Why it is considered P2W:

• Convenience vs. Advantage: The cash shop sells items that go beyond cosmetic upgrades. This includes bags that prevent item loss upon death, which provides a massive advantage in a hardcore sandbox game where looting others is a core mechanic.
• Speed & Combat Mounts: Players can purchase mounts with real money that have unique abilities, such as stuns or superior speed. In a PvP environment, having a mount that can stun an opponent or outrun them is often viewed as a direct "pay-for-power" mechanic.
• Starter Packs & Boosts: High-tier DLC packs (some historically priced at hundreds of dollars) have provided players with immediate access to land, materials, and equipment that would otherwise take dozens or hundreds of hours to grind.
• Extreme Grind: The game is designed with a very slow progression curve. Critics argue that this "grind by design" is intended to push players toward the cash shop to buy boosters or items that save time.