Yoshida did not make this game pay-to-win. The players did. *NOT a cash shop thread*

[Kaes]

I'm talking about the groups who are selling clears for gil, not the cash shop items.

Obviously it's possible for gil to be obtained through approved and unapproved non gameplay methods but there are enough threads about that, let's assume here that all gil involved was generated through fair and legitimate gameplay.

Now, this type of interaction is not considered "pay to win" as defined since no real money changes hands. In fact, requiring trading and interaction between different classes is part of the design of nearly every MMO.

So why did I clickbait the topic thread with "pay to win"? Because in all the debates about cash pay to win, which occasionally mention that you can buy clears, it is rarely mentioned who is selling access to thos content, for in-game currency, 100% ToS compliant and mostly accepted by other players. There are by far more ads being reposted every day in PF selling turns and primals than I have ever seen offering EB bracelets. Titan for sale. Leviathan for sale. Turns 1-9 for sale.

Personally, this doesn't bother me. It's the rumors that some players are having to pay for clears to get rid of the 100 soldiery bonus message that seems ridiculous.

You're a pretty good Dragoon. Got i130 gear, high DPS, the daily roulettes are a piece of cake for you. You try to join a static for FCoB though... the "One or more players are new..." bonus message comes up, and you get votekicked!

But... you've got three star crafters, and RNGesus your guardian Byregot has been looking kindly upon you. You find one unspoiled mining node after another, and successfully meld tier IV materia four times in a row! All you have to do now is pay up some gil, and a carry from BCoB to SCoB all the way through FCoB is all yours.

And finally, that shameful bonus will be gone.

Pay Gil to Win!

Oh... I see the sales of Eternal Bond ceremony invitations have started in earnest today.