Paid/Unpaid accounts options

[Suggestionperso]

To whom it many concern,
I would like to address the issue concerning the limitations and functions of paid/unpaid accounts. After conferring with many people, they have all agreed with me on the following (regarding this issue): that unpaid accounts 1)should AT LEAST have unit scans, 2)there should be a server for unpaid/paid accounts, AND/OR 3)if unpaid accounts had more abilities, Planetarion would have a lot more players. Of course, it would be not fair towards the paid accounts if unpaid accounts get extended access to the tech tree without compensation and therefore, paid accounts could get something to the effect of faster ticks, higher starting income, etc.

[Shaithess]

Originally Posted by Suggestionperso

To whom it many concern,
I would like to address the issue concerning the limitations and functions of paid/unpaid accounts. After conferring with many people, they have all agreed with me on the following (regarding this issue): that unpaid accounts 1)should AT LEAST have unit scans, 2)there should be a server for unpaid/paid accounts, AND/OR 3)if unpaid accounts had more abilities, Planetarion would have a lot more players. Of course, it would be not fair towards the paid accounts if unpaid accounts get extended access to the tech tree without compensation and therefore, paid accounts could get something to the effect of faster ticks, higher starting income, etc.

1) Perhaps
2) Different ones? :S We had different universes in PaX. Was kinda silly splitting an already tiny memberbase.
3) Faster ticks? What do you do when you're attacking an unpaoid? Go at your speed? Get more easily roided by paid overnight? I disagree, though I would like to see unpaid accounts have better access to tech tree, I'd prefer to see something like only paid planets able to join an alliance/buddy pack/change skins/exile themselves, and perhaps engineering (which would be locked to unpaid)

[Suggestionperso]

I realize what I am suggesting for paid/unpaid players is not very pragmatic, BUT I was wondering if Unpaid accounts can be somehow given the same maximum potential as paid accounts WITHOUT creating an unfair situation for paid accounts (like the ideas that you suggested, which by the way, are very good ideas )

[mist]

if you read about a bit, this has already been looked at thoroughly, such as:

http://pirate.planetarion.com/showthread.php?t=179896

-mist

[Suggestionperso]

Actually, Mist you are wrong. I read that thread and all it mentions are skins, ship changes, and "some more changes concerning payment/free accounts which will make the game better, but of which I can't remember if they were anounced officially yet or were told to me in confidentiality" (that is all it mentions regarding paid/unpaid accounts). Correct me if I am wrong but "if you read about a bit, this has already been looked at thoroughly..." I wouldn't use the word 'thoroughly', considering the fact that it has ONLY been mentioned once in that thread(in a general and vague manner mind you).

[Gerbie]

Originally Posted by Suggestionperso

Actually, Mist you are wrong. I read that thread and all it mentions are skins, ship changes, and "some more changes concerning payment/free accounts which will make the game better, but of which I can't remember if they were anounced officially yet or were told to me in confidentiality" (that is all it mentions regarding paid/unpaid accounts). Correct me if I am wrong but "if you read about a bit, this has already been looked at thoroughly..." I wouldn't use the word 'thoroughly', considering the fact that it has ONLY been mentioned once in that thread(in a general and vague manner mind you).

Hmm you are right. There is no official post about this subject as far as I know. But I can asure you that I have the impression that the options available to unpaid accounts have been looked at thoroughly. An anouncement with more information about rnd 12 is expected soon (I'm not sure they will say anything about this particular subject yet though.) One other thing is the following (from that thread):

Originally Posted by Kal

As to round 12, Gerbie is pretty much correct although the galaxy setup is not precisly defined. The one thing I can say is it won;t be the same as this round and it is being designed to counter the problems found this round.

One of the problems refered to is the fact that in the current round some galaxies had 3 buddygroups in them while others had none. Many paid accounts play in buddygroups, while most free accounts dont. A more even distribution of free and paid accounts by creating a more even distribution of buddy groups will benifit the free accounts.

[Nology]

Suggestion: Do not punish us because they aren't paying. At least let them see other persons incoming so those in the galaxy that are paid and aren't online don't get punished by not getting defense. There is no reason those of us who do pay should lose the ability to get defense because they didn't pay.

[Phant]

That last remark there is something that needs to be changed indeed.
If someone ends up in a gal with mostly unpaic accounts they will have to be online 24/7 to avoid beeing bashed because of unpaid accounts not seeing the incs. Like he said: Dont punish the ones who did pay, which is what happens with this.

[wakey]

Originally Posted by Shaithess

I'd prefer to see something like only paid planets able to join an alliance

You are kidding about that arent you, I think I can safely say a large number of freebies whom ended up paying only did so BECAUSE of their alliance. Either they found someone in the alliance whom would pay for them or they were accepted by the alliance and became attached and wanted to help give back. Alliances are a major part in getting new players