I could not agree more with this critical take on in-app purchases. Games have to offer value, real entertainment value. They cannot simply be addictive feedback-reward systems designed to scam the unwary.
One of the things we are committed to doing with First Sword is ensuring that everyone can not only play the game, but remain competitive, without purchasing anything. This may mean we reduce our maximum potential profit, but that is beside the point. The primary objective of a game must always be to entertain, not to chase profit.