Chat GPT about Path of Exile 2 looting system... I think conclusion is pretty spot on!

(just a fun quick chat with Chat GPT, wondering what it would say... I'm not gonna include the whole convo, it's gonna be huge... just mainly read the Conclusion, it's interesting but the AI got it pretty spot on)

Do you think Path of Exile 2 will be successful if it doesn't address the lack exciting loot?

ChatGPT said:

Whether Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) will be successful if it doesn’t address the loot issues is a complex question. Path of Exile (PoE) has always had a dedicated player base, and its focus on deep character customization, crafting, and endgame content has kept it popular. However, as the ARPG market has evolved, particularly with other looter games offering more immediate, varied, and rewarding loot systems, loot issues could become a more significant barrier to PoE 2's success.

Let’s break this down into some key factors:

1. Core Audience (Hardcore ARPG Fans)

Loyal Fanbase: PoE has a large, loyal community that appreciates the game’s complexity, crafting systems, and deep gameplay. These players are likely to stick with PoE 2 regardless of the loot issues, as long as the game still offers meaningful progression, challenging content, and deep customization. For this core audience, the complexity of loot and the crafting-focused system are actually features, not bugs.

Potential Downsides: However, even hardcore fans may grow frustrated if the loot progression feels too monotonous or unrewarding over time. If loot doesn't feel impactful or exciting, even these dedicated players might find the experience less satisfying, especially if crafting becomes the only meaningful way to get good gear.

2. Wider Appeal (Casual and New Players)

Immediate Rewards: For new players or casual ARPG fans, PoE's loot system can feel overly complex and punishing. If PoE 2 doesn’t make loot drops feel more rewarding or impactful, it could turn off a significant portion of potential players who are looking for more instant gratification from loot, similar to what they might experience in games like Diablo 3 or Torchlight.

Competition from Other Games: In an increasingly competitive ARPG landscape, other games that focus on varied and impactful loot—like Diablo 4, Lost Ark, or Wolcen—may attract players who aren’t as drawn to PoE's crafting-heavy approach. If PoE 2 doesn't address the loot concerns, it risks falling behind in terms of overall appeal and player engagement.

3. Loot System as a Core Mechanic

Loot-driven Gameplay: ARPGs live and die by their loot systems. Loot progression is a central mechanic that hooks players and drives their desire to continue playing. If PoE 2 doesn't evolve the loot system, players may lose interest more quickly, especially if the loot doesn’t feel varied, rewarding, or worth pursuing.

Crafting vs. Loot Drops: Crafting is a huge part of PoE, but a solid loot system that makes loot drops exciting in and of themselves (without relying solely on crafting) would add a lot to the game. If PoE 2 continues to focus too heavily on crafting, without making loot drops feel significant or meaningful, it could hurt its overall appeal.

4. Content and Endgame

Endgame Content: PoE's endgame (e.g., the Atlas of Worlds, Delve, etc.) has been a major selling point, and PoE 2 is expected to improve upon that. If PoE 2 can offer a compelling endgame that is rewarding even without perfect loot drops, this could mitigate some of the issues with loot progression. However, if loot feels unrewarding through the leveling phase, it could dampen the excitement for the endgame content, since players will be less motivated to continue grinding.

Leagues and Seasonal Content: PoE's regular leagues have been a key feature, offering fresh mechanics and new ways to earn loot and progress. If PoE 2 continues to innovate in this area, it could offset some of the dissatisfaction with loot drops by providing engaging, temporary content that makes loot feel more rewarding.

5. Market Trends and Player Expectations

Changing Expectations: The gaming market is changing. Players are increasingly expecting looter games to have rewarding, diverse loot systems. Games like Diablo 4 and Diablo 3 focus on high-impact loot drops, which may raise expectations for PoE 2. If PoE 2 doesn't adapt, it could struggle to maintain its relevance in the broader ARPG landscape.

Player Retention: Loot isn’t just about collecting powerful items; it’s about the psychological rewards of finding something that fits your build or that offers an exciting power spike. If PoE 2 doesn’t address this, it could lead to higher player churn. The "hunt for loot" is a big part of what keeps players coming back.

Conclusion:

Path of Exile 2's success will ultimately depend on how it balances its complexity and crafting-heavy systems with a satisfying loot progression. If the loot issues aren’t addressed, PoE 2 may still be successful with its hardcore audience, but it could face significant challenges in attracting and retaining new or casual players. The game's success may be contingent on:

Refining the loot experience to make drops more impactful and rewarding.
Improving accessibility without sacrificing the depth that loyal players love.
Innovating the crafting system so that it feels like a complement to, rather than a replacement for, a dynamic loot experience.

If PoE 2 fails to evolve its loot systems and address these issues, it might struggle to capture the wider audience necessary for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market. However, if it can find a balance between crafting depth and a more varied, exciting loot system, PoE 2 could be both successful and enduring.

