I see where you are coming from, however, I disagree.  It is a good way of challenging yourself.  One can pick a goal, mark it, and have it listed at the top of their hanger right before heading into a match to remind them of that goal.  This then pushes them to achieve that goal and get better in one particular skill, weapon, or mech.

Out of curiosity, why is it that you wish for them to drop these various things?

Should be obvious gambling like mechanics are bad in a children's game. But it's also part of the fomo. It's the game demanding play time as opposed to earning it. Why can't they design other ways to encourage people to work on certain skills? And obviously pay to win is bad.

Well, first I would ask this question:  How many players are there that are under the age of 18 vs. how many are over it?

Next, I would point out that it is basic Pavlovian psychology.  Positive and Negative reinforcement.  If you do well, you are rewarded with Credits, A-Coins, and/or Blueprints.  If you do bad, you are punished with a loss of points that could set your Division back.  The simple fact of the matter is;  it works.

As for the pay to win, again the question; how else are they going to provide even half of the amenities that this game, or the other games offer if there is no money changing hands?

As I said, I do undersatnd your point, and in many ways I do agree with it, but I have to be the Devil's Advocate here and ask these questions.

"As for the pay to win, again the question; how else are they going to provide even half of the amenities that this game, or the other games offer if there is no money changing hands?"

What do you mean? Do you mean to imply there won't be spending if people can't buy their way to victory? Because that would be bogus.

It doesn't matter how many people there are playing mech arena who are under 18 or not its rating implies it's acceptable for minors to play it yet it has gambling mechanics.

I am sorry, but one cannotr buy their way to victory.  One can get the best mechs and weapons and max them out, mod it all the way, max out the pilots and implants, and still lose.  There is a certain level of skill involved, and it can be natural or built up over time by experience.  Spending can only increase one's chance at victory, not ensure it.

As for the gambling mechanics, I am not reading any alternate ideas.  If you have them, share them.  Do not be a malcontent.  Offer solutions, suggestions, alternate ideas.  The Mods read these, I am sure they would love some new and novel ideas.  Those suggestions just might make it into the game.

Just because you can pay and still lose doesn't mean it's not pay to win. You think it's gotta have a button you can pay to press that instantly makes you win the match for it to be pay to win? And tell me what skill is there involved in pressing a button to make your weapons fire and then pressing another button to turn yourself invulnerable while they fire so you can shoot at your enemies while they can't shoot back? What skill?

And devs don't need "new and novel ideas" to replace the gambling mechanics. What value are they adding to the game?  I know some people see an opportunity to get a cheap mech, but I just see a fomo mechanic.

If plarium needs all this stuff to get people spending that means they can't rely on the quality of the gam alone. Why might that be?

I see nothing wrong with the dailies and playoff events. Some playoff events are totally accessible to f2p players, if you are patient enough to prepare for them. I've come top 3 in a couple of them.

Regarding gambling (which I assume refers to ECRs), without real money/risk being involved, it's just the same as any other game of chance. At least per my limited understanding.. I'm not legally savvy. So I assume you are specifically against the possibility that minors might be spending real money on these games of chance. 

I totally get that concern, but am on the fence about its merits. You don't have to spend real money on the ECRs, and as long as you don't, it's probably not gambling. Sure it might tempt somebody to spend real money but spending money isn't a requirement. Plus, apart from the new infinite ECRs, spending enough money actually guarantees the final prize. Such a guarantee might also argue against the ECRs being categorised as gambling.

My point is that it's possible that MA's games of chance don't automatically fall under gambling (morally or legally) as you are suggesting they do. What are your reasons for thinking they do?

Well let's start with the fact that there being limited spending not being true for every crate rush. Let's not forget there has been infinite crates that made their way into the game within the last couple years. Last time I checked, these types of crate rushes still happen.

It's also not true for every crate rush that you don't have to spend money. They usually give 1 token for brand new releases and then you have to pay for subsequent ones. And for those where you don't have to spend money to spin you always have the option to do so.

Variable rate reward systems in video games (IE: lootboxes, "event crates" in mech arene) are proven to create gambling addicts from children. Maybe it's different for crates with only limited prizes, but there would have to be more research. And I don't want to be playing the game that's doing the thing that's being researched if it's bad for kids. I wouldn't want kids to play that game. Especially when it's gambling adjacent, and lootboxes were already gambling adjacent and proven to create problem gamblers.

And for dailies I don't like the FOMO aspect and playoffs are an affront to leaderboards IMO. Leaderboards used to just be about bragging rights and then being able to use your skills to get to the top and perhaps win a prize is okay but being able to buy the top spot on a leaderboard is something I can't agree with. Maybe they're semi accessible to f2p sorta if you magically have the right planning whoopdie doo someone else is also buying the top spot.

Yup I did mention the infinite ECRs that don't guarantee results, and you're also right that there are some ECRs that are only based on money. I concede those points. 

And I will reiterate that I'm not saying these activities can't be characterized as gambling.. just that it might not be so black and white.

>> "if you magically have the right planning whoopdie doo" 

Magic and right planning are a contradiction in terms, and (apart from the gambling point) it's possible you are dissing something you haven't understood or tried. Planning isn't necessarily complicated.. for example, "save crates, win playoff event". Simple. Heck in this example, dare I say it, it even promotes money management and the value of saving :-).

The game is full of people abusing the programmed to be abused system. Well done to the games coders for making this game a complete mess. Why program the game to be abused in so many ways? Every dang match has at the very least 1 person abusing matchmaking, Every dang match! Why would you coders program the game to be abused so much? It's almost like yous get off on creating cheaters and abusers... is the games abusiveness a reflection of the people coding it? Sure seems that way over the past 3 years. Change the games name to Mech Abusers!

Yeah you just need your plan to line up well with what everyone else is doing