Quote Originally Posted by Meow_Zedong View Post
Facts:

1. They plan to charge after streamlining, simplifying, balancing, and over-all improving the existing class skill sets. They also plan to wait until a later date to introduce job classes, to allow new players to have something to look forward to.

Perhaps they should focus on current players and previous players, rather than new players. I don't expect to see a huge quantity of boxed sales on news that new jobs have been released and a payment system implemented.

2. They plan to introduce several chunks of new content in 1.20, including a new Primal battle, new quests, new company leves, and end-game Caravan Escorts. In addition to this, the battle class reforms are sure to make all previous content fresh and new.

The existing escort system is fail. The WoW like run in a circle quests that were implemented in the past are fail, so I would expect new ones to be relatively similar. A primal battle sounds like fun, but if its implemented in a similar way to ifrit, then its not much content at all.

3. They have already stated the game is not up to bar because the only thing it is missing is a player search function and an auction house. Both of which will be coming in 1.20

Right... v1.20 makes the game 100% great? That must be why they are making that version 2.0. This one really made me laugh out loud, really.

Personal Observations

1. I never have trouble finding a party for any purpose. Even if the dozens of people constantly chatting on my ls are all busy,
shouts in Uldah are near constant and I can put together a group with minimal effort. The player search function added in 1.20 will make this even easier.

Not all servers are made equally and your perception is different than my perception. If you consider putting a group together within a 2 hour time frame "minimal effort" then I guess you are right.

2. I realize that all gear eventually becomes obsolete, and Darkhold gear is rather old. I also realize that gear is a perk, and shouldn't be the sole reason for running a raid. I continue to run Darkhold on a regular basis because I find the stress involved with the time limit and dodging the eye to be enjoyable and with each try I get closer and closer to the 5-chest time bonus.

Dzemael Darkhold was released in patch 1.18. We are currently playing patch 1.19. Patch 1.19 was released on or around 07/21/2011 and patch 1.19 was released on or around 09/29/2011 making the average time difference around 70 days. To me, that is not a long time.

It also demonstrates that they are not clearly thinking about changes they are making to the existing game. As far as you finding Darkhold fun, that's great, but you are in the minority. Most people I know do not find Darkhold fun, and do not run it other than to help someone complete the quest.

3. Ifrit has quickly become the most challenging and strategic battle in the game, and learning the patterns as well as adapting to the animation lock is quite fun, almost like the boss of an old school platforming game. Lag and faulty loot systems are a known problem, and are being addressed as soon as possible. The loot system is being changed in 1.20.

I am sorry, I simply don't think a boss fight that relies heavily on lag in tandem with inherent game flaws is fun

4. There is a plethora of activities to do in the game and it is never boring. Grinding on jobs to achieve higher levels is not only fun, but it opens up opportunities for new quests and activities. This game also includes one of the most interesting and detailed crafting systems out there in the MMO world. I realize classes will never be erased because they are integral to solo play and are just as important as jobs in different situations.

Ok...

[edited - more of the same]

TL;DR: I can make my opinions look like fact too.
My original post was to appeal to them to keep the game free at its core for one reason and one reason alone:

If it goes pay to play, those who pay, will find themselves very alone.

Since this is a MMO, you need other people to play it with you.

If the population falls to a point that its not possible to play the game with other people (which is already starting on my server) then people who are willing to pay will start to question whether or not its warranted.

So in the end it is very possible that all SE accomplishes is upsetting its most white knight, devoted fanboygirls (a.k.a. You)