Is the F2P/Preffered system too prohibitive, and if so, what should change?

Aren't there things you can buy from CM (and GTN) that give 1 or 3 hour experience and credit boosts (though not at the same time)? I'm certain of the former, but not the latter. In that regard, SWTOR has those other "free" games beat, right?

Sooth.

Of course, when I look back on the history of video games, there are plenty of blatant no-integrity cash grabs. The cycle seems to go:

1. A bright team of developers made some good games.
2. People play them and they are successful.
3. Corporate-suit-types want to cash in on this success.
4. Quality declines until,
5. Another bright team of developers makes some more good games.
6. Rinse and repeat.

The one unfortunate side effect of the power of the modern computer's ability to make fancy graphics is that most people expect a good game to have awesome visuals, requiring more people, artists, etc, requiring more money, requiring publishers that prefer a sure thing to something innovative (e.g. "why don't you make a game like Crossfire, it made a billion last year?")

I don't think its too prohibitive. I think there is some silly stuff against free to play such as no cargo hold, no unify colors, no hide head slots, no medical probes (deaths) after a certain level, etc.

Basically as a preferred, one can enjoy the game almost at the same level as a subscriber if he/she prepares ahead of time by acquiring the unlocks.

However, the two greatest things that annoy me while playing as preferred is the experience penalty and crafting. After hitting like level 20, "free to play/preferred" suffer a 25% experience penalty coupled with losing all "rested experience." This really makes leveling alts a chore. And, its the only reason I subscribe from time to time, so I can lessen the grind.

The other annoyance is crafting. Even after unlocking the third crew skill, a preferred player can only assign three crafting jobs (example: making hilts) at one time instead of twenty-five! This is a huge setback to those who like to craft and sell on GTN.

Yeah, can't say how many times I've tried to open trade with someone who accidentally ninjaed an item and had it tell me "You can't trade with f2p players" or whatever it says. I'm a subscriber (since launch, sans one week total) yet this is a restriction than harms ME much more than them.

Almost at the same level as a subscriber, you say? You're getting almost as much value from the game for the $5 plus some credits you spent as someone who pays $15 per month, every month, you say? Sounds like a very generous system!

You can get 1 and 3 hour duration 25% experience boosts from CM or GTN. Might help a bit.

[QUOTE=DarthTHC;7439470]Almost at the same level as a subscriber, you say? You're getting almost as much value from the game for the $5 plus some credits you spent as someone who pays $15 per month, every month, you say? Sounds like a very generous system!

I know of no other game that offers eight unique adventures filled with cinematic dialogue, interesting companions, much character customizations, pretty fun combat, and many hours of gameplay. I have never spent so many hours in one game as this one. Although, I have spent some money on this game, some other soul can do this all for free. I concur. It is generous.

WoW has a (IIRC) a level cap of 20 before they force you to pay a subscription, and WoT only allows you to have 3 tanks before you need to buy more garage slots (only having 3 tanks is really, really ******, let me tell you. Once you enter a battle with a tank you can't use it in another until the first one is over, which means in some circumstances you could potentially be locked out of all 3 for up to 10 minutes).

Not even CLOSE to the same level. Sorry, but that last guy is mistaken. Preferred still get shafted for what they can and cannot do, even if they were subs at one point. Not nearly as bad as Freeps but still really badly. You can't even unlock ~90% of the account-wide Legacy stuff unless you buy CC because it's so damn expensive.

Fair enough.

That's a bit harsh, dont you think?

I'm pretty sure we can make our points without insulting each other.

Remember folks, the question is.....

Is the F2P/Preffered system too prohibitive, and if so, what should change?

I am of the opinion it is, only in the ways I indicated. But my view is not even close to the last word on the matter, nor is it meant to be presented as a fact...only an opinion.

The title sets the tone...there are those that feel it is fine, others feel it needs more restrictions, others less, all valid opinions IMO....that is what the thread is for.

I for one appreciate the dialog.