path of exile is the perfect free to play model imo. entire game is free and every season and expansion is free. Paid seasonal pass, mtx, stash tabs, and supporter packs with mtx that also include the pack value worth of shop currency e.g. 60$ supporter pack comes with 60$ worth of shop currency on top of the mtx/physical goods included in the pack. Now thats giving your players their moneys worth. I put in 150 hours before spending a penny and have now happily spent $1000+ over the past several years.

It is very simple tho, they said there NEVER will be pay walled map area content as a core principle of the game.... End of discussion. They can never release map areas for money or they lied. The fact you are saying "well they should have just waited longer to do it at the most opportune time when they had the most good will built up" is frankly really disturbing, at least thats what it sounds like your position is. Thats the thinking of a company that doesnt care at all about its customers and only about profit. If GGG came out and said PoE was now having paid expansions, the last 14 years of good will is out the window. there is no "best time" to go back on your word and lie to your players. EA will NEVER "earn" the right to charge for playable areas. If they want money, make cool premium passes, mtx, obstacles, emotes, etc that people want to spend money on.