Not sure I agree with such a sweeping opinion about 'what video games have become'. I've been playing video games since the early 90s and quite frankly I've never been happier with my gaming career like I've been in the past 4-5 years. And haven't been paying anything for it (aside from the price of the game). Maybe I'm playing the 'wrong' games? I also don't play any EA games out of principle..

I do agree with the underlying sentiment. But these pay for play schemes are so easy to ignore. I play CS:GO and get a lot of enjoyment out of it without paying for skins or special weapons or whatever.