I find it funny that many people seem to not realize that this game was designed by Gree to MAKE THEM MONEY. It was designed so that, in order to be the best, you have to spend money. The big gold spenders aren't being dishonorable or unsportsmanlike by spending gold. They're playing the game how it was meant to be played. If you believe the game was designed to be played for free, you're very naive. If you don't like it, don't play the game. I promise you no one cares.