Not defending the NW model, but how can you possibly complain about it compared to D3? D3 is the absolute perfect incarnation of p2w. The "entire game" is based on getting gear, all of which you can buy for real-life money. And worse, that money flows both ways - that amazing crossbow you are hauling around can be…
Whatever your thoughts on the 3e/4e edition war, there is this little empirical fact: The outrage against 4e was strong enough that it spawned an entire product line (Pathfinder) that has outsold the D&D books fairly regularly. This has never happened before and has seriously fragmented an already (relatively) small market…