So, reading through the recent update about items binding, I find it almost shameful. Don't misunderstand, I get part of where they're coming from- they don't want someone to just be able to buy a nice set of gear on the cheap and easy, to keep the equipment "Rare". But the way they're going about keeping it "Rare" is...utterly ridiculous. Take a note from any other MMO, and if you want an item to be rare and appealing, make it a reward for completing difficult content. You already have Tokens from JK and Vanaduke, why not just make some rare recipes or good items available from them and bind on pickup?

The problem is, the Recipe system is so token. The only difference between the buying recipes and buying actual items is that you can create more than one, but with the new update, why would you ever even do that, as you couldn't give it to someone else. My understanding was that the recipe system was in the game because it was supposed to foster interaction between players. It did- until now. Crafting is now a ridiculously silly process, that is basically just an additional step added between Earn Money -> Buy Item.

And now we come to the new possible solution- If you want to trade players high level items, you can spend EVEN MORE Crystal energy to do so. How in the world this was perceived as a solution that would be accepted happily is beyond me. It simply amplifies the previous state of affairs and causes inflation to run rampant. What is the difference between paying 1600CE for an item pre-patch, and 3200CE post patch (Because of added "i had to unbind it" markup.)? The answer is, there isn't. As much as I think of the reasons for it, its either a monumental blunder, or a carefully made, greedy maneuver. Looking to the answer provided (Because it makes items more rare and coveted), i don't see it. How does making it so only players willing to pony up cash can have items make them -More- rare? I will point to another MMO- World of Warcraft, Specifically- That [Goofy] Horse (Spectral Pony). I can safely say that while its not by nature unpleasant, players reacted horribly to it because of what it represented. And thats just a mount, a flavor item, imagine if you could start buying legendaries in that game. It wouldn't make them rare, just stupid.

I'll say it once more- if you want rare items to be in the game, make them a reward for being GOOD at your game, not for paying you large sums of money. Reward players for getting to the core, reward players for defeating bosses, for defeating danger rooms, and the like. Dont reward them for the size of their disposable income.

I hate the energy systems because its ambiguous, its hard to tell how much money Three Rings wants you to give them on a month to month basis. I'd have no problem paying for this game, but its lack of a subscription and the other methods to try to avoid paying them, makes it hard to tell how much they think their game is worth. WoW costs $15 a month, and even if you dont like the game, most people can admit, its got a hell of alot of content to it (yes, I'm aware that you have to buy the game and expansions, that's not the point). Spiral Knights is fun, but its in its infancy. If Three Rings is pushing such changes now, I can't imagine how this game will look a few months from now.

I'm afraid that from my perspective, the only thing i can see from the game right now is simple greed. The only improvement to the game last patch was the Auction House, which has been rendered moot by the new restrictions and costs levied upon players.

Its a shame when a game with so much potential is ruined in this fashion.