BioInnovations EdiX Group

In the world of Path of Exile 2 (POE 2), players often find themselves caught in the relentless cycle of currency farming. Whether it’s running maps, engaging in boss fights, or participating in various endgame activities, the quest for valuable loot and in-game currency becomes a central focus of the gameplay experience. One of the most common phenomena players experience is the "one more map" mentality—a cognitive bias where players continue to farm and grind, even when they are aware that their efforts might not lead to immediate rewards. This mindset can lead to prolonged gaming sessions, often driven by psychological factors rather than actual in-game progression. Understanding the cognitive biases at play can shed light on why players are so susceptible to this cycle and how it shapes the dynamics of currency farming.

The 'One More Map' Mentality: Understanding the Bias

The "one more map" mentality is a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy, a cognitive bias that occurs when players continue investing time and effort into an activity, even if it no longer offers a high probability of rewarding returns. In the context of POE 2, this manifests when players convince themselves that if they just run one more map or complete one more task, they will finally get the drop they have been chasing—a rare item or valuable currency. This creates a scenario where players feel compelled to keep going, despite the diminishing returns.

The sunk cost fallacy is deeply rooted in the way our brains process time and effort. The more time a player invests into a particular activity, the harder it becomes to stop, as they feel they’ve already invested too much to give up now. In POE 2, this bias is further amplified by the game's mechanics, where players often experience brief moments of reward after completing a map or killing a boss. These small victories—whether it's a rare drop or a small amount of currency—reinforce the behavior and contribute to the feeling that one more map will eventually lead to the big payoff.

Variable Reward Systems and the Gambler’s Fallacy

Another psychological factor driving the "one more map" mentality is the presence of a variable reward system in POE 2’s loot mechanics. This system is designed to deliver unpredictable rewards—sometimes players get a high-value item, and sometimes they don’t. This variability mimics the mechanics of gambling, where the uncertainty of when a reward will occur triggers excitement and keeps players engaged. The anticipation of a possible future reward activates the brain’s dopamine system, which reinforces the behavior and makes it more addictive.

This ties into what is known as the gambler’s fallacy: the belief that after a series of bad luck, a win is "due." In the context of POE 2, a player may have run multiple maps without getting a desirable drop, leading them to believe that the next map must yield a valuable item or currency. This belief in the inevitability of a reward is psychologically compelling, even though there is no statistical basis for the player’s assumption. The longer a player continues to chase this elusive reward, the stronger the cognitive bias becomes, causing them to persist even when the odds remain unchanged.

Loss Aversion and the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Loss aversion, another well-documented cognitive bias, also plays a significant role in the psychology of currency farming. Loss aversion refers to the tendency for people to prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring equivalent gains. In the case of POE 2, players are motivated to continue farming currency and loot because they fear losing out on valuable drops. This fear is heightened by the game's competitive nature, where other players are also in pursuit of the same rewards. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can be a powerful motivator, pushing players to farm even when they are tired or uninterested, simply because they do not want to miss the chance of obtaining something rare or valuable.

This bias is particularly pronounced in games like POE 2, where the value of items and currencies can fluctuate based on the economy and market demand. Players may feel that by stopping their farming efforts, they risk losing out on significant opportunities to acquire high-value items or currencies. The constant pressure to stay engaged and not "miss" a drop is reinforced by the game's mechanics, where even a small amount of currency can make a big difference in progressing one’s character or crafting the perfect item. As a result, the fear of loss leads to compulsive behavior, where players continue farming for longer than they intended, despite the diminishing returns on their time and effort.

The Role of Social Comparison and Competition

Social comparison is another factor that exacerbates the "one more map" mentality. POE 2’s online and competitive nature means that players are constantly exposed to the success and progress of others. Whether it's seeing a fellow player flaunt their newly acquired wealth or hearing about someone’s luck in a particular map, players may feel compelled to keep farming in order to keep up or surpass others. This constant comparison fuels the desire to farm more, as players believe that doing so will help them achieve similar successes.

The game’s trading system further reinforces this social comparison. Players who excel in currency farming often accumulate large amounts of in-game wealth, which can be traded for high-value items or used to boost their own progression. The pressure to keep up with other players can lead to an unhealthy obsession with currency farming, where the primary goal becomes not just obtaining loot for personal progression, but also achieving status within the community.

Escalating Engagement and Its Impact

As the biases mentioned above continue to influence behavior, the "one more map" mentality leads to escalating levels of engagement. Players often find themselves sinking more and more time into currency farming, prioritizing it over other aspects of the game or even other responsibilities in life. The psychological drivers of loot acquisition—dopamine hits from rewards, fear of missing out, and social comparison—combine to create an addictive loop that can be difficult to break.

However, this kind of engagement can also lead to burnout. Players may feel mentally exhausted from constantly chasing loot, leading to a diminished sense of enjoyment or accomplishment. While they might have started farming with the intention of having fun, the repetitive nature of the grind, fueled by cognitive biases, can shift their experience from enjoyment to obligation.

Conclusion

The psychology of "one more map" in POE 2 exemplifies the power of cognitive biases in shaping player behavior, particularly when it comes to currency farming. The sunk cost fallacy, variable reward systems, loss aversion, social comparison, and other psychological factors all contribute to the compulsive nature of the game's loot mechanics. While these biases may enhance engagement in the short term, they can also lead to unhealthy gaming habits and burnout. Understanding these psychological drivers can help players recognize when they are caught in a cycle of compulsive behavior, allowing them to take steps to regain control and enjoy the game in a more balanced way.

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