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ReplyThere was a discussion on the Discord where many players were talking about how to encourage new players of joining the game. It was a in depth conversation and many people inputted their ideas and suggestions. The discussion was so intense that I thought that the GMs was actually considering this, but later found out this was just player discussion. However, I was so moved by the idea of how to improve our player base, I wanted to post the discussion here and give my ideas on the matter as well.
The discussion on the matter can be found here: https://discordapp.com/channels/226045346399256576/387270949499830273/740195450166182008
After reading the whole discussion, I came up with something I wanted to add as a suggestion and I hope my idea gets looked at because I think it might would improve the amount of new players we get and also new players subscribing.
After reading the discussion on the matter on the link I posted above. I replied with this and would like you to consider something to this effect if this is possible.
My reply is as follows:
On a selfish level, I kind of would enjoy having all skills and a level cap only because I could have a pocket wizard and ranger to spell me up without having to buy a casting pass all the time, just bump that level cap to 18 for mobiles, lol. However, there was a time where I couldn't afford the normal subscription for this game and I was pretty happy there was a free to play version. I actually would play the free to play version normally if the loot was better, that's the first thing that made me subscribe when I came back.
As far as free to play goes, I kind like the idea of the passes because some people may want to just do a specific thing with their alts for a cheaper price. For example me personally, I feel like I get a lot from the game at a more affordable price by purchasing a Society Pass. $2.50 and you get access to more fighting ability, which the Free To Play version IS good about allowing you to fight well, it doesn't hinder that.
About promoting people to subscribe and getting new players in, I kind of helped a new player subscribe a little bit by giving him a Society Pass so he could enjoy a little more of the game. Basically I bought him something I was normally buying for myself. Giving the new players more of a taste does sound like a good idea to help them want to subscribe, but I understand that people can't afford $15 a month because I've been there several times.
As I just finished writing that, I just had an idea. Maybe an in between point would be, give them a FULL taste up until level 5 and then just have F2P act like it normally does beyond that. One of the things I personally get discouraged about is I have to use sparingly my starter money. I think if you give them a full taste in the super low levels. Let them cast some Thurfel's Ward and get their first Mithril and Ora that would help because if you don't like a game in it's first few levels, you're not going to like the game, because I remember when the game first was on AOL, I enjoyed the game from the get go, so if you hinder that experience from the get-go, people are going to be like. I can't do nothing on this game, why should I play this.
I am on board with anything to promote more folks joining our little world here. But, I will say that I have avoided games in the past because they did the full access for a time and then you lose it model.
Rather than that method, I would suggest instead some sort of starter amount of phantom simucoins that can only be spent on the removing F2P cost items (and they are character attuned). Giving them a resource to spend on whatever unlock seems interesting to them feels more like a gift and not a lure.
I would also say less restrictions in general and a greater proportion of restrictions that can be removed with a one time cost. The bank limits are a good example. It would feel like (and be) much better value If they added in things that permanently, raised the level at which the exp penalty started, added a second bank account, raised the max inventory, unlocked a society. I am not sure what the balance point is between F2P feeling like an actual game experience and still getting people to want to subscribe, but for now it seems much more like a trial account with an expiration date than it does a free game experience.
What has gotten me to pay in F2P games in the past was playing a complete (if less robust/ more bare bones) game for free, loving it, and wanting the bigger/wider/better game available.
Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
And the stream that falls from the hill to plain.
Better than rain or rippling brook,
Is a mug of beer inside this Took.
Rather than that method, I would suggest instead some sort of starter amount of phantom simucoins that can only be spent on the removing F2P cost items (and they are character attuned). Giving them a resource to spend on whatever unlock seems interesting to them feels more like a gift and not a lure.
I would also say less restrictions in general and a greater proportion of restrictions that can be removed with a one time cost. The bank limits are a good example. It would feel like (and be) much better value If they added in things that permanently, raised the level at which the exp penalty started, added a second bank account, raised the max inventory, unlocked a society. I am not sure what the balance point is between F2P feeling like an actual game experience and still getting people to want to subscribe, but for now it seems much more like a trial account with an expiration date than it does a free game experience.
What has gotten me to pay in F2P games in the past was playing a complete (if less robust/ more bare bones) game for free, loving it, and wanting the bigger/wider/better game available.
Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
And the stream that falls from the hill to plain.
Better than rain or rippling brook,
Is a mug of beer inside this Took.
