Lets talk about Micro transactions

[Dzian]

The definition of what is considered "Pay to Win" has changed over recent years.

Originally pay to win was defined as paying for items that were superior to anything else that was obtainable through normal game play. for example if the best axe or armor in a game was only available on the cash shop.

Over time though the definition of pay to win has become any micro transaction that gives a player any advantage no matter how small over other players who don't pay. even if those items are considered optional.

This is beause It used to be argued that if said item could also be obtained through normal game play then it wasn't considered pay to win as you could get that item without paying.

However a lot of companies abused this and put those items behind insane grind walls that were almost impossible to pass simply so they could say you don't "have to" pay for the item.
For example the fastest car in a racing game might be obtained for a $15.99 microtransaction or alternatively locked behind an insane grind wall like 50,000 race wins needed to obtain it.
So while that car is technically available without paying it's realistically almost impossilbe for any players who don't pay to obtain. Thus it is still be considered pay to win. Even though that car could technically be acquired without paying. It was deliberately made to be an unrealistic obstacle.

Even things like exp boosters in games can be considered pay to win especially if those game have rank based rewards and skills. As that exp boost would ultimately give players an advantage and allow them to unlock those skils/weaponsl faster than players who don't pay for the boosters.

As such any micro transaction that gives that player an adavantage over other players is generally considered as pay to win.
this is why micro transactions should pretty much be cosmetic only as vanity is pretty much the only thing that offers no advantage to a player.

even additional retainers for example offer players advantages over players who only have 2. and thus could be considered a pay to win element within xiv.

[Nora_of_Mira]

even additional retainers for example offer players advantages over players who only have 2. and thus could be considered a pay to win element within xiv.

The only issue I have with this is that people call it an "advantage" when it's borderline "just a service you pay for". Extra inventory space, more mats from ventures, more marketboard space, etc. Does it prevent others from competing on the MB? Does it exhaust resources from ventures? Does having tens of millions of gil really affect someone who has less than 1 mil to their name? IMO, no it doesn't. Anyone can start leveling crafting make gil like anyone else.

[Moonlite]

The definition of what is considered "Pay to Win" has changed over recent years.

Can I click a love not like button for you? With no 100% set definition currently for pay2win(advance), the one side defends the corporate coffers. The other side vilifies the casual or lazy (perspective).

I still don't get why people need a load of retainers. I'm not a hoarder, i'm fine with 2.

With some basic game play and 8 max retainers you can maintain a very profitable gil flow. 14 hours a week spread over 2 hours a night from hunts/dailies/retainers/solomaps is usually a solid million/week on Balmung but it is boring. Now remember they have hinted that some sort of phone app for retainers. How many times a day you touch your phone? Lets say you can get in at least 12 venture cycles, that works out to 96 a day.

So biggest reason is hoarding again. Because you can generate enough income with 2 retainers.

The ability to have 160 slots so you can sell items in stacks of less then 10 is way greater then hoarding. You get extra gathering mats and literally sell for more then HQ if you sell 1 at a time. If they ever change the system so people can buy one out of a stack at a time, I am screwed. Also won't need the extra MB space.

[Ilan]

Can I click a love not like button for you? With no 100% set definition currently for pay2win(advance), the one side defends the corporate coffers. The other side vilifies the casual or lazy (perspective).



With some basic game play and 8 max retainers you can maintain a very profitable gil flow. 14 hours a week spread over 2 hours a night from hunts/dailies/retainers/solomaps is usually a solid million/week on Balmung but it is boring. Now remember they have hinted that some sort of phone app for retainers. How many times a day you touch your phone? Lets say you can get in at least 12 venture cycles, that works out to 96 a day.



The ability to have 160 slots so you can sell items in stacks of less then 10 is way greater then hoarding. You get extra gathering mats and literally sell for more then HQ if you sell 1 at a time. If they ever change the system so people can buy one out of a stack at a time, I am screwed. Also won't need the extra MB space.

I made and could make enough gil with 2 retainers, so 8 is obviously not necessary exept you keep every single item that you got and maybe if you cap every retainer with gil.