Looting -- The official thread for discussing the loot system. Updated 18th March, 2013.

Personally, I have no argument to give, only my feelings regarding the knowledge that loot options are coming (via development manifesto). Which has everything to do with this thread.

Simply put, I feel you (GGG) have buckled to something that goes against what you wanted to do with the game. Chris himself says you guys are ninjas. You love FFA. Krip Q&A from last year when this question came up if you are wondering where he said this.

On the Overview page, this is what it says,

"Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. We're a small independent team of hardcore gamers based in New Zealand and have created Path of Exile as the game that we'd want to play ourselves. It is designed around a strong barter-based online item economy, deep character customisation, competitive PvP and ladder races. The game is completely free and will never be "pay to win". Path of Exile is currently in Open Beta!"

Now, while it doesn't mention loot, it does mention that you want to make a game you yourselves want to play. Yet, you are betraying this by offering loot options.

When it comes to this game, I recently read a post that made the most amazing observation I've seen:

"When will everyone realize that this game wasn't made for the majority. It was made for the minority." Paraphrased, but it's what was said.

I back this statement up with what you yourselves said. You are hardcore players and are making the game you would want to play. This means there is no game for you to play that's like this. And this shows that a game like this is not wanted by a majority of players because if it were, it would likely be monopolized by now and exist.

As you also said, this game was made for the hardcore. Hardcore is minority as well. I'm not going to bother defining hardcore, as it's unnecessary for this post.

I've said all this to try and have other people (and you) understand my position in saying what I'm about to say. Context, if you will.

If I were to want to buy something from you (I do), it would be because, A. I want whatever I buy, and B. I want to support you.

B is more important. Far more important to me, explicitly. However, I have less of a reason to support you now. Essentially, this is what I'm thinking:

"I want to throw money at them, because I like what they are making. However, this shows if they are pushed enough by enough people, they will betray their vision. The thing I want to see be real. The very reason I will give them my money. So, why give it to them, if I can't be certain it will be used as I had hoped it would."

I understand that you will alienate someone by making this hard decision. Whether it be many people with FFA, or few people like me with options, but a choice must be made.

The thing is that I feel like I should be the one who isn't alienated because I consider myself to be your target audience. I am a hardcore player. I love everything about this game that makes it difficult, challenging, complex, etc etc. I spend as much time as I can afford playing it. I'm not very good, but I don't think that factors into this.

That's my view on it, and pretty much how I feel about it. I'd rather loot options not be in the game, or at the very least, be separated entirely by League so I would never be affected by it in Hardcore (or Cut Throat, when it's here).

I may be in the minority, but that actually should be a good thing for this. And I'm feeling like it's not, which is the problem.