Free Weekend: (FAIL)
BloodIron EU ~ LOW
Blightweald EU ~ LOW
Icewatch EU ~ HIGH
FACT: Rift is quite a big game to download - I know that with my ISP speeds and if this offer was presented to me that I sure as hell would not download it for one measly weekend of play. Takes me 12 hours to download the Defiance beta and even this is annoying. Rift will be longer for guys like me if we didn't have the game.
As for brand new players, the questing experience from 1~50 is still too lack-lustre in my opinion. If a friend invites me to the game, he'll probably be a lvl 60 - I want to play with my friends - as soon as possible, obviously!
Why don't Trion get smart and give any unsubscribed players access for at least ONE full month and everyone a free level 50? - to actually give new players a chance to try STORM LEGION?
Oh yeah, if they don't want to completely drive players away with the mindless grind from 50~60 - make the leveling XP experience for EVERYONE (including subscribers) like 100% for level from 1 to 60 and also 100% for PA points during this "free" period so that existing players can get one level 50 and choose to level an alt faster.
Why a free lvl 50? New players that are raiders generally don't want to see 1~50 and just power-grind to 60. Collectors, Explorers, Achievement Hunters, Epic Quest Chasers and nostalgia freaks will still go back to the old content. So, what's the big deal?
New people can level up and fall in love with the end-game. None of this 20% xp nonsense.
New players want to see end-game, to participate in raids. You want to win new players? Get them to max level ASAP to actually try the game.
What you going to do for the current "free" weekend? GRIND? How fun! See end-game? Nope. Waste of time and load on the servers in my opinion.
Everyone benefits from this free month idea - veterans can get PA boost for a month, and a free level 50 or if they so choose or a lower level up quicker. Additional bonus for Vets? Make Rep gains 100% as well. I speak from experience - when the grind is too steep, I don't even bother.
Oh, yeah - put all the new guys on low pop servers for a week.
What harm is there in doing this for a month? Everyone benefits if the world of Rift gets more people.
Heck, if they do this, I may even be enticed to level an alt - at the moment? Not a hope in friggin' hell.
I am bored till 2.3 rolls around. I've done all the games once or twice and they're boring. Press space-bar with my carpal tunnel syndrome - how excitingly painful.
Games still reward too few tickets.
Only people I see complaining are the "die hard" masochists who thinks it's unfair people get it easier than they had it to get to 60. Your attitude is dumb and destroying the community. An mmo is no good if not enough people are playing.