Quote Originally Posted by Sax View Post
[...]with SE essentially double dipping.
They're triple-dipping at this point. Current iteration of AION is single-dipping (Cash shop), Guild Wars 2 is double-dipping (Buy to Play, Cash shop), Elder Scrolls Online and Final Fantasy XIV are both triple-dipping (Buy to Play, Sub to Play, Cash shop). Of course, when the former revealed their triple-dipping (well ahead of launch, so people knew what they would sign up on), it was met with a big internet outrage from fans who wanted the game to succeed, so there's that.

Other than that, I agree to with your whole post.