TF2 didn’t even have microtransactions until 2010, and it both pretty much invented them
Many years ago, when I still read printed video game magazines, there was a story about microtransactions in Korean or Chinese games. I clearly remember how baffled I was after learning of that super weird and stupid concept.
China has even higher barriers for foreign companies to enter their market than Chinese companies have in the EU, USA, etc.
The Chinese government protects Chinese corporations, the EU protects EU corporations. Not really “whinging”.