(POINT 1)
Those who say that if it is an option to have fast travel in the game, nobody would use a taxi, is wrong. Some people, like myself, would use them. How do I know this?

There was a little game called Everquest. In EQ, there were three continents. There were docks where you would wait for a boat that would show up every 30 minutes to take you from one continent to the other. These boat rides took 15 minutes. While you were on these boats, you would sail by islands and ship wrecks, you could see sea monsters. You really felt like a world traveler. It was truly glorious to take these rides. Hell, you could even fish off the side of the boat.

However, there was also the option to get a port from one continent to another. Players would pay a small fee to get ported.

The thing is, even with this option, the boats were always full of players who like to take the boats. Even with the wait time at the docks. Even with the slow 15 minute boat ride to get across the ocean.

(POINT 2)
There is nothing wrong with fast travel. It does not matter if everyone else is fast traveling. This does not stop you from taking things slow and smelling the roses.

Some people do not have a lot of time to play. They just want to log on, find their friends, port over to them and start playing.

There might be a time where you might be asked to port to a party, let's say for a dungeon. So what? It will not kill you to port. Also, if you don't want to, don't port. Get to the dungeon or location you want to adventure around and then form a party there.

(POINT 3)
It does not matter if you like to port, hate to port or something completely different. Options are always a good thing.

Do not force someone to play your style. YOU play your style and let them play theirs. Everyone wins.

(POINT 4)
It should be cheaper, the slower you travel.

Walking is free. Hell, you could argue it makes you rich from all the stuff you will find along the way.

Taking a carriage should be cheap. Not only should it be fun, but realistically, how much is a taxi driver really going to charge a person?

Portals should be costly. Mages know they have you by the short and curlies. They know you want to be there yesterday and they will snake you for whatever they think a person would be willing to pay to be teleported.

The exception could be an item that let's you port for free once a day. You can port all ya want, as long as you can afford it, but first one is free.

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Anyway, that is my two coppers.

Have a nice day.
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