The facts of the online gaming industry:

No, non-paying users are not a burden. In fact, any multiplayer online ecosystem needs a robust, competitive players base to provide what is needed to support the very slim margin of "Whale" players, a fractional percentage of players in most games who make up the bulk of $ transactions. Nordeus' model diversifies income sources by sponsorship (eg Nivea Men's League) and partnership (eg PSG jersey/logo licensing), plus ad revenue. In part this helps them profit from a game targeting a young , highly international demographic, which both spend little real money in games (as compared to older hardcore MMO player, Americans, Germans, limited other Euro players).

In fact, it's possible someday the market will dictate that "free" players be compensated even more than we are, with more in game incentives or even real-world earnings possibilities.