Rift Locks Progression Gear In The Cash Shop

Beginning with Rift's latest update, today, January 27th, Trion Worlds requires players to earn Earring Slot unlocks and Planewalker: Water by purchasing them through the cash shop marketplace. Previously, both items were obtainable with Voidstones. But now, players will either have to fork over cash or trade in in-game currency for REX to purchase both from the marketplace. Players were given a—short—two day notice to trade in their Voidstones "for these cool items today!"

The exuberant exclamation marks in the official post have not been felt by the playerbase, who have responded with largely negative criticism.

An official follow up post from Ocho of the community team clarified the situation:

"Ultimately this is a business decision, to best support RIFT moving forward into the future. We're on the cusp right now of RIFT's 5th Anniversary, and we've got great stuff planned for 2016. But that stuff takes Engineers and Designers and CS and QA and a whole lot of other folks."

Ocho also posted the pricing for both items:

"We're going allow Earring Slots and PlaneWalker: Water to be purchased individually for Credits, and will be removing the Typhoon Edition from the store for Credits.

Prices will be as follows:

1. Earring Slots -2250 Credits
2. Planewalker: Water - 1500 Credits"

The situation seems to be another portent of the game's state, and follows on the heels of Rift guild Apotheosys' claims of mistreatment by Trion. Watch the satirical rant about Trion from one of Apotheosys' members below.

What do you think of Trion's decision to make Earring Slot unlocks and Planewalker: Water available exclusively through the marketplace?