This is definitely a "pay to play game" If you want to advance or compete with others to win, you will have to spend real money to advance or get ahead. I have played this game for a couple years now, getting more disappointed with voting system, and not following room rules. Another thing that bothers me is the rooms have become redundant. They are the same places or rooms that I have been decorating over and over again with a twist to makes it more difficult for those of us that don't spend $