Stupid F2P Restrictions

I heavily favor the end-game content in TOR, so I'll keep my subscription going.

That said, I am cheap and would like to go F2P. Like many others, I like LotRO's F2P setup: Unlocks. Can't say I like the whole "weekly pass" for warzones, flashpoints, and operations. I'd personally prefer there be static unlocks. So pay X cartel coins to unlock Eternity Vault (story mode) on just one character, and pay more coins to unlock Karagga's Palace, or Explosive Conflict. You'd have to pay again on another character to unlock the same content, but it would be unlocked and available from now on. That is what would be ideal for me. I'd buy the operation unlocks for my operation characters, the PvP unlocks for my PvP characters, and other unlocks for other atls once I get them leveled.
That's not what Bioware has chosen to do. It's their game so it's their call. I personally wouldn't go F2P and then pay for PvP/Operations one week, then pay again another week, then pay again another week, on and on. So I'll stay subscription.
Again, give me some sort of F2P options where I could pay $50 in microtransactions to unlock the end-game stuff I want for each specific character and then play them with no more monthly cost, and I'd be all for it.

Couple points about what others have said:

People currently not paying for a subscription can play new alts up to 15, their high-level mains are completely out of reach. After F2P, if they choose to continue not paying, then they'll get to play their characters again, but won't get end-game gear or as much end-game content (and no raids).

The saying that "you get what you pay for" is incorrect for F2P TOR. Getting what you pay for would be NOT playing TOR if you pay $0 a month. Under free-to-play you will get the core of the game FOR FREE, and you'll have to pay, one way or another, for convinence and most end-game content. You get LOTS for free and can get more if you pay.

$15 a month for a sub too much for you? How much do you spend on coffee, soda, or bottled water in a month?

the restrictions are 2 high... They will have to step back and unlock content, when they notice, that they loose the f2p players... Or else, they will loose alot..

f2p program is good if they handle it nicelly, but a trap if the handle it like a forcing system to make u pay.. they will fall into a trap.

Imagine that most of the players will turn into f2p. The only players will stay on sub plan, are the only guilds who greed the ops... And there not many!.. So if the plan forcing them to pay only if they want content, it will fail..

Pvp will be more fun with f2p plan, because the world, will turn into an arena!! hahahaha Its much easier for f2p players start killing each other in the world, than paying for warzones.. I wouldnt care about warzones if I was a dedicated pvp player...

They just have to make lots of content via expansions from now on, so they can sale retail stuff.. Thats my opinion.

Welcome to mmo's. Restrictions are part of f2p models.

Um F2P shouldnt have the same features as P2P. These are all perfectly reasonable unless youre a leech who wants something for nothing.

Oh and by the way Boo f'n hoo on the no sprint at lvl 1. if you had been here on day 1 you would know we used to not get it till lvl 14.

I know this is too late, but instead of making the game F2P, they should have dropped the sub down to $10.00 or less.

1). Allow players to sprint at level 1
2). Give players full character creation options(There aren't many to being with)
3). Increase the amount of warzones a week to 7 warzones(Same for flashpoints and space missions)
4). Give them Emergency Fleet(18 hr cooldown, who cares....)
5). Don't limit purple gear(I purchased the Collector's Edition for $150 and now it is less than $40). I have payed enough money. If I unsub, I should keep the gear.

I want new players to have fun with the game and pay their subs. I don't want players to say to themselves "Why the heck can't I do anything in this game without paying something? These people are cheap business men; thank god the game I purchased was less than $15"

If you go through with all of these restrictions, then this game is in even MORE trouble. I have a lot of friends who want to tryout this game, and one of them looked at the restrictions and said "Well, I suppose we will group up in Call of Duty Black Ops 2, and good thing Halo 4 is coming out a week before BO2 haha"

You are failing to consider that people have different options for what games they want to play. Nobody is going to shell out that much cash for your restrictions Bioware. ESPECIALLY when Black Ops 2 and Halo 4 come out, good luck with that. People are going to be saving their money for Map packs. Personally, if I unsubbed and had a choice to either:
A). Purchase items to equip gear, do warzones, and everything else... OR
B). Purchase FPS Freek ELITE from that kontrolfreek site, Call of duty Black Ops 2, Dishonored, Assassin's Creed 3, FF13-3, Halo 4(Which I won't buy but others will), Medal of Honor(Warfighter), far cry 3, a lock picking set, and many others games/items...

Well, I would pick option B. Only a mindless fool would play SW:TOR as a F2P member once they hit level 50. You are treating F2P members like they are dirt.( I have been playing in the beta, pre ordered the CE edition, and have been playing since early access/launch). I have never unsubbed before, however I have been considering doing so. I am disgusted at these restrictions and my friends won't be joining or staying very long with these barriers.

However, please keep the restriction on the general/trade/pvp chats.

And man what a difference it makes when you walked for the first 13 levels. Sprint felt like a level 3 speeder.

Yes sir it sure did. Goal #1 get to lvl 14 as soon as possible.

The weekly passes are for the F2P people to be able to do more of what they like without paying a sub , ofcourse there's the argument that 3 WZ's / FP's is a bit low but the pass will give them the option to do more. I guess the locked purple gear is a bit weird but they are getting the game from 1-50 for free , so that restriction will help them get a little bit of money from a F2p'yer. Hopefully it will be a one off payment and be for all their characters.

Cheers,

BadOrb.

So, it occurs to me; Bioware does not understand it's customer.

No one wants to feel like they're playing a crippled experience, and pay to normalize things. People want to feel as if they're getting a full-featured experience, and will be eager to pay for a perceived advantage.

In reality, there may be no difference between the two things. A 20% experience nerf becomes a buff when you add it back in, but it's all about how you position it.

Seeing as most players (e.g., former subscriber #s > current subscriber #s) did not feel as if they were getting their $15 worth, I would have thought the way forward would be to give the game as it was at launch for free, and to give subscribers perks such as legacy. FTPlayers could then have the option of purchasing those perks to enhance their experience.

Additionally, they need to launch this endeavor with things everyone can spend money on, because for every few FTP freeloaders, there's going to be someone who will spend a bundle. I've personally spent nearly $150 in Guild Wars 2 over the past couple months on boosts, dyes, salvage kits, etc. I'm happy to spend the money to enhance my experience as I'm a busy professional with limited gaming time that also loves MMOs.

If I had a way to pay for boosts and play through nothing but the class stories in SWTOR, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But Bioware won't take my money. On the contrary, they gate legacy XP perks behind credits, which I do not have the time to grind for. The result? I don't get to see the class stories and Bioware/EA make no additional money.

The people running SWTOR need to give up the idea that keeping players from content by gating it with a grind is good game design and let the better aspects of their game dictate the experience.

OR they subscribe.

Bottom line, you CAN'T give F2P players the same access as subscription players. WHY should a F2P player get FREE what I have to pay $15/month for? You totally devalue the subscription, and the idea is an f2P option should bring in ADDITIONAL revenue, not cost them paying subscribers.

If I pay $15/month I get the right to be entitled. You pay nothing, but get the full 1 - 50 level experience with no gimp on powers or weapons? You get NO entitlement to ask for more. You want more, you pay $$ in Cartel Coins or you subscribe.