Path of Exile 2 (POE 2) offers a rich and expansive gaming experience, with its intricate lore, vast world-building, and dynamic economic systems. One of the game’s most interesting features is its currency system, where items such as Orbs and Exalted Orbs play a central role in trade, crafting, and progression. While the economy of POE 2 is largely player-driven, it also reflects certain global economic structures that can be analyzed through postcolonial lenses. By examining POE 2’s currency distribution and the way wealth flows across its player base, we can uncover parallels with real-world global economics, particularly in postcolonial contexts where historical legacies of exploitation, inequality, and resource extraction continue to shape global trade and power dynamics.

The Colonial Legacy of Economic Exploitation

Postcolonial theory is concerned with understanding how colonial powers have shaped the political, social, and economic landscapes of the modern world. The history of colonialism is marked by the extraction of resources from colonized nations and the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few metropolitan countries. These dynamics are evident in real-world global trade systems, where developing countries often remain dependent on the extraction and export of raw materials, while wealth and economic power are concentrated in more developed nations.

In POE 2, players are tasked with navigating a world filled with different factions, regions, and resources. While there is no overt colonial narrative in the game, the way currencies and items circulate within the in-game market mirrors aspects of the global economy. Certain regions within POE 2 may have more access to valuable items or resources, while others may find themselves dependent on trade and the exchange of less valuable commodities. This imbalance is reminiscent of postcolonial economic structures, where some regions or groups control the majority of wealth and resources, while others struggle to access and utilize them effectively.

Unequal Currency Distribution and Economic Power

The distribution of currency in POE 2, much like the uneven flow of resources in the real world, can be analyzed through the lens of postcolonial economics. Some in-game currencies and items are rarer and more valuable, while others are more commonly accessible. In a typical POE 2 league, certain currencies like Exalted Orbs or Chaos Orbs are often highly sought after, while other, less valuable currencies are more readily available. This creates a hierarchy within the game’s economy, where players with access to the rarer forms of currency hold a disproportionate amount of economic power.

This hierarchy can be compared to global trade imbalances, where countries rich in natural resources or technological advances have greater economic leverage. Much like wealthy nations that can exploit the resources of less-developed countries, players who possess rare currencies in POE 2 can often dominate the market and dictate prices, creating a system where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. This concentration of wealth, driven by the distribution of valuable resources, mirrors the colonial history of resource extraction and the unequal power dynamics that persist in the global economy today.

The Role of Speculation and Market Manipulation

In both real-world economies and POE 2’s virtual world, speculation plays a key role in wealth accumulation and the distribution of power. Players in POE 2 often speculate on the value of items or currencies, buying them up in anticipation of future price increases. This speculative behavior is reminiscent of practices in postcolonial economies, where the extraction of resources and manipulation of markets by powerful players can create economic instability. For instance, when the value of a currency rises in POE 2, wealthier players are often in a position to buy up large quantities of it, driving up demand and ensuring that they maintain a dominant position in the market. This mirrors the way in which wealthy nations or multinational corporations manipulate resource markets, controlling supply and demand to secure favorable trade conditions.

This speculative manipulation is further compounded by the fact that, like in many postcolonial economies, the most disadvantaged players—those without access to rare currencies or the ability to engage in large-scale trading—find themselves at the mercy of those with greater resources. In POE 2, players without access to rare or valuable items may be forced to sell their possessions at lower prices, contributing to the broader cycle of inequality within the game’s economy. Similarly, in the real world, countries without control over valuable resources or access to global markets often face economic exploitation, further entrenching the inequities established during colonial periods.

The Global Player Base and the Flow of Wealth

In addition to these internal economic dynamics, POE 2’s global player base adds another layer of complexity to its currency distribution. With players from all over the world participating in the game’s economy, there are unique regional disparities in terms of wealth and access to resources. Wealthier players or those in countries with strong economies may have more disposable income to spend on in-game items or currency, while players in less economically developed regions might find themselves at a disadvantage. This global economic disparity reflects the historical impact of colonialism, where wealth was extracted from colonized countries and concentrated in the hands of colonial powers.

In POE 2, this can be seen in the way that players from wealthier countries can dominate the market, driving prices up and making it harder for players from less affluent regions to afford valuable items. This pattern mirrors the global economic systems established during the colonial period, where the flow of wealth from colonized regions to colonial powers created a system of dependency and unequal distribution of resources. Today, postcolonial countries continue to face these disparities in global trade and economic influence, as wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a few global powers.

The Possibility of Resistance and Economic Liberation

Just as postcolonial economies have resisted economic domination through grassroots movements and alternative economic practices, players in POE 2 can resist the dominant economic structures by engaging in alternative trade practices or creating their own player-driven markets. By banding together, players can challenge the speculative market forces and engage in cooperative trading practices that redistribute wealth and resources more equitably. This mirrors the ways in which postcolonial nations have sought to regain control over their resources, using cooperative economic strategies and movements to break free from the legacy of colonial exploitation.

In POE 2, players who are able to forge strong alliances or engage in collective bargaining can create a counter-narrative to the dominant economic forces, redistributing wealth and challenging the monopolistic control of powerful players. These acts of economic resistance, though small in scale, can be seen as a form of postcolonial economic liberation, where players seek to redefine the value of in-game resources and create a more equitable system of exchange.

Conclusion

While POE 2 is a fantasy game set in a world of monsters and magic, its economy offers a reflection of real-world postcolonial economic dynamics. By examining the game’s currency distribution, the role of speculation, and the impact of global disparities, we can gain insights into the ways that historical legacies of exploitation and unequal resource distribution continue to shape modern economic systems. Just as postcolonial countries continue to fight for economic justice and fairer distribution of resources, players in POE 2 can also engage in acts of resistance, seeking to create a more equitable virtual economy through collective action and alternative trading practices. In doing so, they mirror the ongoing struggles for economic

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