Everyone knows XIV is the cash cow. they invest the absolute minimum (shout out to intern-san) and extract the maximum. If you dont agree with this cash shop stuff, vote with your wallet and dont buy anything off there. While whales will continue to urinate their money up the wall, at least you'll know you didnt contribute to the problem. There is absolutely 0 reason for the cash shop to exist when they charge a base fee and a sub cost. Maybe they could add these items into the game to be earned instead of brought to help with player retention and droughts but I guess mr shareholder wouldnt be too happy with that.