It really isn't though. For one you don't "have" to buy anything except a starter package for $45, everything else is optional if you want to support development. There also isn't really a "win condition," there's PvP, but it's not like ranked matches or whatever.

Also those people buying the largest most expensive ships are going to be in for a rude awakening. You will have costs for managing ships that currently isn't in the game, but when it is I imagine the big spenders will bankrupt themselves (in game currency). There's also the fact that ships larger than a one seater will need crew so you can't really do much with them on your own.

The prices of ships can be absurd, but I think the people that buy them are just shooting themselves in the foot. I've been a backer since 2014 and aside from the starter ship I only bought one "extra" cheap shuttle because I love having access to it through any wipe even though I could earn it in game fairly quickly.

"Last time I checked"

Damn, as of years ago you've been able to buy new ships with in-game currency. You're not even keeping up on the game you're bitching about. Sure you can always buy better ships with real money, you can have whatever reservations you want about that, but calling it pay to win seems like a stretch. Elite Dangerous has long proved space battles are often a skill issue.