TF2 was pay to play up until about a couple years ago. You did have the option to pay for stuff. Not just hats though, you could buy weapons if I recall too.
On the other hand, with some games, you could put in X number of hours and get said item for free via earning it, or you could pay a company a couple dollars and get said item right now. The choice is yours. No one is forcing you to do anything.
As for the game publishers in business to make money, you have a choice not to buy their stuff. If you don't like the fact that EA or any company does microtransactions, don't buy their games. Plain and simple. Gamers these days seem to think that signing petitions and complaining to the FTC is the way to do it though. Yet $5 says they'll still buy the game.
On the other hand, with some games, you could put in X number of hours and get said item for free via earning it, or you could pay a company a couple dollars and get said item right now. The choice is yours. No one is forcing you to do anything.
As for the game publishers in business to make money, you have a choice not to buy their stuff. If you don't like the fact that EA or any company does microtransactions, don't buy their games. Plain and simple. Gamers these days seem to think that signing petitions and complaining to the FTC is the way to do it though. Yet $5 says they'll still buy the game.