I feel like if Bungie wants to reassure us with respect to content subsidized by microtransactions, then they should show the emotes, like they're doing, but also give us a preview of the first content drop. Like what should we expect? They've been waaaay too vague about that. Kotaku through its sources provided more info than Bungie did.
I agree.
I see why the did it this way, though: "See! It's just emotes! Totally optional! AND it subsidizes other stuff!"
Then wait a few weeks to announce what the stuff it subsidizes is, in case there's a backlash.
It's smart because if the feedback is positive, nothing is lost. But if the feedback is negative, it mitigates the exposure amplification/feedback loop of angry forum shouting that can propagate into "articles" in the "media".
Hard to nail that down well enough to showcase it this early out, I think. They'll want to not just add content but also quality of life updates and bug fixes and until that stuff is mostly done and tested together they run the risk of being called liars if some feature or another doesn't make it in.
Also this.