Lol, EP booster idea indicates that game have problems with starter extensions. Maybe, it is worth to fix extensions instead of implement ep boosters?

probably the best idea here .. just a temporary boost for few weeks get new players rolling nicely

Yes this is what that other game did. New accounts/characters have a gain boost for a limit time. I think this one would/could work if they decide to do any type of EP gain for new player.

Corps already have incentives to recruit.

Well, this is an interesting discussion and with alot of ideas, but everyone should keep in mind that -as far as I see- here is no perfect solution which everyone can completely agree with.

I completely understand that any veteran wants to keep stay ahead of the crowd EP wise and they should (I would want that aswell).

Now as a new player I also of course wish to eventually be able to a veteran myself, which is theoretically impossible if the ep system stays the way it is. The reason I can live with this situation is simple: unlike EvE this game is alot younger and thus vets arent as far ahead.

But this problem will get worse and worse as the time is passing by. And the older this game becomes, the more and more new players will feel intimated by the feeling that they can never catch up. Also you have to keep in mind as the game is progressing there will be more and more extensions and most likely even bigger robots and bigger guns and the gap will be even more drastic.

Now solutions for this issue, well suggestions:

Idea 1: You could try to somehow progressivly increase the start EP for new accounts over time, but of course not at the same rate an active account would gain EP. Infact you could also add that system to unsubbed accounts. Something as like 0.25 ep per minute? You would need to balance the numbers more of course. But this is also more treating the symptoms than the actual problem since over time (even though alot slower) the same problem would persist.

Idea 2: Another idea would of course be to make some kind of hybrid EP model. Keep the current as it is and add another option to gain additional EP. Basically reward EP for an activity. Be it Assignments rewards, EP gain item drops, or even EP gain directly related to actions like killing or mining. Now here aswell you need to keep an eye on the balance. You have to make the EP gain through such activities *very small* Infact microscopic small. It has to be small enough to not make older players angry and quit, yet to be a tiny tiny glimpse of hope to new players to eventually in the far future catch up.

Lets say per assignment  and difficulty you get 1 to 10 EPs. These numbers are so low, which means there is a chance people can catch to a vet by actively be online and playing, but it would take pretty much forever - and I assume vets would also do the assigments so they would stay ahead still. And even if they dont want to do assigments, they will stay ahead for a very very very long time and only if they never do any and everyone else does.

This way you give all new players a feeling or better put the "illusion" of being able to catch up - but thats exactly whats matters.

Apexx

1. Yeah.
2. Dont even think about it.

1. ICE

I'm the oldschool masochistic player that actually enjoys a grind and firmly believes that subscription and online time should be the only currency in game (even though I have practically none of the latter myself). I don't like PLEX in EvE and I will not like ICE in Perpetuum.

However, I am well aware that the above is a royally screwed up, to say the least, and outdated business model. ICE is good for the game and I will not ragequit over it.

2. EP Catchup

On this I am strongly against. Your proposal is not well thought out - Blackomen has already painted a potentially bleak future. I do understand that it stems from a very real concern and I admit, I don't mind the one-time restricted (example 2 weeks double EP on subscribing after trial) EP boost.

Yes good call. +1

Comments so far seem pretty unanimous.

1:  This one is usefull. Keeps players ingame, gives people something to work for

2: No, Just no.  As already stated.  No new player should be able to jump in a mech straight away without knowing the very basics of the game mechanics. With the ICE implemented, they can spend their time grinding for nics to be able to pay for ICE, while they learn the game mechanics.

@Rex Amelius: +2 (wow, sometimes its strange how the same ideas are formed in the minds of a game community...)

I'm also for a EP-boost for the starting period (trial excluded) and would have set the same time limit as with downgrade tokens or maximum of 45 days.
If you just simply would get the EP instantly, the downgrade tokens won't ever be enough to correct your mistakes (too much points in advance disturbs learning curves and later on those players won't be able to withstand the normal waiting time to accumulate your EP), and vets who have paid for each day of their gametime will feel cheated if the price is lower than what they already paid.

With the current kickstarter edition we already have some problems, the sparks and the ep-bonus are nice even for vets, but those that have already a years sub (or above it) normally wouldn't want to spend extra-money here for a package where they just don't need the main thing: gametime ... Even worse with that edition only available over Amazon US (bad amazon bad! into the corner with you!)... So back to Rex words:

1. YES - no doubt - this model works well in eve.

2. No Way - the noob - vet divide is more apparent with the low population - when noobs have more peers to engage with the vet divide will not be noticeable. The sandbox template calls for something to strive for, and gaining ep over time and using it wisely is all part and parcel of the game.

1. Yes, but only with Pve expansion
2. gimme back my money if so