Question about Continuous payment and crysta

[Aequis]

It's not really a choice. It's a decision between which is the better of two evils. If you're on a tight budget, then you don't exactly want to be overpaying for something - why should we? I "understand" it's related to the Sony/PS3 data theft incident, but instead of Square-Enix dealing with online security directly, they've dumped that task onto their consumers' shoulders. We are now having to undertake the online security risk ourselves dealing with this "dodgy" third-party company (ClickandBuy).

I'm furious that the Japanese are being given preferential treatment in this matter, as always. If you ever needed proof that Square-Enix treats their playerbase differently depending on where they live, you've got it right there. Not the first time I've seen it and I doubt it'll be the last! We are not second-class citizens because we don't live in Japan.

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

I "understand" it's related to the Sony/PS3 data theft incident, but instead of Square-Enix dealing with online security directly, they've dumped that task onto their consumers' shoulders.

The problem is that, in general, the security burden was born by no one, in the name of convenience and ease-of-use.

And implementing stronger security costs money. The options were likely shifting it to a third party that can do it for a reasonable price, or to jack subscription rates up. And looking at the player rage of having to carry a Crysta balance...

I'm furious that the Japanese are being given preferential treatment in this matter,

I'm annoyed by that as well, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, consumer protection laws in Japan are a joke, even by American standards. Merchants are allowed to shift more risk and liability onto consumers in Japan than in S-E's other markets, which means they don't have to care about their Japanese customers' credit card information as much as their North American and European customers. So in Japan it's cheaper and easier to let things continue with busniess as usual.