Paywall: Stash Tabs

Hello,

I was actually pleasantly surprised that I now have the same stash tabs in PoE 1, which I bought in PoE 2. But I can't help, but think that these tabs should already be included into the game, without people having to buy them with a currency that you have to pay real money for.

For example the gem tab seems to make life much easier than it is without it.

I get that GGG needs to earn money somehow, seeing that PoE 1 is a free product and PoE 2 will be as well. I get that and I really think the business plan here is beautiful. Make it a free product, let people who really enjoy it spend money on it through cosmetical items. And hey, apparently it made enough money for GGG to make PoE 2 in a way that is rich in presentation. I bet that cost a lot of money, especially that Geonor fight with the music and everything. The animations, man. Really nice.

But still, this should not be hidden behind a paywall. I would much rather see only cosmetical items being able to be bought with real money, not stash tabs. It's kind of rude, if you ask me.

But like I said. Making games cost money and I understand that maybe this is necessary. And also, like I said, I get that complaining about this could also be seen as kind of rude, because PoE 1 for example is already a free product.

Anyway.



In kind regards

Stash tabs are likely their highest source of income

And to be fair, just think of them as "buying the game"

Dude, GGG has to eat too. Its not a charity but a business.

The problem isn’t just that stash tabs are behind a paywall—it’s that the game mechanics themselves push you to hoard more and more loot just to interact with systems like the recombinator. You’re encouraged to pick up tons of random junk in hopes of getting something useful out of it, and to do that, you need more tabs—tabs for waystones, rings, jewels, and basically any item you plan to throw into that crafting slot machine.

And the worst part? You can’t just buy a few stash tabs and be done with it. If you want to play the game comfortably—without constantly cleaning, organizing, or destroying stuff you might actually need later—you end up needing a lot of stash tabs. It slowly becomes mandatory if you want to engage with the game’s core systems without driving yourself crazy.

It starts to feel less like an ARPG and more like a loot-hoarding gambling simulator. And the more you engage with it, the more stash space you need. Not because you’re rich in good items, but because the system is designed around grinding, storing, and smashing junk.

I get that GGG needs to monetize somehow—and cosmetics, supporter packs, etc., are fine—but when stash tabs become practically mandatory just to interact with the game comfortably, that’s no longer optional.

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Rockmourne#4105 wrote:

The problem isn’t just that stash tabs are behind a paywall—it’s that the game mechanics themselves push you to hoard more and more loot just to interact with systems like the recombinator. You’re encouraged to pick up tons of random junk in hopes of getting something useful out of it, and to do that, you need more tabs—tabs for waystones, rings, jewels, and basically any item you plan to throw into that crafting slot machine.

And the worst part? You can’t just buy a few stash tabs and be done with it. If you want to play the game comfortably—without constantly cleaning, organizing, or destroying stuff you might actually need later—you end up needing a lot of stash tabs. It slowly becomes mandatory if you want to engage with the game’s core systems without driving yourself crazy.

It starts to feel less like an ARPG and more like a loot-hoarding gambling simulator. And the more you engage with it, the more stash space you need. Not because you’re rich in good items, but because the system is designed around grinding, storing, and smashing junk.

I get that GGG needs to monetize somehow—and cosmetics, supporter packs, etc., are fine—but when stash tabs become practically mandatory just to interact with the game comfortably, that’s no longer optional.

These are all fair points and I agree with you. I also think if you spend close to $60 or $90, you will have all the stash tabs you'll ever need for the rest of the games life. So it's a one time cost for a "free" game.

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2836742981#3689 wrote:

So it's a one time cost for a "free" game.

its not one time cost when each league brings stackable items that only stack in paid league specific stashes bro. lets not pretend this shit ain't deceiving, which i believe is the OPs subject. i'm just glad they stopped pushing the 100% non-p2w bs they used to.

Stash Tabs are an interesting concept when financial need and design collide.
I played PoE1 from 2013-2016 with 4 tabs. Simply didn't need them. Not even for maps.

They had been adding various currency and drops like Div cards the whole time turning it into more of a sanity check than a paywall. Once PoE turned into one big boss rush game it became a paywall.

Still you could get all functionally necessary tabs for like $36 on sale. Yes, they designed the game so if you want to keep playing you have to buy tabs which is kinda dirty but it is a F2P game.

You got these other companies trying to play off that $70 is a fair price for a game.

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Hornsent#1110 wrote:

Stash tabs are likely their highest source of income

And to be fair, just think of them as "buying the game"

I think so, too. Like who can even play without stash tabs, unless it is some race or event and progress ends in a few hours or days? 😱

well since the game is free to play i dont have issues whit them selling tabs but i would love lower prices for cosmetics

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UnholyKirin#7925 wrote:

well since the game is free to play i dont have issues whit them selling tabs but i would love lower prices for cosmetics

The point is that the game is not free to play but is deceptively labeled as such. Stash tabs are required purchases if you plan on finishing the campaign with any QOL whatsoever.