Ok sooo.... let's try and nutshell it in a tl:dr ;-P
First off, I got nothing against F2P players. That out of the way, some of them seem to need a reality adjustment.
Ryzom is NOT a big-time commercial MMO funded by some huge company like EA or WB. Meaning that if the losses outweigh the profits, game's dead, no hope of a cash injection to keep it alive until marketing can come up with something genius then make the devs work on it (then again, huge companies would have shut this down YEARS ago for simply not making enough profit... assuming Ryzom's made a profit recently at all).
Wiping EVERYONE was a bad move, can't antagonize the ones who've kept the game's +FINANCIAL LOSSES+ at a tolerable minimum.
Now while F2P do add numbers and flavor to the game, those who "hate" them do have a point... numbers are numbers, you do represent a potential financial drain to the game. I doubt that referring it to friends goes "Hey playing this cool game... can play months for free before hitting the trial cap, but why don't YOU subscribe to support it".... more like "come play free with me".
Yes, some of them might eventually pay, but you can't tell the bandwidth provider "we might eventually pay" because their reply will be "we might eventually reconnect you, then".
That said, devs should REALLY consider a "pay one month's fee to keep your levels without locking out your account", but that's assuming that they have the resources (cash and hours) to do so. If they don't, then there's such a thing as bigger fish to fry.
WG hasn't taken other more nefarious measures like "lower the f2p limit to 75" in which case F2P who've "worked for MONTHS" would still be rather screwed as they'd be stuck with skills at 95. WG hasn't taken nefarious measures like AN ITEM STORE. WG hasn't taken more nefarious measures like AN ITEM STORE WITH PAY 2 WIN. Oh, and we get to not pay $40 for the client and $40 once a year for a new area.
So for those who feel like they're being treated unfairly, bear in mind that WG might already be doing too much to accomodate free players from a financial standpoint. As someone stated some posts back, "you can afford a computer and you can afford internet so you should be able to afford $15". Still in school? I'm sure you can help your parents around the house for that $15 a month. Unemployed? Might wanna start playing less and looking for a job. None of the above? I can vouch for it... working freelance as tourism guide, currently in LOW season. Those $15 to resub HURT my pocket right? Yeah sorta... no beer for me the next couple of weekends.
While wiping eeeeveryone is a great ideal, it's also financial suicide. My recommendation: stop attacking the devs, try to gather around a REASONABLE "keep my skills and stay f2p" option, and don't expect it to cost $0.50 and a hug. I have seen NO ONE offering an alternative source of revenue to prevent the level resets. If you got a rich uncle now's the time to talk him into investing (or borrow $15 a month off him at least ffs).
This is a great game and I'd hate to see it die, hence my beerless weekends. Those re-subscribing or accepting their level reset with dignity can see that too. At least there'll be people around with their subscription-kept levels to help you gear up and build your fame back up. Do we feel sorry for people getting levels wiped? Yes. Do we want F2P gone from the game? Nah. However... are we willing to risk Ryzom shutting down so that computer owners who can afford internet can keep getting a free ride for Ryzom's last 6 months? HELL NO.
Ragequit if you must over your level reset, go find another "free" game, find out how much of a money sponge it truly is, then come back and level to 125 while you figure out wether to pay or not. Trust me I've tested out dozens of MMOs. This game had me subscribing before I left Silan for the simple reason that IT DESERVES MY SUPPORT.
First off, I got nothing against F2P players. That out of the way, some of them seem to need a reality adjustment.
Ryzom is NOT a big-time commercial MMO funded by some huge company like EA or WB. Meaning that if the losses outweigh the profits, game's dead, no hope of a cash injection to keep it alive until marketing can come up with something genius then make the devs work on it (then again, huge companies would have shut this down YEARS ago for simply not making enough profit... assuming Ryzom's made a profit recently at all).
Wiping EVERYONE was a bad move, can't antagonize the ones who've kept the game's +FINANCIAL LOSSES+ at a tolerable minimum.
Now while F2P do add numbers and flavor to the game, those who "hate" them do have a point... numbers are numbers, you do represent a potential financial drain to the game. I doubt that referring it to friends goes "Hey playing this cool game... can play months for free before hitting the trial cap, but why don't YOU subscribe to support it".... more like "come play free with me".
Yes, some of them might eventually pay, but you can't tell the bandwidth provider "we might eventually pay" because their reply will be "we might eventually reconnect you, then".
That said, devs should REALLY consider a "pay one month's fee to keep your levels without locking out your account", but that's assuming that they have the resources (cash and hours) to do so. If they don't, then there's such a thing as bigger fish to fry.
WG hasn't taken other more nefarious measures like "lower the f2p limit to 75" in which case F2P who've "worked for MONTHS" would still be rather screwed as they'd be stuck with skills at 95. WG hasn't taken nefarious measures like AN ITEM STORE. WG hasn't taken more nefarious measures like AN ITEM STORE WITH PAY 2 WIN. Oh, and we get to not pay $40 for the client and $40 once a year for a new area.
So for those who feel like they're being treated unfairly, bear in mind that WG might already be doing too much to accomodate free players from a financial standpoint. As someone stated some posts back, "you can afford a computer and you can afford internet so you should be able to afford $15". Still in school? I'm sure you can help your parents around the house for that $15 a month. Unemployed? Might wanna start playing less and looking for a job. None of the above? I can vouch for it... working freelance as tourism guide, currently in LOW season. Those $15 to resub HURT my pocket right? Yeah sorta... no beer for me the next couple of weekends.
While wiping eeeeveryone is a great ideal, it's also financial suicide. My recommendation: stop attacking the devs, try to gather around a REASONABLE "keep my skills and stay f2p" option, and don't expect it to cost $0.50 and a hug. I have seen NO ONE offering an alternative source of revenue to prevent the level resets. If you got a rich uncle now's the time to talk him into investing (or borrow $15 a month off him at least ffs).
This is a great game and I'd hate to see it die, hence my beerless weekends. Those re-subscribing or accepting their level reset with dignity can see that too. At least there'll be people around with their subscription-kept levels to help you gear up and build your fame back up. Do we feel sorry for people getting levels wiped? Yes. Do we want F2P gone from the game? Nah. However... are we willing to risk Ryzom shutting down so that computer owners who can afford internet can keep getting a free ride for Ryzom's last 6 months? HELL NO.
Ragequit if you must over your level reset, go find another "free" game, find out how much of a money sponge it truly is, then come back and level to 125 while you figure out wether to pay or not. Trust me I've tested out dozens of MMOs. This game had me subscribing before I left Silan for the simple reason that IT DESERVES MY SUPPORT.