New ways to monetize the game through customization.

[Packetdancer]

FFXIV is doing this as well with their CC season malmstones or whatever.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they say that the malmstone rewards from one series would be available in future series? E.g., if you didn't get the archfiend armor as a malmstone during this PVP series, you'll be able to purchase it outright with crystalline trophies during the next series.

(Admittedly, I seem to recall they might remove it after that. Which is perhaps a little annoying if you start doing PVP in series 3 and can't get something you wanted from series 1 as a result, but still... it's at least marginally less annoying to make the grind-for-the-thing stuff available for outright purchase once that grind is no longer current.)

We're 100% in agreement on the practices of the ESO shop. :|