What is with everyone and all these assumptions....
You have no clue what F2P would entail for SE. So, stop projecting other F2P systems' problems onto an SE payment model. Like Moonchild mentioned, we've already seen what happens when the game is still in the "developmental stage" and subscriptions are initiated.
Imagine what will happen if the 2.0 doesn't meet consumers' expectations...Do you honestly believe that anyone in their right mind is going to waste the time of day on a game they think sucks? And, no less, on a game they have to pay for, even when they don't use it.
I played and quit XI off and on for 6 or so years. And, sadly, at least 4 of those years, I didn't even have a subscription. I couldn't justify paying $13/mth for a game I didn't even feel like logging onto. If it had been F2P, I would have probably logged on here and there.
And every now and then, just like w/ any other game, I'd get back in the mood to play it. And if SE could have found ways to capitalize on my "fleeting moments of desire" (with a F2P model and some incentives), they could have continued milking me for a pretty significant chunk of change.
