Quote Originally Posted by HakuroDK View Post
Can you explain to me why you feel that way? I mean, if it offered gameplay bonuses, I'd understand where you're coming from, but I have a hard time understanding that point of view when it comes to a purely aesthetic cash shop.
Mainly, it's double dipping. It's greedy and cuts off content from people refusing to pay on top of their subscription.
I was wary with the special editions and additional retainers, but this a direct attempt to suck more money out of the players. Vanity items are a huge draw to this game. It gives crafters reliance and encourages people to play content over and over, helping to ensure that there will be players available for people approaching it for the first time.
Having a cash shop also allows them to avoid having to make or appropriate content to new gear. It's less effort on their part, but they're suddenly free to charge you extra for it, and you don't get to have fun clearing content for it.

I wish Square would just choose. You want to be a subscription MMO, include all content for players to unlock. If you want a cash shop, make it free to enter but have all the cool looking items behind a paywall. But please, don't try to take both at once. This sort of mingy behavior is what ultimately turned me away from WoW and other MMO's that tried the same.

If it did offer gameplay bonuses I would drop the game here and now.