Pay based, not skilled based. If you pay it will be fun. If you don't, you can save up all those little gem things you want, it rarely gives you a premium item, it did before. It seems to also target the non premium players during a race. Maybe its just because the premium players are just so leveled up. I still play but getting turned off of it, you build up your gems but kinda feels like its for nothing most of the time. Anyways devs its noticeable.