A simpler example is Battlefield 1942 vs Battlefield 5, 1, or any of the recent entries: the first had zero unlocks; everything was available, and it was a game

A simpler example is Battlefield 1942 vs Battlefield 5, 1, or any of the recent entries: the first had zero unlocks; everything was available, and it was a game for the fun of it. In the newer entries, the unlocks and other bars you fill provide a sense of achievement and progress, and maybe that just gives players with fun objectives to do while playing but the cynic in me sees people gloating about 1000 kills with the Kolibri and thinks it's more about preying on addictive tendencies.