"Now, people are used to paying for virtual items," she adds. "Virtual life has changed substantially." Myskowski also credits games like World of WarCraft and sites like Facebook with growing awareness and use of microtransactions.
Ok, as I speculated almost a year ago - micropayiments are the (bleak) future of gayming.
Its all about $$$ folk, no wonder games stink the same as Hollywood blockbusters.
I will never ever pay for something that only 4 years ago would have been an integral part of a product. Nowadays you buy a game (provided its not an EA game lol) and its like you bought a DIY kit, you still have to invest more money to enjoy the product. You have to buy/download patches and expansions, pay for character transfers, character customizations and who knows what else.
Where will it end?
Well I guess its better that than Spore fiasco. Its so sad....