Why are microtransactions considered okay if they are just cosmetic?

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Actually, it's a hard science that cosmetic microtransactions trickle down to the everyday consumer, bettering everybody's lives. And anyone who says otherwise hasn't worked hard enough on the science. It's a very hard science.

 

[Kyrian007]

Cosmetic microtransactions are a great indicator of maturity in multiplayer. A screechy, compensating with overused profanity, high pitched squeak is a great indicator of immaturity. But being called a "default" by some player in golden horse armor is a dead giveaway that you are dealing with someone on that same prepubescent maturity level and is gaming with mommy and daddy's credit card rather than with any money they've earned for themselves. Basically, cosmetic microtransactions provide an indicator that a player isn't worth interacting with.

According to the data that would mean you think women are not with interacting with since women outspend everyone else on virtual cosmetic items rather than "kids with their parents credit card". From my personal interactions with my all female guilds, I can tell you women do spend a great deal on microtransactions for cosmetics, not just teens.


Women having a higher pitched voices and spending more on cosmetic items does not mean they are less mature than anyone else, it is just we have different preferences. Forcing women to have to pay extra for cosmetic preferences may actually be considered just another "pink tax" to have access to female centric content, but considering women have to pay more for female items in all aspects of our lives this really isn't any different.

You've given me something to think about actually, I hadn't even really considered what difference there might be in gender vs likelihood of a microtransaction purchase. Still, that's not exactly what I was talking about though, I just didn't really express it well enough. I'm also pretty confident that the players I'm talking about are the ones going around in the most expensive/exclusive gear without regard for function OR form, but just to overcompensate by showcasing "wealth" to separate themselves from "the defaults." I'm sure there are women gamers that do that too, but I'd say that most of the ones you deal with in your interactions probably purchase gear they like and think looks good... and that's not something I associate with immaturity. I might mistake it for such at a distance if their taste favors the "golden blingiest" of expensive gear, but just not walking within hearing distance and immediately hearing screeched insults and slurs and immediately muting them is generally enough to convince me a player is "all right."