Orange Essence isn't "free"

I've been reading the debates on Orange Essence, and there is a pervasive part of the member base who believe that Orange Essence (and skin shards) are absolutely free and we should be thankful.

I want to raise that, for this event, and many more in both past and future, Riot has sold chests that contain skin shards.

There are actually people out there who spend money on skin shards, and these people ensure League remains free-to-play.

For these people, skin shards have reduced in value but not in price solely for the sake of the freeloaders. When I buy chests, the shards I now get are less valuable than the shards I'd get three months ago.

I still pay the same amount of RP for them.

The complaint with Orange Essence transcends the masses who pay nothing and enjoy this game for free. It's about the people who pay for chests see the value of the product decrease, even as the cost remains the same.

500 RP used to get you ~800 OE, now it gets you ~200. And rather than saying, "OK, you're rightly pissed", people say, "You should be thankful."