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Microtransactions are fine and fun unless it gives the player a distinct advantage other players can't get without having to spend money.
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I read an article about this a few months back (I didn't read the article in the OP, btw, as it was tldr). Apparently this is the difference between Western and Chinese game developers. Western developers, up until recently, tried to balance the games such that the microtransaction purchases added extra fun and flexibility, but no real advantage. Whereas the Chinese developers working for a local audience said words to the effect of "Fuck that. If people feel a disadvantage, that will just motivate them to spend more money". The irony being that the more capitalist sentiment comes from the communist country.
I think it's probably not a bad idea as long as the game has microtransactions from the beginning; at least that way you know what you're getting yourself in for. As for introducing them after the fact in games like Team Fortress - that's kinda shitty.