Very conflicted about the cash shop...

[Cynfael]

The subscription fee doesn't automatically entitle all players to use all FFXIV-related services and features free of additional charge. If they want to add purely cosmetic extra features to the game for purchase, what's wrong with that? If you like the items in the shop, further support the game with your small purchase and enjoy your item. If you don't like them or don't want to pay for them, play as usual and ignore the shop.

[Amused]

The subscription fee doesn't automatically entitle all players to use all FFXIV-related services and features free of additional charge. If they want to add purely cosmetic extra features to the game for purchase, what's wrong with that? If you like the items in the shop, further support the game with your small purchase and enjoy your item. If you don't like them or don't want to pay for them, play as usual and ignore the shop.

You can't seriously be defending something like this. We already pay them to support the game. We buy the game. We pay for our subscriptions. We pay for character services. We pay for expansion. That should be more than enough. They do not need to exploit us by withholding items to sell in the cash shop. It seems so disrespectful to fans who have been supporting them for so long.

Also, as far as I'm concerned, the vanity aspect is the real "winning", not the numbers on an item or how fast I level. So yes, a cosmetic cash shop is still pay to win in my opinion, because having fun is how I win, and cosmetics are fun to play with.

[Musashidon]

Also, as far as I'm concerned, the vanity aspect is the real "winning", not the numbers on an item or how fast I level. So yes, a cosmetic cash shop is still pay to win in my opinion, because having fun is how I win, and cosmetics are fun to play with.

pay to win is solely you have to pay to win. not what you think.

until they sell the best crafter gear and best pve/pvp gear it won't be pay to win.

[Xairos]

You can't seriously be defending something like this. We already pay them to support the game. We buy the game. We pay for our subscriptions. We pay for character services. We pay for expansion. That should be more than enough. They do not need to exploit us by withholding items to sell in the cash shop. It seems so disrespectful to fans who have been supporting them for so long.

Also, as far as I'm concerned, the vanity aspect is the real "winning", not the numbers on an item or how fast I level. So yes, a cosmetic cash shop is still pay to win in my opinion, because having fun is how I win, and cosmetics are fun to play with.

Here is the kicker, if i want to get back into the game after a break of my choice, my price is the flat sub fee. nothing more, nothing less. If i get some extra cash for a gift and want to spiff up my in game character, then its cool to have that option.

[Amused]

Here is the kicker, if i want to get back into the game after a break of my choice, my price is the flat sub fee. nothing more, nothing less. If i get some extra cash for a gift and want to spiff up my in game character, then its cool to have that option.

Because that "gift" should be part of the game to begin with. That is what you're paying for.

WoW has been doing it for years, you could really tell how it hurt them. Right? And many of those items actually did have advantages, like the mounts with higher speed/etc.
People will get over it or leave, you can pretend to be entitled and butthurt all day long but at the end of the day they are a business with employees who have families with mouths to feed. If a sector of your business has a potential for profit that can help make up for other departments that are not doing as well at the moment you seize the opportunity. Business 101.

Just because WoW is doing it doesn't mean that it's okay. Look how they said that they didn't have enough resources to do new mounts but apparently have enough resources to still throw new mounts in the cash shop.

That sort of thing is just completely disrespectful to your fans. It's honestly sickening.

[Fayto]

You can't seriously be defending something like this. We already pay them to support the game. We buy the game. We pay for our subscriptions. We pay for character services. We pay for expansion. That should be more than enough. They do not need to exploit us by withholding items to sell in the cash shop. It seems so disrespectful to fans who have been supporting them for so long.

Also, as far as I'm concerned, the vanity aspect is the real "winning", not the numbers on an item or how fast I level. So yes, a cosmetic cash shop is still pay to win in my opinion, because having fun is how I win, and cosmetics are fun to play with.

Get off your high horse.

[Amused]

Get off your high horse.

What high horse? Am I not allowed to politely express my concern for something that I've become deeply invested in and passionate about?

[Fatestorm]

The subscription fee doesn't automatically entitle all players to use all FFXIV-related services and features free of additional charge.

You're wrong. That's exactly what a subscription fee does. With that fee, I now have access to all of this game's content, as does all of the players. Double-dipping is completely inexcusable so long as they are collecting a monthly subscription fee from all their players.

[Fellisin]

You're wrong. That's exactly what a subscription fee does. With that fee, I now have access to all of this game's content, as does all of the players. Double-dipping is completely inexcusable so long as they are collecting a monthly subscription fee from all their players.

I keep seeing this argument being used. But according to SE that's not true that the fee gives you access to all content. From Square Enix FFXIV user agreement.

Section 4. Billing.

4.1

".. Square Enix may offer different subscription plans in its sole discretion. Further, Square Enix may offer you the chance to purchase additional features for your FFXIV Service Account, which we call "Add-ons" or "Options." Add-ons may be subject to either additional recurring fees or one-time fees .."

Not that I want take sides in this. But this line about subscription pay for all content. I've never know to be true for any subscription based game and they always have something like this somewhere in their user agreement. So they can sell additional content, if they so wish.

[SoulKhan]

in my experience with many p2p mmos in the past ive spent years on they start to go the cash shop way with mounts and pets as a start, Then adding buffs, exp potions, drop rate potions etc. Then scary to think (housing items) I am not saying they are going to do this but for me it is The reason I left aion after 5 years of paying to play it before it went free to play and adding housing, mounts, pets, etc....
I hope SE does not go that route.