Come back from vacation, and first thing I know, Turbine is announcing that they're going Free to Play.

Well, kinda. They're actually doing a hybrid thing, where you can get a free account, and have limited access to things, or you can have a subscription, and have a VIP account, which gives full access. That part's not too bad, and a bit innovative.

The other half of the announcement - they're adding an in-game store. This...leaves me kind of lukewarm. I've always been wary of microtransactions. My biggest concern is the fact that in a 'normal' mmo, if you have the time, you can accomplish anything, gain whatever equipment/favor/etc you want, if you invest the time. With a store, as long as you have the money, you can get what you want, without 'earning' it. I'm going to be watching this development closely....