This guy gets it Terms and Services

[Dyvid]

Would the community even notice if these extra Cash Shop items didn't even exist? Would they miss them if they were gone?

That's a loaded question because you can't miss what doesn't exist. The real question is would the community prefer to buy Slepnir straight out or win it from Odin EX? Would they prefer to buy scion minions or receive them from veteran rewards? Would the community have preferred to pay gil for platinum wedding items or just pay cash?

[Giantbane]

This guy nailed it. Nobody reads the fine print anymore.

You're right, we have no legal basis to sue SE due to the inclusion of items in the cash shop

aaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddd....

that's all the ToS is there for

as a consumer anyone can feel entitled to anything they want from SE by right of the subscription they pay. And if they feel SE is not fulfilling enough of what they feel entitled to, they can complain about it through the proper channels (for instance, on the official forums) or they can quit. Every bit as much of a right as SE has to ignore their feedback if that's what they feel like doing.

[tocsin]

@Housing. I'm willing to bet that all the empty lots are medium to large plots, with all the small lots being sold out. Individuals like myself who are mad enough for buy a mansion for their (small) Free Company and a medium sized house for themselves are perfectly fine. Individuals who have a couple million Gil and would like a small house almost exclusively for the garden/stable, aren't.

Speak for yourself. we have entire subdivisions without even a single house purchased.

You chose to add yourself to an already overpopulated server, and wont shell out the money to go to a server that has housing. you cant have it all, pick what you like the most.

@Bunsen: you are a godsend. Keep up the good work.

I would rather also have the option of paying for something vanity or optional, rather than having it gated behind an in game wall that I cant access, or ever will be able to access due to lack of skill or time (AKA final coil or nexus/zodiac)

[Alberel]

So let me get this right:

The TOS covers SE's ass against any eventuality thus no one is ever allowed to complain about anything as long as the TOS covers it.

So why do these forums exist then? Is it just for people to sing endless praises to the gods or something?

The TOS also covers them against hiking the subscription fee but I'm sure you and all your cash shop loving friends would be here complaining if they hiked it to $50 a month.

[ruskie]

Why is it when you subscribe to cable TV it doesn't include HBO/Showtime?

But it does. From a certain tier onward you get all that and more...

[Taika]

Why is it that when you go to the movies, your ticket doesn't include popcorn, large drink and some Milk Duds? Why is it when you subscribe to cable TV it doesn't include HBO/Showtime? Because they are "optional" and additional revenue for businesses. Do people complain? Of course!! I'm just playing devil's advocate... I can see "why" a business would make these decisions.

There are many of these comparisons..

But the comparisons aren't accurate. In case of FFXIV, the "extra" content sold for extra fee is something that is part of the game's content, not a separate addition. Accurate comparisons would be you buying a movie ticket, and then finding out some of the scenes are blocked behind a paywall, buying HBO subscription* and having certain episodes of a series excluded, or buying a gym membership and them telling you you'll need to pay extra to be allowed to use certain weights.

The complaints are, from what I personally think and have seen others saying, about people feeling this content should be included in the subscription fee. And that the "extra" content they're selling seems to be cut from the game, which means the players who don't wish to use the cash shop will have to settle for second class experience even though they're already paying at least 120 euros / dollars a year.

*

You pay a subscription for your cable service which blocks HBO unless you purchase that in addition. It is an "extra" an "add-on"

This is a very simple, valid real life situation. Please don't try to complicate it.

Well in my home country you can't buy HBO as an "extra" for a cable service, you just buy the HBO and pay a monthly fee for it. :P Apparently this example doesn't work because it varies depending on country. I'm sure the point is understandable though.

[Bunsen]

buying HBO subscription and having certain episodes of a series excluded

You pay a subscription for your cable service which blocks HBO unless you purchase that in addition. It is an "extra" an "add-on"

This is a very simple, valid real life situation. Please don't try to complicate it.