And that last bit is exactly why I refuse to pay companies that deliberately add inconveniences in order to get me to pay for more convenience. By paying, I’m encouraging that practice.
With Free to Play games, it’s not even just “badgering you for money.” The whole idea is that they provide a somewhat enjoyable or satisfying experience (often using tricks there, too). Then they take it away. But then, if you pay just this small amount, you can get back to your fun. Now, isn’t it worth it?
I tend to avoid anything that makes me feel like wanting to do something I would usually not want to do. With ad supported video, I usually can find a way to view it without ads. That’s where the manipulation is: in the ads themselves, or in the inconvenience of them plus an offer to pay to get rid of them.
But with F2P, the manipulation is baked into the experience. They aren’t just bombarding you with ads, but making it harder not to want to pay.
If it can make me feel that way, then it can work on anyone.