Grinding Gear Games (GGG) recently sat down with Zizaran to talk about Path of Exile 2. Honestly, the interview was tough to watch — the synergy just wasn’t there. More importantly, it reminded me of a bigger issue: streamers are not representative of the average player. What’s fun to stream and what’s fun to play are two very different things.
Zizaran asked some tough questions — credit where it’s due — but he hadn’t played the new Huntress class, which left a frustrating gap in the conversation. If you’re the one asking questions on behalf of the community, you should come prepared with experience in the content you’re covering.
A Better Interview, A Better Direction
While all this unfolded, GGG kept working on updates. I waited to see how things settled. I’m glad I did — because then came Jonathan Rogers’ interview on Dropped Frames, and it was a breath of fresh air.
Jonathan announced he’ll stream his own gameplay — a move I’d hoped for. His playstyle differs from most players, and watching him will be eye-opening for both him and us. More importantly, it opens the door for direct developer-to-player communication, without streamers acting as middlemen.
The Real Disconnect: Who Should Developers Listen To?
And that’s the heart of it: players need to be heard directly — not filtered through content creators whose income is directly dependent on the game. A streamer’s job is to entertain or teach. The average player’s goal is to have fun. When GGG only listens to streamers, they risk losing touch with the majority of their players. Especially if the streamer has a conflict of interest where their income is directly dependent on the game.
GGG’s Structure and Vision Going Forward
It was also reassuring to hear more about the studio’s leadership structure. When Chris Wilson stepped down, things felt unclear. Jonathan mentioned he still talks to Chris — just not in an official capacity. I was concerned the change in ownership was causing mismanagement issues. It seems as though Sixjoy (a Tencent subsidiary) is letting GGG operate independently. That’s good news.
What Kind of Game Is PoE2, Really?
Jonathan made it clear: PoE2 isn’t PoE1, but should still be fun to play. He is focused on creating a game he finds fun to play, which is important. His vision? Players enjoy playing both games.
For me, PoE2 feels like a game you play once and walk away from. The zones are massive, enemies are tough (which is fine), and getting to the endgame takes time. Once you’re there, you stay.
Replayability Remains a Sticking Point
Jonathan acknowledged this, saying even repetitive content like endgame maps stays fun when players feel empowered. He also pointed out that second playthroughs are faster thanks to gear you’ve already earned.
But here’s what he’s missing: players like me aren’t replaying. The idea of slogging through the same story again makes me want to skip leagues entirely. Other games offer ways to bypass story after the first run. Could PoE2 do something similar?
Jonathan pushed back: if you skip the story, what fills that gameplay space? Fair point. Still, there has to be a way to respect the player’s time. He mentioned new league mechanics making gameplay different. They also discussed faster progression tools. I’m hopeful about that.
Small Wins Matter: Build Importing Is a Good Start
One great update: build importers. While Jonathan doesn’t want full templates, he’s fine with imports if players find builds elsewhere. That’s a win.
The Bottom Line: Let Players Speak for Themselves
If PoE2 isn’t hitting the mark for you, it’s okay to step away. Try something else — Last Epoch’s latest patch might scratch that ARPG itch. Or go nostalgic with TES: Oblivion Remastered. There’s also Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with its chilling time-reset premise where turning 34 means instant death.
But more importantly, I hope Jonathan streaming his gameplay will be the beginning of GGG forming a stronger connection with players. Content creators serve a role, but they shouldn’t speak for everyone. If PoE2 is to evolve, it must evolve with its real players — not just its loudest ones.
