Quote Originally Posted by Ikeda View Post
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1. I see no claims of such (TERA loosing mass subs because a cash shop was added). I do however see statements from En Masse saying they considered going F2P before TERA's launch, but decided not to because the game had not been designed for such. The cash shop was created with the explicit intention of going F2P and players left after realizing this.

2. You're right, I don't work for these companies and don't pretend to. I do understand how companies work though. I have asked questions about additional services, but bo far I seem to be running circles around the same question.

I'll also add to the statement of "something similar to how you could pay extra for mules in FFXI" by stating that for a very small amount more you can have access to extra character slots instead, but you can not send items directly to your other characters and need to use a proxy, making additional retainers more appealing. This may not effect most people, but for omni-crafters it's (extra inventory) something that is highly considered .

3. I want to say the majority hsn't witnessed first hand what the inclusion of cash shops do to a game's community, only heard claims of what happens without having all the information. In cases where it impacts the community negatively, P2W elements were added and the "unfair" advantages given to those that payed caused others that refused to fall behind and leave. In few very cases only aesthetic elements were added and a small portion of the community rage quit because of idealism (from direct observation I knew people that did this in WoW, but returned shortly despite their feelings).