The Evolution of POE Currency Over a Decade
Path of Exile has become one of the most beloved action role-playing games in the world, known for its deep gameplay mechanics, extensive skill customization, and unique economy. At the heart of this economy is POE’s currency system, which has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to the demands of players and the changing landscape of the gaming industry. As we look back at a decade of Path of Exile’s development, we can see how the game’s currency system has transformed and adapted to both the game’s content updates and the broader gaming market.
When Path of Exile first launched in 2013, its economy was unlike that of many traditional RPGs. Unlike other games that use a single currency such as gold, POE introduced a system of orbs and scrolls, each with specific uses related to crafting, trading, and progression. The most well-known of these are the Chaos Orb, Exalted Orb, and the Orb of Fusing, which allowed players to modify items or trade them with others. This system was not only innovative but also deepened the player’s engagement with the game, as it made every item and orb valuable in its own right. Early on, the introduction of currency as an item, rather than a simple number, set POE apart from many other games in its genre.
As the game grew in popularity, so did its economy. With frequent updates and expansions, the introduction of new orbs, scrolls, and crafting mechanics kept the player base engaged and ensured that the currency system remained dynamic. For instance, the introduction of the Divine Orb, which allowed players to reroll the values of an item’s affixes, added a new layer of depth to the crafting system. The role of the currency system was further expanded with the introduction of Master crafting benches, where currency items were needed to craft specific mods and affixes on gear. The crafting system became so intricate that each orb had its own specific purpose, allowing players to fine-tune their items to their exact specifications.
Throughout the years, the way POE currency interacted with the game’s economy also evolved. Initially, currency was predominantly used for crafting and trading. As more players joined the game and the economy grew, the role of currency in trading expanded significantly. The barter-based trading system became more sophisticated, with players developing complex trade lists and online trade websites to track the value of items and orbs. This led to the rise of websites that acted as third-party marketplaces, allowing players to exchange POE currency for real-world money, which added a new dimension to the game’s economy.
The rise of third-party websites also led to some challenges. The existence of real-money trading introduced the potential for market manipulation and the growth of botting activities. As a response, Grinding Gear Games implemented various anti-cheat measures and trade restrictions to curb the influence of real-money traders and ensure the game’s economy remained as fair as possible. Despite these efforts, real-money trading continues to be a challenge for the POE economy, leading to a continuous battle between the developers and the market manipulators.
One of the most significant developments in the currency system came with the introduction of the core mechanic of “league starts.” In each new league, POE introduced new mechanics and items that added variety to the currency system. League-exclusive currency, such as the Orb of Annulment or the Harvest crafting system, was introduced to keep the economy fresh and dynamic, offering players new ways to engage with currency beyond the core system. Each league had its own meta, with new currency items becoming highly sought after, which in turn affected the value of existing orbs. This cycle of introducing new content and refreshing the currency system has kept POE’s economy vibrant, ensuring that players always have new objectives to pursue.
The complexity of POE’s currency system was further amplified with the introduction of the Atlas of Worlds, which tied currency to new endgame content and crafting opportunities. The addition of the Shaper, Elder, and other endgame bosses introduced new forms of currency that players could use to interact with these bosses and their associated mechanics. For example, players could now earn special forms of currency that allowed them to affect the spawn rates and modifiers of specific bosses in the Atlas, which created new ways for players to farm for high-value items and currency. This expansion of currency use helped keep players engaged by offering them new, rewarding challenges and a way to spend their wealth in meaningful ways.
As the game approached its tenth anniversary, the currency system had undergone many changes, with new orbs, crafting methods, and trading mechanics consistently added to the game. The addition of more sophisticated crafting options, including the use of fracturing orbs and imprinting systems, allowed players to manipulate items in increasingly creative ways. The rise of microtransactions and cosmetic currency also created a split between traditional in-game currency and cosmetic purchases, with real-money transactions being used for vanity items rather than affecting gameplay.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that Path of Exile’s currency system will continue to evolve as the game moves into the future. With the upcoming release of Path of Exile 2, players can expect significant changes to the game’s economy, potentially introducing new forms of currency, different crafting mechanics, and even more complex trading systems. As the game transitions into a new era, one can only imagine how the economy will continue to grow and adapt, all while maintaining the core principles that have made POE’s currency system so compelling: depth, value, and player-driven progression.
Over the course of a decade, Path of Exile’s currency system has grown from a simple set of orbs to a multifaceted and intricate economy. With each expansion and update, new forms of currency and trading mechanics have been introduced, keeping the player base engaged and ensuring that the economy remains fresh. As POE continues to evolve, its currency system will undoubtedly remain a central aspect of the game, continuing to drive player interactions and shaping the overall experience. The evolution of POE currency over a decade reflects both the success of the game and the unique approach Grinding Gear Games has taken to create an economy that feels as rewarding and engaging as the gameplay itself.