Step back and look at the potential cost to EA/BW for them giving the free 30 days

This.

Over a decade of playing MMO's, and honestly, forums are all the same. Lots of hate, lots of gnashing of teeth, lots of wailing and whining, tons and tons of trolling. Has nothing to do with how good/bad a game is. There will always be a percentage of any MMO population that feels a need to try and scream loudest, and then scream louder when their 'suggestions' and 'fixes' aren't acted on. The folks whose vote really matter tend to do it quietly, and do it by changing where they spend their money. It really is that simple.

Personally, I think in the long run, EA/BW handing out the free 30 days is a calculated expenditure. They know folks that truly can't stand the game won't be swayed, their hope is that the folks who are on the fence will stick around because of the free 30 days and that they can prove that they can roll out content and fixes consistently like they said they would. If we get 1.3 before the majority of the on the fence folks would have to resub, and its good, how many do you think would sub for at least another month to give them a chance?

As a player on Dalborra (asia-pacific PVE), I cannot recall one instance of server pop being listed as anything but heavy during our peak time...

I hear both sides and I can say you either treat everyone the same or not at all. I have 5 level 40 toons. I enjoy slowly leveling and then having a choice of toons for end game. Also knowing that end game content is generally lacking until a game is a little more mature I chose this style of leveling. Now I am being insulted and punished by BioWare for my style of playing. I am canceling my account and moving on. There are lots of games to play out there I do not have to take this kind of insult.

You don't have Legacy Level 6 between 5 level 40's? I'm assuming they're spread across multiple servers?

Treat all of your customers the same or establish the rules so customers can choose to accept. Think of if your parents gave you Christmas gifts and not your brother or sister. Would you not be pissed.

rofl wow

Don't let the door hit you bro

Why would the customers be asked to care how much a company is spending to retain them?

The company, Bioware, felt it was needed to provide level 50s free game time...That doesn't mean we should put them on a pedestal like they are mother theresa or something.

It's been said many times that 200 million number for development cost was exaggerated.

It could really be that they are more profitable than they expected and therefore they have room to do this to attract people who quit and/or please people who stayed.

Also no small thing is the impact of you telling your school/work friend: "Hey, this Star Wars just gave me a free month!". Good marketing goes a long way.

Bioware did this to themselves.

They did not have to offer the level 50 "loyalty" reward to begin with. No one would have said anything. They were probably thinking "spend some to make some".

But boy, did that backfire on them. So now, they have to spend more $$ in order not to lose more $$ from all those who were upset and canceled yesterday.

One stupid move by their part and it snowballed into this. And they have no one but themselves to blame.

Believe me when I say this. Even as a Free to Play.. GW2 stinks. I am not privileged to let you know how I know. Just trust me.