Character Slot Fee even for your first (only) character?

[ChiefCurrahee]

I think the point is:

You wouldn't subscribe unless you had at least one character, ergo, why not simple state the subscription cost in a plain, straightforward, unambiguous way, for example

"The subscription fee is $9.99 per month. If you want more than one character, there is a $3.00 fee for each additional character."

That is a lot more unambiguous.

Plenty of people will reply that "the way they have communicated it is completely clear" but then, if that were true, we wouldn't have seen a number of different threads on this subject, now would we?

If you think about it, it gives the player better options.

Your line of thought: "why not charge 12.99 flat out? Because in order to play you need a character"

this is why:
If you ever created more than 1 character you would always pay 12.99 +3.00 a month.

Under the pricing of 9.99 for a sub fee +3.00 for a character fee you are allowed to choose what character you want to main w/o having to pay for the one you aren't currently playing.

You are given the option to choose what character slots you want active instead of always having one autoactive tied to the sub fee.

so i can have this:
Characters:

Hank (not active)
Betty (not active)
Sam (active) +3.00
James (not active)
Jill (active) +3.00
Linda (not active)
Casey (not active)

Sub fee: 9.99

total cost month: 15.99

instead of
Hank (ALWAYS active because tied to subfee)
Betty (not active)
Sam (active) +3.00
James (not active)
Jill (active) +3.00
Linda (not active)
Casey (not active)

Sub fee: 12.99

total: 18.99