Isn't that kind of the point of games in general? "Unlock" is just another term for progression. Most games have a level of progression. I can't think of one that doesn't.
The issue here is that the level of progression has increased astronomically and they have "helped" you by making the grind easier with purchasing your "unlocks".
Most games give you "something", even if you lose when it comes to some sort of in-game currency. Racing games give you a few credits, shooters may give you something (XP, points, etc ... ), RPG's give you XP usually when fighting even the lowliest of monsters. It's just expected. Games are supposed to be fun.
This game will reward you with nothing even for things out of your control. A coach's challenge comes up, "Get the game within 10" and you make 2 3 pointers, team doesn't pass to you, you're benched and half time automatically completes. You lose the game overall and get 0 VC for it (just had this happen). 5-8 minutes of playing and absolutely nothing. But, I can buy some.
That's fucking despicable.
Exactly.
JRPGs is one of my favorite genres. Fighting games as well (and I include Smash in there, come at me...)
Both are genres notorious for either grinds or unlocks. In the case of RPGs, unlocking a skill (say, like, grinding for hours to unlock a class in Dragon Quest VII). But when there are things put into the game that are paid for that can reduce the grind, well, that's a whole different thing for me. At that point you don't know if the design was built around finding a sweet spot where you could get just enough people to take the paid shortcut while still allowing people to claim that "it's no different than the past, now it's just an optional convenience".
To get rid of any doubt, get rid of the paid shortcuts. Calling them a convenience is bullshit; a convenience would be a code. A convenience could be something at least more palpable like double XP weekends or (like in world of warcraft) "rested EXP", a small bonus for when you're not playing.
A convenience shouldn't come with a price tag. The game already does.
In my post about MLB the show...I admit it's conjecture, but it's conjecture based on trends we're seeing right now across the industry and even trends Sony San Diego has been showing in their series over the past few years.
So if I'm jumping the gun a bit, well, isn't that what we're supposed to do? Read any thread on these kinds of things popping up and one of the common responses is "if you're complaining now, it's too late". So, complain earlier. Ask questions earlier. Be skeptical. Vote with your dollar. The trend of the industry is headed in one direction, but trends can be reversed. Just look at the DRM campaign.
The way things are heading gaming is starting to look a lot more like gambling. Not real gambling with fixed odds like blackjack; but that fake, controlled gambling like electronic slots or rigged carnival games. The example of the game giving you goals that it won't allow you to meet is perfect. "Score 10 points...in 2 plays...or you're done"
