Is the cash shop sort of scummy?

[Slurm]

www.reddit.com/r/elderscrollsonline/comments/20cmq4/item_shop_horse_will_be_fore_sale_on_launch/

They'll be offering a horse in the cash shop on day one. Maybe it's not a big deal, maybe it is. What do you think?

I'm sort of in the camp of thinking that, because I already pay for a box and sub, I shouldn't have to worry as much about extras like travel speed and instead should just be enjoying the content. Of course it's their game, they can do what they want, but it seems like a somewhat price gouge-y style of business.

Edit: adding the Tamriel Foundry forum post on the subject:

tamrielfoundry.com/topic/cash-shop-confirmed/

edit 2: I probably wouldn't even have posted this, normally. I really think it will all depend on if this is a limited case or not. The horse they're selling can be received in game (though you have to save the money for it... and time is at a premium for people like me)

The reason I posted it is because of the developer/publisher. These are the same people who got into major shit with gamers when Oblivion released and they sold day 1 Horse Armor DLC for Oblivion. They even got made fun of by PC Gamer before Skyrim came out with this Mudcrab Armor ad:

[Barose]

I think wow did its cash shop right for a sub game. Anything more is indeed "scummy" IMO.

[Zeli]

If you can get a mount in game with game funds but they also offer a mount for real money for those who want it now, I have no problem with that. That's your choice. Time is at a premium for people like you? Then you have to make that choice. Most MMOs don't offer you a mount on day one without some sort of buy-in (usually an upgraded preorder pack - ala Rift) so I don't see the difference. Actually, it's kind of nice that people who didn't buy Imperial edition will still have the mount option open to them for a smaller fee.

As long as it's not a pay-to-win shop, I don't care. Cosmetics and mounts seem acceptable on WoW and that's a pay for a box + sub game.

Personally I think people are making this a bigger deal than it is. Is it greedy? Oh absolutely! Is it a cash-grab? Yep! Do they have a history of doing this? Apparently! If it bothers you, then don't buy stuff from it. I'm totally going to buy whatever extras I want, because MMOs are my hobby and overall it's a relatively cheap hobby when I compare it to most of my friends' hobbies. The enjoyment I'll get out of it is worth it to me.

Whatever you do, remember this isn't some big moral dilemma. You're not a hero standing up against some great injustice in the world if you choose not to buy these things. You're looking at a product and deciding to buy or not. You want to stand up for some great cause, the world is full of real problems that could use your support.

EDIT: I'm not saying you'd martyr your experience, but I've heard a few people spouting off that way and it's annoying me.

[Barose]

What Z said. what...

[Cuttersark]

I'm cool with it as long as it isn't pay-to-win. I don't remember people flipping their lids when WoW started selling custom pets and mounts...

Then again, I don't think there's any record of the developers for WoW saying they would only use their store for Member Service items only...

Way to shoot yerself in the foot, Paul Sage...

Edit: He talks about the store at -1:11:30

He's lucky the interview makes me all stupid excited to play ESO again...