Who is Optional – A Question of Consumer Value

[Izsha]

So what you're saying is the paying customers and fan base shouldn't have a say except quit when they are displeased? Let's ask this though, Starlight is coming up and the question is would you be okay if the only reward for that was a snowflake firework while all the other Christmas themed "fluff" was for sell on the Cash Shop?

It is fluff. SE decided it's fluff. A similar example already happened. Old Halloween gear got put in the shop when previous events had the old gear from the same event at an npc. If SE decides to decorate the town but have zero costumes this Xmas event then it doesn't matter if I like it or not. My point is that I cannot claim it's p2w just because I decide my personal goal is collect holiday gear. My like or dislike has zero bearing on vanity gear being p2w.

That's the point a lot of people are missing that I'm trying to make. You don't have to like the cash shop or cash shop exclusives, but what is simply not true is putting vanity stuff in the shop and screaming it's p2w because SE decides what winning is. You are free to enjoy the game in whatever way floats your boat, but you don't get to redefine the game SE created.

To expand on my previous example, if the NBA approves new shoes that look different and squeak more but are very expensive and have no impact on the actual basketball game, you don't get to shout 'p2w not fair!' Because you and some friends declare the most squeaky team the winner. You didn't make the game. You can do what you want in you backyard but not rage out at the NBA over vanity shoes that squeak more.

What I am NOT saying is you can't have an opinion. What I'm trying to point out is that the idea that vanity exclusives in shop is in no way p2w because SE decides what winning is. I don't really care if you like shop or not. I'm honestly pretty neutral about the while thing. But this stance rooted in vanity=winning used to justify shop as p2w doesn't have much rational basis.