I really don't get this argument and here is the reasoning.

1. I played hundreds of hours of Halo without progression, and enjoyed the hell out of it.

2. If you aren't having fun without unlocks, you probably won't have fun with them.

3. If you are dying a lot and think a new gun will change your KD from .05 to 5, you probably won't be happy about spending money on weapons when they won't.

4. I haven't spent a dime on this game yet am having a blast, I will most likely only buy weapons to ensure the devs are fed.

5. For those that don't know, spending money on microtransactions in a F2P game is a risk, if a gun DOES change your KD around, it will probably get nerfed. Don't bother saying "i want my money back."

6. This game is FREE, and pretty awesome from the start.

Additionally, regarding the length of time to get to level 100:

This isn't an RPG, a level 1 can kill a level 100. To me it is basically prestige, not power, so I have no issues accepting that level 100 is going to be for the incredibly dedicated/immortal. (This is based on all of the 90 year 8 hrs per day 5/7 days of the week rumors i've read. Anyone have a link?)