One of the reasons I quit playing free MMOs was the fact that they pretty much all became pay to win. I'd rather pay 10-15 a month for a game where everyone is on equal footing than get a free game where the guy that dumps hundreds of dollars into it has the biggest advantage. Granted, I dont have the time to play any MMO so thats all moot now.
Yup. Free fantasy MMO gets a ton of traffic, though, so I'm trying to corral some of it by offering value. I know what you mean about no free time. Until they come up with one that has time dilation. Heh.
Come on, let's be realistic...Turn 30 minutes into 30 hours of game-time? Extra money per month to turn 30 minutes into 30 days game-time.
I will only play games with a monthly fee. It keeps out the whiniest riff-raff, mostly because they consider it a mortal sin to pay for anything. Also, I agree with Lord Nova, the free-to-play usually devolve into a pay-to-win fiasco. Oddly, the ones who are the whiniest about paying ten bucks a month, will whip out a credit card to pay a hundred bucks for the weapons and armor of Uber Chea Taur.
I use to be able to play those games with a monthly subscriptions but I was just old enough when WoW and Eve online were taking off so i've played...(way too many hours cough cough) While I enjoy a new game and the idea of paying a subscription for a game I can't stand that micro-transaction are such a huge selling point. I use to be able put in the 30-120 hours of grinding or waiting on a weekly basis just for a chance to roll on that one weapon upgrade. Yet like so many others now that I am a father..My time is a little more focused on my family then it is on games, not that i'm complaining mind you .
I play Blade & Soul occasionally. It's beautiful, exciting and challenging. It's also an official e-sports game, therefore can't be pay to win. Most of the paid-for items are cosmetic or convenience. I'm a bit of a sucker for the cosmetic items lol