I think that people who have defended the subscription here ...since they are subscribers ...are just defending what they have already purchased. Instead of considering what I'm suggesting.
Don't get me wrong (and if you read my OP) i'm Not against the SUBSCRIPTION Option . But there is no reason for a casual player of this game to purchase these overpriced unlocks.
But Why should I subscribe if i'm going to be a casual player of AoC. Instead of subscribing to nearly 7yr old game, I could put that money into buying DLC/Expansions to the (see below) B2P games, or to subscribe to them to get the bonuses.
Some of the top rated games are B2P, and are successful. (see => http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/s...nk/sOrder/desc)
TSW (Buy: $30, DLC ~$10, subscription optional) - if you subscribe you get bonuses of $10 bonus points each month, xp booster, monthly bonus item, 10% discount on store. Purchases of DLC to access new content.
GW2 (Buy: ~$60, NO subscription) - No content is lock off, recently announced expansion
ESO (Buy: $60, starting March 17th subscription optional) - if you subscribe you get 1500 points each mth, xp boost, and free access to upcoming DLC. Future DLC will be purchasable with points.
* all have in-game stores that for the most part have cosmetic items.
B2P - is good because you pay for what you are getting, the game and DLC are clearly described to you and its features. Also takes less pressure off of the online store.
Subscription Only - You are paying money to a company on the hopes they will provide good content in the future, often times you are just paying them to keep the game going and to FIX the game, with hit and miss content updates
F2P - just becomes a giant cash shop, with P2W items
B2P with Sub optional - positively motivates people to subscribe by giving additional Benifits to having the subscription
F2P with Sub optional - negatively motivates people to subscribe by locking off Features / Content of the game
Age of Conan
is a cross between Subscription and F2P - Sure the subscription discounts are great (upto 45% off) but you need to commit ~$100 up front, with the hopes they provide good content in the future (historically from my point of view that has been hit and miss, aka shires of boring). AoC is a major cash shop mentality with some P2W items. The negatively motivate players to subscribe by limiting features and access to end game content, with EXTREMELY over priced unlocks. All this does is punish a player for Not subscribing, giving very little wiggle room between a glorified game trial and a fully committed subscriber to the game.
If AoC had a B2P option (of some sort) it would positively motivate players to become subscribers (allowing for a causal gamer option), giving Funcom some revenue from the purchase of a one-time unlock, taking pressure off of the online store. They could continue to make money from DLC allowing the company to focus their marketing to bring in new customers.