The latest Path of Exile 2 update came as a shock to the Xbox community, as Grinding Gear Games (GGG) officially set off the killing of one feature for the early access version, which is the Xbox Game Sharing function. This issue caused widespread turmoil within the reddit threads, with a plethora of post(s) criticizing the move, calling GGG to account. Let’s cut to the chase and learn why this had to happen, what the community has to say, and how these changes are going to affect you while in-game.
Why Has Xbox Game Sharing Been Dropped in Path of Exile 2?
Certainly not without a considerable amount of thought, GGG has decided to disable Xbox Game Sharing in Path of Exile 2. As stated in the official announcement and the supplementary photographs, the main reason was that the feature was coming under attack by bots. The bots were taking advantage of the exploit by using the Xbox Game Sharing to access the early access client of Path of Exile 2, thus reducing it to $0; bypassing the initial $30 fee for the early access license. The company opined that it had never intended for any two players to access the game because of an acquired license, especially during the paid early access period 137.
“We recently discovered that a group of bots were making use of the Xbox game share feature to obtain access to the Path of Exile 2 client.” — Official Path of Exile Forum1
The developer has emphasized that every player must now buy their own license for early access, even if they share a console with friends or family37. Their aim is to curb abusive behavior and prevent only legitimate purchases from granting access during their monetized phase4.
Reactions: Rage and Backlash
Community Responses: The Removal of Xbox Game Sharing from Path of Exile 2
The sudden removal of the Xbox Game Sharing feature in Path of Exile 2 saw a fierce backlash, especially from those who had utilized the function fully as intended. The majority of Xbox gamers have been sharing game libraries with their friends and families since this move was introduced by Microsoft in 2013. Now they feel that they are being punished because of this all-too-familiar feature in the Xbox ecosystem37.
Microtransaction buyers who played because of sharing are particularly upset.
Word is some players spent $125 or more on cosmetics and stash tabs, but these unfortunate few now have to spend an extra $30 to keep playing.
Social media and forums are flooded with protestations about fairness and the good old legit user taking the hits.
Then some regretted GGG’s inability to stop bot abuse and could have taken some better steps that might still prevent cheating.
Developer Response and Ongoing Dialogue
Following the backlash, GGG officials basically sympathized with the community while standing by their decision. They repeated that the sharing of early access had never been intended and that the change was mandated to combat bot-related abuse. Furthermore, they responded to the bug disallowing some legitimate accounts from booting up after the patch, ensuring the patching of those bugs in an opportune fashion7.
Most significantly, with various motivations, Path of Exile 2 has been controversial for a short time as a result of the implementation of new microtransactions and sweeping changes to game design, resulting
tempers between the developer and the community that are becoming increasingly strained. Removal of Xbox Game Sharing adds fuel to already flaring tensions.
Which Games Still Support Xbox Game Sharing?
There are still some pretty good titles supporting this sharing program. You can easily share games with your friends and family on the following:
Halo Infinite
Forza Horizon 5
Minecraft
Sea of Thieves
Gears 5
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
FIFA 24
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Starfield
Elden Ring
Note: Game-sharing policies may change over time with some games having particular restrictions on online gaming or early-access content. Always look out for the latest official policy of these titles.
In Conclusion
Removing the Xbox Game Sharing Feature in Path of Exile 2 for stopping the abuse from bots during its early access period clearly marks a more crucial juncture in development, even if public outcry brought out its more vulnerable side on the subject. Towards the end, and only by example, we shall see how GGG responds to the continuous conversation and whether others will follow suit, restricting the action, in terms of game sharing comfort for Xbox enthusiasts.
Key Takeaway: While the players suffer from the Path of Exile 2 update that removed the Xbox Game Sharing feature, instances may be forgotten for the future if GGG starts responding to what the community is saying and other developers join in in stopping such shit in-game.
Other News Sources
Official Forum Announcement – Grinding Gear Games explains the decision to disable Xbox Game Sharing due to bot exploitation and outlines the changes in patch 0.2.0f.Path of Exile, Gamepressure.com
Game Rant – This article discusses the community’s backlash following the update that ended game sharing on Xbox consoles.Game Rant
Fextralife – Provides an overview of the update, highlighting the restriction on shared access and the resulting player dissatisfaction.Fextralife
Gamepressure – Offers a detailed look at patch 0.2.0f, including new features and the removal of Xbox access sharing, along with player reactions.Gamepressure.com, Path of Exile
Reddit Discussion – A community thread where players share their experiences and opinions regarding the removal of Xbox Game Sharing.Reddit
YouTube Coverage – A video summarizing the patch and its impact on Xbox Game Sharing.YouTube