Man, this just seems to be a trend nowadays with a lot of "games-as-service" models. Inflating the micro-transaction system seems a very easy path to take toward making a game profitable, but I think it's a pretty short term solution.

These kinds of games live and die by their community. If a company decides to squeeze it for cash, then the community will feel that. Sure, die-hard fans will likely still play consistently, and they'll support the game if they continue to enjoy it, but it seriously deters new players from really diving into the game, and that sucks, because the fans would want the game to grow.

I just recently got into Paladins myself, and while I really enjoy a lot about the Champions and core gameplay, I just can't bring myself to really commit to it when seeing the way the devs are treating it as a product.

And yeah, they have to make money, and it's their choice how to do that. But I play and have played a lot of games where the sense of community is fostered by the devs (you spoil me Warframe), and that certainly pays itself back in the long run. By making it so we can't help but respect them. Then people are passionate and excited. That's one way to drive sales figures.

But, that's up to them. And I can't begrudge them for the tough choices they decide to make. After all, this is a business. I just hope those choices help this game survive and thrive, because I think it has the potential to be something great.