[Xerihae]

I would be willing to argue that your view of online games is in the minority there. Multi-player games are almost always a competitive arena, whether it's PvP or who has the best gear. The people that play these games solely to explore them are somewhat rare.

I may never know whether Creosote is better because he spent money, but at least if the admins of a game do not support third-party selling and actively do what they can to minimise it's effects, I can feel as if what can be done, is being done. I suppose then yes, what the admin says is more important than what's going on. I want to know that the people running the game I'm playing, commercial or not, are as interested in providing a level playing field as I am.