Fun thread, this is how perplexity.ai answered your question:
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/do-you-think-path-of-exile-2-w-rYfdxCRuRSulkbUAikubgQ

"

Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) has generated significant excitement, but the loot system remains a crucial factor in its potential success. While the game has many strengths, addressing the loot issue is likely essential for long-term player retention and satisfaction.

## Current Loot Situation

Initially, PoE2's loot system was criticized for being unrewarding:

- Players reported a lack of exciting drops, with some not seeing a single Unique item even after 60 hours of gameplay[4].
- The scarcity of useful gear often left players using outdated equipment long after they had outleveled it[4].
- The anticlimactic nature of loot drops was seen as a significant drawback for an ARPG, where item acquisition is a key motivator[4].

## Developer Response

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has shown awareness of these concerns and has taken steps to address them:

- A recent patch increased loot drops, including buffs to currency drop rates and rare monster rewards[7].
- Bosses now always drop at least one rare item[7].
- The developers are cautiously implementing changes, recognizing that once drop rates are increased, scaling them back can be challenging[5].

## Impact on Success

The success of PoE2 will likely depend on how well these loot improvements are received and whether they continue to evolve:

1. **Player Retention**: ARPGs thrive on the "just one more run" mentality, which is heavily driven by the excitement of potential loot drops. If the loot system remains unsatisfying, it could lead to player attrition.

2. **Community Feedback**: The PoE community is known for its engagement, and GGG's responsiveness to feedback has been praised[8]. Continued dialogue and adjustments based on player experience will be crucial.

3. **Competitive Landscape**: With other popular ARPGs in the market, PoE2 needs to offer a compelling loot system to stand out and retain its player base.

4. **Endgame Engagement**: A rewarding loot system is particularly important for endgame content, where player engagement often hinges on the pursuit of powerful and rare items.

## Conclusion

While Path of Exile 2 has many strengths, including improved gameplay mechanics and a fleshed-out endgame[4], the loot system remains a critical component of its potential success. The recent changes show that GGG is willing to adapt, which is a positive sign. However, the long-term success of the game will likely depend on continued refinement of the loot system to strike the right balance between challenge and reward.

If GGG can successfully address the loot concerns while maintaining the game's depth and complexity, PoE2 stands a strong chance of success. The developer's track record and the game's solid foundation provide a good starting point, but ongoing attention to the loot system will be crucial for the game's longevity and player satisfaction.

Citations:
[1] https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3679687
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7GiDupkghU
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3zuEGIyz28
[4] https://www.ign.com/articles/path-of-exile-2-review-early-access
[5] https://gamerant.com/path-of-exile-2-loot-drops-buff/
[6] https://webcdn.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3610057
[7] https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/path-of-exile-2-devs-respond-to-the-cries-of-the-loot-starved-masses-buffing-drops-and-promising-more-fixes-in-upcoming-patches/
[8] https://gist.ly/youtube-summarizer/path-of-exile-2-early-access-review-launch-success-and-player-endorsement

This isn't feedback, and your prompting is a whole sentence about the name of a game it has no information on... so it replies using that name, and random information about what it assumes you want to hear about "lack of exciting loot."

You should brush up on how these things work before putting weight in their responses...

O yes, they are just making the same game, scared to lose the loyal fanbase they had. This will work for that fanbase. But it will not grow (or not a lot) the fanbase. Rather, it will split it up between PoE1 and PoE2.

Because if you make the same game with only what THAT fanbase wants. You are doomed to:

1. Kill off the first game, and just transport the fanbase to the new game
2. Split the fanbase over 2 games. Increasing costs for the same profit. Potentially killing 1 or both games.
3. Be forced to eventually change it so much you lose the fan base of the first game, in the new game. (But if you keep the first game, lose no one). And do it too late to make a lot of new fans with the second game. (you can still make some, but it will be less and slower then if you made the game that way from the start.)

This is my prediction of PoE 2. And the choices GGG has.

"

blackarm#7481 wrote:

This isn't feedback, and your prompting is a whole sentence about the name of a game it has no information on... so it replies using that name, and random information about what it assumes you want to hear about "lack of exciting loot."

You should brush up on how these things work before putting weight in their responses...

Chill dude, I just posted what Chat GPT said cause it's interesting... go chat with Chat GPT if you don't like it... not me!!!

NGL I don't value anything AI has to "say."

So relieved that you uninstalled that you had to share with chatGPT and then come back here and tell everyone what it said... Hmm. Embrace your truth.

every time I read something chat GPT says I am reminded of how 'Ps get degrees' students write essays.

The way it references poe2 crafting shows how diluted the text samples its referencing are.

This is either heavy prompting or just regurgitating opinion articles, majority referring to incorrect information regarding a different game (poe1).

Please dont use prompted AI to affirm your opinions on subjects that arent quantifiable or analyzing real data.

Chat GPT doesnt have any data to analyze drop rates. the only data it has are the vocal minorities opinions posted online and whatever prompting you did to achieve the results.

If you have feedback from your experience thats valid, but lets not hide behind a LLM to spam dead internet theory covering up real feedback regarding the actual game.

I posted this just as a troll... and people take it seriously... jesus... you have way too little brains...