Just going to copy and paste my response from a steam post that I made in the game’s discussion forums.
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I don’t believe the token benefits are game breaking or unfair and this is coming from someone who doesn’t plan to buy tokens at the start, but will if I enjoy the game. F2P games require a constant flow of revenue (surprise) for game maintenance, server host cost, expansions, etc. Cosmetic and convenience items alone won’t work. Sure, they may work for MOBAs and FPSs because of how they’re designed, however, it doesn’t quite cut it in a MMORPG.
Either you provide a P2P service such as WoW, FFXI, FFXIV. You provide a B2P service with a cash shop such as GW2, BDO, etc. Or you provide a F2P with only a cash shop, which, in turn will output more unfair items in it because they require a way to encourage people to spend money. Or lastly, you have F2P with a premium subscription with a cash shop such as Tera, Archage, Wild Star, Rift, Tree of Savior, etc in hopes of having revenue mostly come from the subscription. This allows the company to put cosmetic and convenience items in the cash shop.
At the the end of the day they all have a way to have you put money into their game to make a profit, and to provide upkeep to the game.
Using the famous EXP boost and cosmetic items as an example, here are a few reasons why a purely convenience or cosmetic cash shop may not help an MMORPG thrive.
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EXP boosts are by definition a finite resource. The sales for EXP boosts will deteriorate over time as people reach max level.
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EXP boosts are not enticing enough alone. I have never bought an EXP boost in games I’ve played, yet I’ve paid for Tera subscription, Archage subscription, etc as a long-term player when I played those games.
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You require a constant influx of new players who are willing to buy an EXP boost to keep profiting off EXP boosts or a large amount of people willing to buy them for alternate characters.
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Realistically, most influx of players will be to “try it out.” It doesn’t guarantee an EXP boost purchase. So, lost revenue. Besides even if they become a long-term player it doesn’t guarantee an EXP boost purchase.
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Cosmetics has always been “hit or miss.” I’ve long-term played Tera, Archage, Rift, Guild Wars 2, Black Desert Online, World of Warcraft, FFXIV, etc a.k.a games in general that offer a form of cosmetic through mini-pets or clothes and I’ve never purchased them due to the fact I didn’t find them appealing.
This is why premium subscriptions are slowly becoming more apparent. Yes, they are optional, however, they provide beneficial bonuses to long-term players as a reward for supporting the game and entice, but do not force, the F2P players to supporting the game. Do you need the movement speed increase? No, but it’s enticing to players who want to move around the map quicker. Do you need the 10% tax? No, you can survive just fine off the 30% tax, but again it is enticing to players who want that little extra.
Maybe, I’m just crazy and I know there will be people who disagree with me, however, this is my 2 cents in an attempt to hopefully help someone understand why I personally don’t mind a premium subscription.
