One thing that the staff at Simu might consider is the marketing of the subscription accounts vs. the Free 2 play (F2P) accounts. I'll explain:

Some years ago, I went to a Valero gas station in Southern California. Although it was night time, I could easily see ONE of their signs advertising the price per gallon for fuel. When I put my visa card into the gas pump's card reader, the price immediately changed and went up by 11 cents. As you can imagine, I was annoyed and summoned the attendant immediately. He explained that was just their Franchise's policy. I explained to him that he should make changes immediately, that I had done research on Visa and MasterCard contracts at my accounting firm. By contract, gas stations are required to offer their signs showing at the credit card rate, and offer a "discount for cash" to make the customers feel welcome and not leave them feeling deceived by the pricing. I cancelled my transaction and went to the Shell station up the street.

I don't know if there are marketing specialists among the programming staff - but they might consider presenting the F2P accounts in the forums (and on the Wiki) as the "default" accounts. Instead of discussing how everything Free 2 play is being "punished" - try making the F2P accounts the default account. After all, doesn't everyone actually start out with an F2P account? You would be surprised at how that type of subtle shift encourages newcomers to shift over to a subscription account. Very simple changes can have a strong influence. For example - the biggest complaint I heard is that Bard F2P accounts are completely unable to loresing? Not the best idea. Instead, Simu should develop a very limited loresong - something along the lines of elemental detection or.. being able to tell the approximate number of charges left on an item. Then they can "upgrade" to full Lore Singing. Never punish people.. reward them.

If you are interested in other ideas, I've given financial presentations at Blizzard in Irvine, California. Let me know if I can be of help.

Good idea, but doesn't quite apply here. I think the primary use for F2P is to draw former players to play again and then try to get them to sub up. I'm certain there is some conversion rate that Simu wants to hit. The problem with F2P in Gemstone is the management doesn't want it to be primary way for someone to play the game in the long term, it's really a trial account which in theory can be turned into a gimped premium account(almost the same price with none of the benefits).

Personally, I would like to see a F2P 'sub' package in the Simucoin store, a collection of unlocks that simulates up to 90% of a basic sub and for the basic sub price (15$). Currently it costs anywhere from 28~35 dollars for an F2P to get basic-like (not full) access using the Simucoin store. Noone in their right mind will pay this.

Then WHY do this? Why have this monstrously idiotic "F2P". If they just had their original 30 day free trial I would be subbed and playing "normally". Now I'm in limbo, I can't fully commit because "f2p" exists nor is the "f2p" remotely feasible for any stable amount of time due to it's insane pricing.

So, I just half-play, doing a holding pattern until they do one of those rare Simucoin sales (so I can sub an account to Premium and get +50% extra Simucoins and de-sub after I buy whatever the lifetime needs of my f2p accounts are).

Basically, if Simu wanted a business strategy to not get money from a customer, they somehow discovered the perfect solution.

Or not, for the very fact the F2P exists.I really don't understand the purpose of this "F2P" other than make you hesitate subbing up.

As an aside, I would definitely sub+pay a premium if this special sub can allow for your account to be downgraded to a F2P and not be locked.

[F2P] You can use this bicycle for as long as you want, for free. But you'll have to work hard to do some things. (Like, "advance as fast as the other players.")

[SimuCoins] You can buy attachments to your bicycle that will give you more capabilities like "a gearing ratio", or "a parking space", but when all is said and done they are only temporary and you will be left with a plain bicycle.
On the bright side, you can buy these attachments only when they appeal to you and only to the degree that you need.

[Standard] For a continuing monthly fee, you can rent this Vespa, with guaranteed parking [locker].

[Premium] For a higher monthly fee, we'll rent you fifteen Harley hogs EACH with parking [multiple characters, multiple lockers each].

[Platinum] For an even higher monthly fee, we'll rent you a Winnebago luxury camper to tow your motorcycle.

[Shattered] And for a modest side-fee, we'll give you access to the Rack'em Smash'em Bike Week.

>But this perk is most definitely NOT worth DOUBLE the price tag of a basic sub.

I agree it could be a little lower with SimuCoins, but it's possible the company would prefer to sell the basic subscription. Internally, they may have reasons for this that aren't evident to the customer.

No opinions or thoughts on the F2P model, but I really like Krakii's comparative descriptions here. :D

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Wyrom gestures at you, causing you to explode.