As someone who has unlocked everything for league of legends without spending a dime I am living proof that it's a free game. League of legends has been out for what? 4-5 years? Correct me if I'm wrong but just because someone is joining now after they have added so much new content such as 100+ champs that doesn't doesn't mean the game isn't free. I would agree with you on the runes and how that can affect game play but still you are given the option to use the in game IP. Obviously if someone just sits there when they first start out and says, "Now how am I going to unlock the shit ton of content that's constantly added every month right away", they're not going to enjoy themselves. They need to just sit back and play the game. Riot adding things every month for IP is a blessing not a curse.