Every game out there has some form or the other where you buy things you want , because you cant or do not have the time to play., if you cant get over the fact that there are waaaaay too many that spend spend waaaaay too much on a freakin GAME, then do not play or quit complaining. You need to find a way to play where you are not t he best or will ever be the best. It is still a free platform to play, If you have been playing for 20 years , you really should be better at this game by now. L2 will never be like it "used" to be, its called progress. You still have free choice, either go somewhere, spend more money playing a game. Either way you will NEVER get the same satisfaction of old DV archer parties, running to the next town or cata parties. Those days are gone ppl. Suck it up and play or dont