How can PoE2 become (or be seen as) AAA in 2023?

The term "AAA" is a classification used within the video gaming industry to signify high-budget, high-profile games that's typically produced and distributed by large, well-known publishers. AAA games often rank as “blockbusters” due to their extreme popularity.

In my opinion, PoE2 would become AAA product if it addressed some of the following issues PoE has had over the decade.


Better player retention. For around six years (based on steam chart) most of the players stop playing a league after (or before) the first month, which makes for most PoE to be a "filler" game until the next AAA product keeps their attention for the majority of their free time (which is over 50%+). I hope GGG has accurate metrics to determine why the majority stop playing a game (including myself).

When the game lacks rewarding goals, or stops being a "fun" experience, or a superior product arrives it's usually when players quit, which is why for me events like during the 3.19 launch, later on during November, and the Gauntlet keeps my attention/interest longer. Yes, new league mechanics/content are a nice addition as well, and the challenges for many others.

I'm sure GGG would do better, enjoying even more success if they could develop the game with the support (funding) from a large, well-known publisher that could afford to hire more staff initially, as well as build or purchase an already optimized or modern engine. Through many years the game was plagued by poor performance, crashes, and desync.

I don't think PoE2 will be AAA, but it doesn't need to be. All it needs to be is good enough, so GGG can deliver PoE3 beyond 2025 that will use the latest tech and a much better engine. PoE in 2014 came at the right time, delivered a lot for a completely F2P game, and by a lot I mean six classes, 19 ascendancies, 3 acts, deep and complex character progression with innovative endgame, alongside a lot more build creativity (thanks to no POB), and better balance.
 

PoE was different, but it delivered a lot more in a time when Diablo 3 and World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor were experiencing something similar that we've seen happen with PoE over the last 1-2 years. WOW lost a lot of subs just like PoE experienced a decline in revenue. Still, back then I had Marvel's Heroes Online to rotate, but for many years now with PoE being the only game I play for a month (or less/more) it's been challenging.

I enjoy spending my money supporting a product that I enjoy playing, it's that simple. I'm sure many here will continue to do the same, which is why GGG needs to be patient and resilient for that support to arrive. Example, I've spent $50 total on the game, and the last $10 was two years ago (month into Heist). I don't own any special tabs (have a total of 24 regular), and normal mode (Ruthless) that kept being delayed I was hyped for, but now I understand why they said "it didn't cost any resources to develop/produce", so does that mean I get a free pass to support it in 3.21 when it will be in a better state (hopefully).

GGG the support will arrive, mine and from many others, because I'm sure I'm not alone when instead of spending $20-40 more frequently I'm choosing to spend $90, $160, $240, even $480 every 1-3 years, because that's the choice GGG has made with its monetizing model. If the supporter packs never exist, many would be purchasing points without waiting, and hoping GGG will release a support pack with MTX they would enjoy using for many months or years.


Companies layoff employees, downsize/shrink and lower production when their expenses are close to profits after taxes. Tencent will sell GGG to another investor, or shut it down, and it's only a matter of time when this happens. With PoE2 we can at least feel better knowing it won't happen next year, but it's only a matter of time when like in 2025, 2028, 2030, etc.

If an investor buys the company most of the time it will be for the code and hired staff, because they rarely do to reinvest/redesign into the same product, and appealing to a market that's harder to regain their trust, loyalty, support, etc.

That's not going to happen, because the complexity and general difficulty of the game are the precise reason why:
a) the core playerbase loves the game
b) the game cannot be a AAA game due to being difficult to pick up

There's no reconciling these two.

ohh man kopo strikes again :D

Answer to the title:

Disable all privacy settings for anyone who posts on their forums.

TLDR

Simple, with 10x the budget and 100x the marketing

And here I thought you were done with PoE for good.
GGG will also still not pay you and saying "I spent $50 to support this game in last 10 years" isn't the sign of support you think it is.

Having "AAA title" is a vague term.

2023 AAA "ARPG" title has lot of meaning and these are the list:

1) AAA in Graphics that lags even RTX 4090.
2) AAA in Gameplay which translate in Responsive Game and Well-built Controls.
3) AAA in Lore that will fully immerse the player into new unexperienced story line.
4) AAA in Action which usually equates to have good PvP interaction.
5) AAA in Cash shop where you can spend millions and still unhappy AF.

You can seldom see multiple level of AAA title where the game have it all.
Right now, most of the game dev focus on Item #5 (AAA in Cash shop and just A-tier in others like Gacha RPGs and Loot Box RPGs)

I can't see PoE to be AAA in any aspect, as this game if more focused on how to make things complicated. It's more like solving rubrik's cube for the 1st time than playing an RPG game.
POE is not a bad game, but currently the best free ARPG out there I can say.

PoE 2 will be a flop, it was a great ppt at the beginning, but just a dlc at the end. My opinion, nothing else.

I think POE should be faithful to its roots.
Retain a healthy loyal community and eventually have the game discovered by new people.

POE is a niche game, it is loved exactly for being complex and deep.
There are improvements and quality of life that are very tricky to make, because it may kill an important aspect of the game, even ourselves as players may not detect that it is important and in the end we care for it.