I have been playing a PvP MMO which allows players to spend real-life money to get in-game money and buy items from the in-game economy. Of course, it is a terrible idea to do this and anyone who does it is getting ripped off because the game has full loot mechanics and they die instantly because they usually know nothing about the game, but
By playing it, I am directly contributing to their player numbers and the economy which allows it to function. Indeed, one could argue this is the same for capital itself and that my decision to live is similarly morally questionable, and therefore the entire question is silly, but it still doesn’t sit right with me.
Am I not directly contributing to a system that uses the vulnerable to make large amount of money? Am I not doing so in a way that isn’t actually essential to my happiness or quality of life?
I think, in the mean time, I will move to a different game.
I play guild wars 2 and it has a “spend real money to get in game money” system, although it’s probably one of the least predatory ones I’ve encountered. I don’t really think it’s a big deal, or at least it’s nowhere near that of a gacha game (in fact I think they actually cap the amount you can buy per month to prevent people from going nuts and bankrupting themselves).
IMO I don’t think you’re contributing to exploitation by playing something like that unless you’re involved in one of those blockchain games that have digital landlords lol