SaltEMike is strongly against the sale of items in video games, particularly in Star Citizen, as he believes it diminishes the sense of achievement and undermines the unique opportunities offered by gaming. He argues that everyone should be able to enjoy the game at their own pace without compromising the experience for others, and that preserving the sense of accomplishment and progression is crucial.
The speaker, SaltEMike, is strongly against the idea of selling items in video games, particularly in the context of Star Citizen. He argues that the sense of achievement and progression that comes from working hard to obtain rare and powerful items is an essential part of playing video games. He believes that when these items can be simply bought, it diminishes the value of the achievement and removes the satisfaction that comes from earning them. He also emphasizes that video games offer a unique opportunity to achieve things that may not be attainable in real life, and selling items for real money undermines this aspect. He expresses frustration towards those who argue that not having time to grind for these items justifies their purchase, stating that in MMOs, time is unlimited and everyone has the opportunity to achieve things at their own pace. He believes that selling items for real money only benefits the company’s revenue and detracts from the overall gaming experience.
SaltEMike acknowledges that some people enjoy the camaraderie and community aspect of games, such as forming exclusive clubs or groups, and supports their right to pursue their own interests within the game. However, he strongly opposes when these groups and individuals actively fight against progression systems and grinds, using real-life time constraints as an excuse. He believes that if someone does not have the time to invest in playing the game, then they should not expect to have the same achievements and rewards as those who do. He argues that everyone should be able to enjoy the game at their own pace without ruining the experience for others. SaltEMike concludes by stating that Star Citizen cannot be labeled as pay-to-win because winning means different things to different players and that the focus should be on preserving the sense of accomplishment and progression within the game.