More or less I don't play games these days. Better to say mostly play old games. I have Control, but can't force me to play... every time I see this hose face I lose desire to play. Anyway I'm artist and follow news. There is no only cosmetic items... even pure cosmetic can change balance if you have better camouflage, see gameplay of one of such games. I guess that publisher use some trickery to make such cloth barely visible... if you have top monitor and play on highest settings. Other than items which mess with balance there is other ways to milk players... not just "cosmetic". Prices are discutable. True, games are much visually richer these days, but also in most cases shorter, with less content. Other than that, to make game asset / character these days artists need fraction of time. Ten years ago you need months to make character, these days this can be done in couple days. Same is with rigging / animation. Most of Real cost went down... artist salary is almost same, although they produce much more in short time. Only things which skyrocket are salary and bonuses for management. blah, blah