Battle passes yes. Often battle passes will have a free progression tier and a paid one. But seasons are often just made so people have an incentive to come back to the game. In the case of diablo3 and path of exile for example a new season will mark a new patch that changes game mechanics (buff certain builds, Nerf others or through new items enable builds that weren't possible before). To play a season you have to start a new character so that gives you the incentive to try a new build which Poe has plenty of. Seasons will also introduce a mechanic only available in the season that make playing it feel unique and different. Season mechanics often require a lot of Dev work and are free to play but sometimes come with a season pass (that is optional )or the developer just hopes you buy some cosmetics while playing.
I guess it makes complete sense for these "live service" games, but it's so weird to me that the game itself changes and you lose access to something you might already have paid for!
I've never seen games where you lose access to something you've already paid for. But I don't play that many games so it might just be ignorance on my part. In poe you always have access to all the things you've paid for. Season characters become normal characters after the season ends and can be progressed normally afterwards. If you're referring to the season mechanic that is only available during the season well if you had to pay for that it's a clear contract. It's like renting a movie you can only watch said movie for a limited time. It creates an urgency and forces you to play during said season that's true. I guess this comes down to everyone's opinion because developers are very open how seasons work so it's something you like or you don't. But there's no scam involved.
So it's all just a way to sell you cosmetics?
Battle passes yes. Often battle passes will have a free progression tier and a paid one. But seasons are often just made so people have an incentive to come back to the game. In the case of diablo3 and path of exile for example a new season will mark a new patch that changes game mechanics (buff certain builds, Nerf others or through new items enable builds that weren't possible before). To play a season you have to start a new character so that gives you the incentive to try a new build which Poe has plenty of. Seasons will also introduce a mechanic only available in the season that make playing it feel unique and different. Season mechanics often require a lot of Dev work and are free to play but sometimes come with a season pass (that is optional )or the developer just hopes you buy some cosmetics while playing.
I guess it makes complete sense for these "live service" games, but it's so weird to me that the game itself changes and you lose access to something you might already have paid for!
I've never seen games where you lose access to something you've already paid for. But I don't play that many games so it might just be ignorance on my part. In poe you always have access to all the things you've paid for. Season characters become normal characters after the season ends and can be progressed normally afterwards. If you're referring to the season mechanic that is only available during the season well if you had to pay for that it's a clear contract. It's like renting a movie you can only watch said movie for a limited time. It creates an urgency and forces you to play during said season that's true. I guess this comes down to everyone's opinion because developers are very open how seasons work so it's something you like or you don't. But there's no scam involved.