I’m with you 
% on this one. I never read the episode made stories either anymore. Back in the old days, I’m sorry to say I read some of them.
I’ve tried one once or twice, when a stories description has really caught my eye, but never gotten passed the first chapter because of getting pissed at the first gem-choice.
The way they use gems are ridiculous . I mean paying gems for choices that’s obvious, or to pay 20 gems for a hairstyle just because it’s cooler or for an outfit that I’ll only use once for one scene, that’s absurd.
If they only used them for things that has a meaning but doesn’t effect the storyline to much - like hidden scenes or bonus content - or at least didn’t rob you blind every time, I could go with it. But the way it is today - not a chance I’m supporting any original episode made story.
For the content, all I can say is that the oroginal stories always has seemed to go by a different set of rules than the community ones.
Mostly I would like for Episode to stop hugging all the really good stuff - animations, clothes, backgrounds. overlays etc - for gem choices, that could be used to make the community stories even better. It just makes me so sad to even think about. 