I disagree. Its a good thing if you cant "buy" your points.
But this guy maybe was just unlucky and at the wrong time doing it. I had your theorie as well and his example does not prove it wrong at all.
And why is it sadly ? If you have enough gamblers who pay the insane MU on this crap. Actually its funny
Good point, on the buying points, but then again that is what we are doing every shot/swing we make.
In the case of essences it is clear this year the cost is much higher going that route for little return. Other players (granted only a couple I talked with did this) said same thing, not nearly worth the amount they paid in loot returned.
The sadly part is only that people who paid for a ticket lose the entry fee while allowing scalpers to pocket a portion of the fees, it just seems backwards. I agree, kind of funny and also kind of cool we could capitalize on it too if we choose, to each their own.
And also sadly because... they sold so much volume (I bought a couple, I regret but accept I was suckered
), as sad as seeing people pay $400 or more to join the event.
I will say though one thing I think people fail to put into perspective in the costs.
Unlike a sports or poker tournament, the entry fees are not set here, except in how much we paid in time and decay, which varies.
I have no issue paying my entry fee for a cool event overall, last year it was $400 (excessive, but my choice to raise the cost) bucks, this year was more like $80, and I already got $50 as a consolation coming + a few ranks of skill, some hps, some new tiers, not bad at all. I've paid plenty of entries to other RL events with nada to show for it.
Considering the prize pool (all of the Item loot overall (from mobs and prizes) is tens of thousands USD), a $400 ticket is not too extreme, heck some poker tournys, raffles, fantasy football leagues ect and the like can charge as much as many paid in the "entry fee" with less prize value/places in the end.