I want an official response.

[silentwindfr]

...But it seems that the market has been shifting slowly, because a lot of people would be willing to pay more than $15/month for something that's their primary form of entertainment, but nobody wants to actually be the one to pull the trigger and raise that price due to "sticker shock".

actually it's false, this people will scream if the subs increase actually, they are ok to pay overcharged item on the cash shop, because it's one time. ask them to pay more per month and they will be the first to leave.
same for the player that spend tons of cash into a cash shop into a free to play, ask him if he want him game to become a subs game where all the content of the cash shop will be included free. the answer will amaze you, it's willoften be a big NO!
why? because it's a bragging right that they buy, it's not really the cosmetic stuff, but a bragging right to show off. it's a bit like the people that buy the last iphone and after show off, even if it have cost them one arm for buy it. it's only a matter of bragging right and being lazy, yes lazy, because if it was into the game, it will ask time and dedication for get this item and they don't want to dedicate themself for this.

for make simple, they have cash or willing to pay with cash and want to be able to braggs and skip time on doing stuff in game.
that the sad reality of the trouble about the cash shop.

[einwol]

I understand that the cash shop enables SE to make money. I'm glad they are able to do well. I bought a computer and the game to support them as Final Fantasy XI helped me get through dark times in my life. With that said, I find the lack of opportunities to get "optional items" in game discouraging. I love the ADS mount for PVP, it is a great incentive to do PVP even though the took away the exp earned from the launch of stormblood. But I look at something like the Carbuncle mount and I believe it is cash shop only. I love carbuncle, but I wouldn't buy as it feels like I'm being exploited. We get taken advantage of all the time in real life: costs for food, housing, education, the list goes on.

It is the exploitation that burns here. I too would like Yoshi-P to respond to this fact. If not directly acknowledging how they are treating us, but by revamping the rewards in-game. Eureka could present opportunities to address this.

[einwol]

Honestly though, this feeling of exploitation makes me want to find another game to play. What happen to making a product or experience because you enjoy doing so. Why must everything only be about profit....

Has anyone tried to address this practice direct to Yoshi-P via live letter questions or to the community team?