This discussion might get even uglier, now…

As heated as some people get already when discussing MMO payment methods and merits, today sees the announcement that The Elder Scrolls Online will have, in addition to its monthly subscription, an in-game shop using real-world money for players to purchase things in.  The announcement stresses these items will not be core to the gameplay and will include things like haircuts, but the inclusion of microtransactions at all is certain to be more than enough for many to condemn the subscription fee even more severely.

Frankly, as long as they keep the microtransactions limited to cosmetic items, such as the mentioned haircuts and possibly some unique-looking apparel it does not seem like it is particularly unexpected or unreasonable.

Just don’t make us pay to have more than two or three characters, please.