloat for some time at the very least. Then - why kick the "freebies" in the mouth? Some of the "feedback" they give (for free) is indeed priceless.

Because its not entirely free, ppl invest their precious time (and eventually money if they feel like it) and they can feel disappointed. Ggg are not charity, they have profitable (and pro consumer) business model. Which also involves feedback, aka complaining.

Huh.. i must have missed the "pay-2-complain" supporter packs. When did they release those?

Anyone has any right to criticize this game. Time is a currency and if you sink any into anything, you have a right to be critical of what you do and don't enjoy about it.

Spending money in this game doesn't mean my opinion is any more valid than others, and I like it like that.

:)