Yikes, that's pricey, particularly for the number of frags. Sadly, I'm used to it on the NA version "4.0" (not true 4.0, hence scare quotes). ~_~ The only things keeping me from playing China nearly exclusively is, server wonkiness, the language barrier, and the need to verify my age so I can play without getting kicked for the day for being on for more than a few hours.

Long potential post made shorter? We've got a very unbalanced, lopsided version of the game right now, posing as 4.0. Not enough accessible, new characters, and skill breaks to combat the P2W folks, and the nearly broken powerful characters. I can't play as long on China, and I still got someone faster there than here (getting frags on both at the same time, too), because of the character scroll/tree shop. Without spending my coupons either, just coins we don't have here, that you don't have to pay real money for either. Just playing the game there rewards you a *lot* more. Preaching to the choir, I know, for anyone that plays in other regions versions.

This, so very much this. Frankly, it's downright insane to expect anyone to pay this kind of amount for 1 character on 1 game. China is doing it right, like I said. And I'd guarantee people get a lot more enjoyment out of it, and that's ultimately the point for players, isn't it? For those kinds of real money prices, people could go out and buy a console, or upgrade their PC, and possibly still have money for full games. I feel bad for players, overall, not just those of us who are F2P (or mostly F2P), but P2W too, because everybody is getting gouged at such costs.

You earn more long term by keeping costs low, and expanding and keeping userbase.

Seriously. Anyone who does play, and can deal with the issues of China (obvious language barrier, time limit unless you dig deep and fix, and *ty servers), really ought to give it a look. They just got a new summer Ino variant (not swimsuit), that's on top of the various others we're likely A) ages from getting and B) probably screwed on how to obtain them. Then there's, I think, Rikudou Sennin Mode Naruto, and similarly, with Madara. Plus Susano'o Kakashi, among others.

The roster there is larger, and some of which, at least, like the new Ino, or I think Ramen Naruto, and Christmas Sakura were event ninja you could easily obtain. Somebody dedicated on there could grind and get harder to get characters from pulls here, like Sage Naruto (can do there 750 gold shuriken coins, limit of 5 per day). There I'm close to having all the Pain except Tendo. And *he* can be obtained easier too.

I just don't like seeing people screwed over what is ultimately just a game, and one that should be fairly accessible, and fun for everyone. I know whale players can be taken down by F2P, but it's unduly difficult here, when a lot is down to dumb luck/drop rates, and much longer grinds.