The Ethics of Optional Item Sales

[GenJoe]

I feel like both of you are, perhaps, new to MMOs. And I define "new" as someone who hasn't been participating in MMO games since they began to gain popularity back in the 90's. Those of us that did game since that period were around when a subscription fee allowed players to access all content added to the game (without having to pay additional fees beyond the monthly sub).

No, I've been playing MMOs since the early 2000s, 2001-2002ish. I admit, I didn't start off with any of the iconic classics like Ultima Online, DAoC, Everquest, or even Lineage, but I've been around the scene long enough to remember the days when cash shops were non-existent. Like I said, I've never bought any premium features on cash shops myself, but if that's the direction SE chooses to go as a corporation, I don't believe myself to be so damn entitled for paying a measly $15 a month to demand that they provide me with all the perks.

For better or worse, evolution happens, and there will likely come a day when no one bats an eye at cash shops or DLC. We're not there yet, nor likely to be there for some time, and until then threads like this are perfectly understandable (although obviously bound to be controversial as different generations of gamers clash).

You're exactly right, the evolution HAS happened, You may not be there, but I am. I've come to accept it for what it is, and I've chosen to embrace it, in a manner that is positive to the game, which I think SE's cash shop could use a bit of tweaking. Largely, expanding the vanity/mount sold on the shop, and introducing game-time items as a tradable in-game item. Let the players control the economy. Let US determine what gil is worth in dollars, not some smarmy gil botters.

P.S. We can get into the whole debate of real money vs. game money stuff here, but I'll just make it clear. As long as there's no abuse (account hacking, paypal scams, botting) involved, I'm perfectly fine with people trading one for the other, as long as both parties are aware of exactly what one is paying for.

Really, that shouldn't be any different than my friend buying me dinner for getting a group together to run him through contents or crafting him a set of items.. Except the voluntary part, but hey, nothing brings strangers together like a business transaction.