Quote Originally Posted by Nalien View Post
Define what the core game is. Surely it's the part of the game you enjoy the most, the thing which keeps you playing? In which case, surely it differs from person to person?

I know a few people who enjoy collecting things far more than anything else in the game. People who'd do Coil just to get the Wind-up Louisoix more than anything else. Fairly sure their "core game experience" has already been pay locked given minions were the first things to get locked behind Mog Station, or soundtracks before that.

And yes, I'm well aware Yoshida said they wont go too far with it. Do I trust him though? Sadly, not anymore. I remember when veteran rewards were our cash shop, and then they added the cash shop (in an alternate reality we probably get rewards every 30 days still and all the cash shop minions/mounts/dyes are gated behind subscribing for X days, which I find fine). Heck, Retainer Ventures in the same update that let us buy two extra Retainers was already pushing it further than 2.45 has. Two extra Retainers. Two extra lots of Allagan Silver Pieces to instantly convert to Gil. Double the chance for (expensive) minions. That is an advantage, albeit small. I doubt we'll ever see powerful gear in the cash shop, but I'm certain they're going to continue to push the limit of what they can dump in there.
The core of the game is what keeps the game going. It is what MATTERS to the Developers. FF14 has few core contents

1. Content that you need to advance in through story. Not to be a dick or anything but having a different color piece of gear or mini Yuguri follow you around will certainly not help you get through the story

2. Raiding... either it be casual or Hardcore. This keeps people coming back

3. Crafting... needed for the economy and to make items

4, Gathering.. needed for the economy as well

Now if the Cash introduces anything that conflict with any of the above than that's a no no.

If Odin's horse (forgive me for my spelling ) Slepinar had even a slight speed increase that will give others an advantage.

I understand that collecting minions and dyes etc matter for some people but the reality of it, it will not help you access the core game. It is just extra.