Originally Posted by
Lavieh
F2P games often include certain niche things that will cause the player to spend more, in some cases more then what they would in a P2P. I don't think quality is necessarily the problem with F2P its the inequality that is. Those willing to spend more will gain more and those willing to spend nothing will fall behind, looked down, or simply be tempted at every turn. Before anyone brings up GW2 I'd like to mention that there are a lot of items in the cash shop that ease to the game and its leveling system making them, easily, game changing items. In a P2P environment everyone pays the same and plays the same game, there are no micro transactions or any other means of advantage game play. P2P is fair and makes the game ultimately fair while F2P strives on those micro transactions and making them as desirable as possible in order to upkeep there servers.
If anything F2P is a poison pool of greed and envy that is proving to be extremely profitable and successful just because of their play on human emotions and manipulation. Anyone who says otherwise just thinks about the money in their wallet as opposed to the actual impact on game play.
I think SE will hold themselves at a higher standard then most games and continue to charge a Sub fee.
Also I'd like to note that while I did bring up GW2's microtransactions I would like to mention that at this time /They aren't that bad/ though I think when server stability and population flux comes into play we may see some shifting in the dynamics of their market place.