Read everything came back to opening comment.
I would say pay for play players dont know how to play the game utilizing all the tools the game gives them to play for free, so they pay to get some advantage. But maybe they dont care and want to spend their money and get something more. I dont think they can ever compare to a player that understands how to play the game.
Back when the Tholos and ships came out, event buildings were 0.25 or 0.33 FP per tile. An extra one would cost you in the area of 8000 diamonds. Now these event buildings cost double but you get double they are all 0.50 FP tile or more. Now the game went from 1.9 threads and talking with guildmates a lot to
settlements, antique dealer, GBG, more complex events, diverse daily challenges, there is more I know I am missing a few.....the game is much more interactive. good or bad, I say good for me but others may not like it.
I give folks very simple advice for the game, get fully leveled event buildings and maximize your FP/tile (pre GBG advice) bcs FPs are like a rolling investment, keep adding to GBs and then when they hit the right level (SC,HC L58, Arc L80 etc - examples) then work another GB and the game gets easier or maybe you get more opportunities to do more. Have a plan and stick to it. Now advice for GBg times is a bit different, attack % is very important if you play GBG, it gets a bit more complex. Get yourself L64 capable in GE, important too.
But, if you want to play casual by all means do so, it is your game, play how you like. If people want to pay for diamonds to make things easier, sure, sounds great. If people want to play for free because it is a challenge, super. I think the developers creating many new options is great and it is most likely needed to compete in the business world so I dont see it as a negative.