Topic: Why not semi-F2P? Charge if they want to accumulate EP.
Why not a quasi-f2p model? Only allow EP gain for paid accounts, but allow non paid accounts to still play. So people can play forever for free but only accumulate EP
during the time in which they pay.
It will prevent loss of game figures, this way a person who is a big contributor to the game and plays a lot can pay for a year, but the game does not lose an important person because he suddenly can not pay.
It gives a huge incentive for paying, no EP gain at all without paying monthly. So a person is stuck with starter-level skills for as long as they don't play, but can still otherwise participate in the game.
It would bring a lot of people into the game, which this game sorly needs. Half the balance issues would be solved by simply having more people around.
Some issues I hashed out in general chat:
1) But they'll grief!!!! So what? People already do. What they aren't entitled to a little PVP just because they are froobs?
2) Lose the trial account restrictions!!!! These things drive many MANY players away. If you don't let a person have a bit of fun in the game during their trial, why the hell would they stay? Charging infinite-sell-order prices for the basics keeps players away.
3) Lose the 20k starter cash, give them everything they need to do the tutorial before they have to do it in the tutorial. If they want to grief in a light mech, they'll have to do the tutorial first. End of the tutorial can involve giving them the 20k you give them on creation now.
4) Bua..bua..gold farmers. So what? If this game makes it, they'll be here, if it dosen't, none of us will be here. Nothing you can do about them but ban 'em when you find em'.
5) People will pay for a year then stop! So what? You got a year's subscription out of them! GO YOU!
I come from DDO. DDO had a player-base of about this size and was, literally, 2 months from server shutdown when they went F2P. F2P _SAVED_ DDO no question. Full Stop. It could save this game too, and wouldn't even require as much work to just turn EP off for non payers.
I say this because there's just not enough people in the game for the game to function properly. I'd like to be able to find a group once in a while...