This is just appalling

[Bourne_Endeavor]

Hmm but I am wondering if that is altogether the 100% truth though....He IS the producer and director of the game...to not have any influence or power over the cash shop of that game seems a bit suspicious.

Not that it definitely is a fib or anything...just you can't always believe every thing people say especially when it comes to businesses...they may fib or little white lie to keep business practices secret. (Source: working for companies irl and hearing these "little white lies" on a daily basis when it comes to keeping customers happy or reassured.)

I imagine Yoshida advises what players have interest in, such as the Krile outfit, but is otherwise wholly separated from the pricing aspect. Most DLC is handled by either a portion of the development team or a subsidiary. I wouldn't be surprised if MMO cash shops function similarly.

Blade and Soul is probably the worst game you could use to defend cash shops, as currency exchange allows you to buy anything from the cash shop using in-game gold (Including character slots and their version of Fantasia)

Also note that the normal price point for costumes is $12, which sometimes dips to $8 when they go on sale. $15 is the outlier and normally includes other items or hair.

So does WoW yet that doesn't stop people vilifying it. Blade & Soul adds substantially more to their cash shop and promotes a very heavy grind style of gameplay whereas FFXIV has only a handful of truly unique items. Mogstation sales are similar. They've had Sleipnir on sale for 50% annually.