Look, if every player who logs in can have an outpost on Gamma what makes it special? Technically every player currently can, but you need to defend it. And that's fine. So what if defending = corp and teamwork and a bit of intelligence and a physical presence in game. Aren't these good properties to have in a MMO? The game is based on time, more time you are subbed more skillpoints you have. While it be real sweet for low EP players to do everything in game there needs to be content for ALL level of EP players .... Stay in the game long enough, or join a corp and share in their experience, and you play all aspects. Don't expect it or demand the game be dumbed down so you can have it out of the box.

As far as multi boxing ... It's really quite simple ... People who can afford a computer(s) and the sub costs and like the game enough will multi box. And good for them. Seriously Syndic I may have trolled you in the past here but you suggesting no multi boxing after running 8 accounts, simply because you're not doing it now, is bullshit. It doesn't ruin the game. I currently have 3 accounts but can only really effectively play one at a time since the gamma expansion because its all my current computer can handle. Can I mine while I'm in combat? Nope. Artifact while mining? Nope. But that's life. I pay for my accounts, and as long as they are subbed they collect EP ... It's a sandbox, and that also applies to how you play it.

By your own admission you're not really in game, you're doing whatever you choose. And you (and I) are free to post whatever you choose here. But quit trying to ruin a game you're no longer committed to ... I'd like nothing more to see you and 40 of your CIR bros come and assstomp us somewhere, anywhere in game ... But that means you gotta play the game.

If this game goes free to play, I am going to make 50 mining characters and I can run them on the systems that I have.

That is all.

Congratulations on finally getting my point. F2P is pointless and won't achieve anything without severe changes, if not a complete wipe & relaunch.

Because that's the whole point of this game.  Two types of players when it comes to corp relations:  Friends and targets,  and if its ever in question, shoot first ask questions later.

Aside from the obvious mechanics making this game a really bad choice to go F2P.  The F2P model tends to cost more money per average player than the subscription based model.

For those advocates labeling multi-account players pay to win, is just wrong. Multiple accounts involves much more work, thought and time than just simply buying your way to more advanced gear and bigger mechs.

Perpetuum in on the right track to improve and get more players in-game (See latest blog). My only issue is, it's just taking far too long. Addressing this issue by getting more developers involved retains my interest and I still remain hopeful for a larger player base community in the future without the need for a F2P model.

Y U NO FARM AND BUY ICE

As I pointed out in my posts on the subject ( http://forums.perpetuum-online.com/post/77397/#p77397 ) a F2P model would only work partly with making the game 1 PC = 1 client. Sure, people with 2-3 PC's would still multibox but there would be no cases of 50 mining F2P accounts being run simultaneously. It would inherently solve the passive P2W when newbies go up against a vet with 3-4 accounts.

F2P is "lucrative" when done correctly (giving most if not the entire content to free players), because then the game itself becomes the "hook" that draws people to spend an extra 2,99-3,99€ for the fluff-stuff, convenience stuff, insert-other-stuff... It adds up very quickly.

Personally however, I wouldn't expect AC to invest any significant effort or thought into it. I think most of the devs and a big majority of whats left of the playerbase understand what Steam represents for PO.

And it's also why the player base will nopt grow on Steam.  The flipside to the Steam coin is that the next MMO is in a box directly below this one... you log in, discover a community akin to a crochety old sewing circle that's not shy about stabbing you with their knitting needles because it's their right for being so old and young 'uns need to respect their elders and the Steam community moves on to a more level playing field.

Look at the massive decline in the Hawken population into open beta because they have a poor matchmaker: people want to have a chance, perhaps not an even chance but a chance at least.   Sandbox games thrive on ambition and big ideas; players need to walk in and think 'one day, this'll all be mine'.  If sandbox communities maintain their status quo they'll not survive the next generation of money spending gamers... and seeing as they are just plain dull with a small community they will fail.

You are completely missisng the point of this game.  Ok, so from your perspective, ill just let people who are not known enemies roll out to our gamma base and just stroll around looking at all of our defenses, figuring out strategies for breaking in, maybe safe logging a fleet there.  Do you not see the point that i'm trying to make?  Don't parade around and say that new players don't have a chance.  I was in STC from the beginning, we got the **** beat out of us for about 9 months, until our pilots started maxing out skills and getting into good bots.  But the bots and EP was not what made us be able to defend ourselves.  SKILL is what allows you to succeed.  You can stroll around in a T4+ fit mk2 heavy all you want, but if you don't understand how PVP works, and what strategies work, and HOW TO WIN A BATTLE then you will lose every single time.  You seem to fail to realize that neutrals now, can and usually will be enemies later, and no one in their right mind is gonna allow neutral players to walk about on there gamma island.  Gamma bases are Multiple billion NIC investments, not to mention the days of work that go into them.  No one is going to allow people they don't know to stroll about in there base, nor should they.  And if you think that corps should, you are insane.  you can come into this game and say, "All of this will be mine one day".  STC is proof of that.  we came in as noobs, got absolutly annihilated for almost a year, we lost multiple Beta OP's to much more powerful corps.  And now we are on top, we can compete with anyone in the game, and most other corps besides <12>  wont even engage us in mechs or heavies.  So your point is completely invalid.

The main problem that your describing here is basically on the player end.  More so the type of player. 

That type of player is honestly a leader, a leader who is willing to setup put things on the table and get the *** kicked out of him and keep going no matter what.  As for players backing him up, that will come. 

I don't know how many times in other games and in this, that the people who I shoot today are my friends later, and my friends today are trying to get me banned after.  That's just the flow of the game. 

I go back to the phrase "If you build it, they will come." and they will, build a great game, full of persistence and a open world feel, one of endless opportunity's. 

Build a great game first and the players will follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSxSyv4LC1c

There.

Marketing is what makes people come. A good game is what it makes them stay. They are not coming, and they haven't stayed.