Anti-Aliased: Shut up woman, come buy my cat pt. 2

Just saying no is the hard part

Don't get me wrong, all of this pontificating on expensive microtransactions does not mean that I approve of them. I think that companies can offer goods for a lower price and hit a wider market, as the $25 price point is most likely out of many people's reach.

But the main thing to take away from the article is thus -- if you don't like the practice, don't buy into it. Don't angrily bitch to developers, don't slit their throats on the forums, and don't make a scene. You can let them know exactly how you feel by simply telling them that you don't want this in your game, and then by following through and not buying the item (or items) in question. If it doesn't sell, you can be sure that it won't be coming back.

But not buying it is the hard part, isn't it? No matter what the item is, you can be sure that it will be dangled in front of you throughout your play session, teasing you with its beauty and utilitarian properties. It will lurk in the item shop, it will be driven around in front of you, and it will harass you to no end until you buy it.

Just like it's harassing me right now.

So am I going to be a hypocrite?

I'm sure you might be wondering if I'm going to walk the path of the hypocrite. Heck, I'll let you in on a secret -- I bought my station cash when they were doing a double cash weekend, so this mount isn't even $25 for me. It's a much lower $12.50, the price of a decent meal at TGI Friday's.

But, even with that in mind, I think my Station Cash will continue to gather a few more cobwebs. Maybe I'll pick up some experience potions. Or maybe I'll buy myself a new set of costume armor down the line.

But a 25-dollar sparkle cat? I think not, even with the necessary cash sitting in my account.

Seraphina Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who will not get on your cat. When she's not writing here for Massively, she's rambling on her personal blog,The Experience Curve. If you want to message her, send her an e-mail at seraphina AT massively DOT com. You can also follow her on Twitter through Massively, or through her personal feed, @sera_brennan.