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F2P are not profit by themselves. But they might eventually go for a subscription later. Most of nowadays new subscribers would not have started playing if it was a subscription from start (or even worse pay 40€ for first month like it was in the beginning).

F2P also make other new F2P or subbed players stay because the would is more alive and has more low-level players to play with. WG is not Blizzard that can ask people who have never played their game to spend any money just to try it (actually D3 has a free, capped and area limited trial too... but it's over after an hour per toon).

+1 Freddy Exactly what I was trying to say. I have nothing against f2p and like everyone who plays this game. If there was a mod to the current business model that would allow people to pay to keep their levels I would fully support it since they would be supporting this game.

Actually, I don't see the problem, if F2P players like the game so much they can pay to continue playing with retention of levels and all, if not, then it is the choice of the F2P player and they have to make do with one of the packs and loose their levels.

If a F2P player converts to P2P now they actually got a lot of playtime for free over the last 1,5 years or so, which makes up for their contribution to Ryzom in the form of giving the P2P community more people to play with or helping newbies.

Again, it is the F2P player their choice, if they find it not worthy to sub, they don't have too ...

the perpetual marketing advice I was mentioning did not have to do with myself, as I was the one pointing it out... that had to do with what seemed to be occurring. may have been necessary previously (several years ago), but I do not think it is the same now

at this point I would be willing to support a one-time payment option for ALL players to retain not only levels but certain irreplaceable/very hard to obtain items as well--to include those obtained in a group/guild effort, at the same time a subscription gift option could be added.

from a support standpoint, since they are potential paid players, shouldn't we treat the f2p better, not worse?

the issue of stratification is not necessarily simply an in-game concern, and I for one will not be supporting it.

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.

To the last few posters, please post in here if you will, there are a few other posts i've been told but if we can get more into one post maybe the idea will be heard a bit more loudly, thank you

http://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/?page=topic/view/14180/1

Point taken; however, many of you are missing the point of this thread.

It is not about a payment method, as many have tried to make it.

This is simply about recognition of effort.

Also, the entire point of all of this (1.0, 2.0, etc) is to ensure that Le Saga du Ryzom continues.

To this effect, there have been very viable options put forth.

At this point, I would be in favor of a "one-time payment" option, that would not lock anyone into anything, in order to keep a character as they were before the announcement.

This serves all players.

I know ppl have given away things since then, possibly even deleted characters, and many have probably come to terms with losing all of their items, but I'm quite certain the data previous to the first announcement is still in tact. WG probably expected an adverse reaction, and any DEV worth their salt, would have taken the time to make backups of all data.

I am quite certain that the disrespect exhibited here and elsewhere, will be very unwelcomed on the new server.