Originally Posted by
dunklezhan
So...first, sorry for abusing the use of the 'quote' function like that. But I agree with much of what you say, especially about MOTU vs SC, so there's little point filling the page up with it again.
Let me be perfectly clear: I have plenty of sympathy for those who won't be able to immediately afford the expansion. However that's not really different than them having to save and buy an update.
Its what a real-cash-only-update represents in terms of free vs premium vs vip. As a premium player who owns everything content wise like a freakin' magpie, I'll certainly be buying it. I'm not a VIP, so I'm not speaking for whether VIP is worth it to others whilst still paying extra for expansions - that's my bugbear and the ship has sailed. But in terms of keeping free-level players around? I don't think a firm paywall is sensible, and that should be avoided except where essential in my view.
Anyway, that's my own thoughts, and not actually that pertinent to the question I was asking really. The question of expansion vs update for me is not one of money.
If the question was only 'does it warrant a paid for adventure pack'? then I would give a resounding 'shut up and take my money!' but that's not the same as an expansion, and I'm wondering what it is about a new world specifically that warrants taking that paywall step.
NOTE; I'm not calling for some "expansion boycott" or for turbine to "justify" themselves or anything like that. I'm just interested in what other players think because I'm interested, not because I have an ulterior motive to attack anyone/anything.