This IGN article comforted me somewhat (Destiny)

by CruelLEGACEY , Toronto, Thursday, September 15, 2016, 16:06 (3134 days ago) @ Ragashingo

Every single time? Yeah it sounds awful phrased that way. In reality we have what, two real data points? Emotes and the treasure boxes? In my opinion that makes your use of "every single time" unnecessary pessimistic.

Actually, we have 4 data points:

1) No micro transactions
2) emotes
3) Sterling packages (which might contain armor and boosters)
4) Booster (which lead directly to higher drop rates of end-game gear)

That is a very clear and obvious trajectory.

Neither addition of micro transactions so far has ended the world.

Of course not. I'm not saying this one will either. Quite the opposite. My entire point is that Bungie is being very careful to push things forward SLOWLY. They're easing MTs into the game at a very gradual pace, so that the community doesn't freak out.

In fact, I'd argue that people actually like the additional emotes they can but and that the stuff in the treasure boxes are handed out so often just for playing normally that in effect we got two new armor sets for free half a year after the last paid expansion.

I agree that the emotes are great! I have absolutely zero problem with buying fun little vanity items like that. I'm less of a fan of the sterling packages (regardless of $ vs free, I just think they're a kinda cheesy). My entire point from the beginning is that this latest move is an extremely minor one, but significant because it is crossing into new territory in terms of what we can buy.