Nexon Q & A Followup

Q: When the Cash Shop was implemented in October 2005, a promise was made to the community that users who chose to purchase NX Cash would never be given an unfair advantage over those who did not, a promise that many maplers feel has been broken. Knowing this, would Nexon consider leveling the playing field by re-evaluating Cash Shop items like miracle cubes and the unfair advantages many other cash items give players as well as other features like the potential item system? KhainiWest of Khaini and MrChefBandit of Bera

A: The development team works hard to create a balanced and fun environment in MapleStory for our players to enjoy. Although there are items that can only be purchased, we also provide opportunities for players to obtain items and benefits through various events and in-game promotions. Moving forward, we’ll turn our ears to our players even more and do our best to implement more of their suggestions.

Basically everything that 案山子 said. I resonate so strongly with the idea that NX has ruined game balance and gives players unfair advantages over players, moreso than someone working harder than someone else to get better equipment. It's expected that someone who puts more time into their game will get more out of it; it shouldn't be expected that someone who shoves money into a random upgrade process gets more out of it than the person who invested time instead. A free-to-play game should not have pay-to-win elements.