The question is whether the bubble will burst. It depends on whether the NBA 2K userbase at large is OK with microtransactions, or engaging in them through gritted teeth to try to get the most out of the game. Whereas EA tipped their hand with the loot boxes and microtransactions in Battlefront II, the nature of VC gouging in NBA 2K18 was kept quiet before release. We're now going to be expecting it in NBA 2K19.
Spot on. "Dying" feels melodramatic because the game continues to succeed in terms of sales and recurrent revenue, but in terms of its identity and goodwill, it's kind of apt.