I really hate using this line so much lately, but, are you new to MMOs? I don't agree with cash shops, but unless they're selling absurd crap that shouldn't be in the game or crap that SHOULD be in the game, and the entire pay model of the game isn't based off of the shop, I can get over it. Its just something that's been in the genre for, like, ever.

I heard the same arguments and I gave the same replies when TSW announced that they were doing the sub+cash shop. I was right then, and I expect I'll be right this time, though that gives me no satisfaction...

It's not that players allow it. It's that enough players actively want it enough that it's bad business for the company to not do it. Some people like the satisfaction of grinding mobs for hours for that rare mini pet. Others don't want to spend their time that way, but will happily drop a few dollars for a similar item.

So long as they don't sell items that are actually useful for gameplay, no one is hurt or at a disadvantage.

If you include the free month of game time that comes with purchase, and the game costs $60, one could say your really only paying $45 for the game.

That is why i like WoW's shop.

Boethias ass! Im so glad they kept their seriousness and went with subscription

Perhaps. I guess if there's going to be an upfront charge either way, I'd have it be 60$ and give 3 "free" months instead of 1. This way, the base installer costs 15$ and the company still profits from the sale of the disc.

Personally, I wouldn't charge for an installer at all, but hey, if that's what's to be done, that's how I'd go about it.

I don't really care what lesser companies do with their failed projects. Bethesda/Zenimax are one of the titans of the industry, and they've got a great track record for quality and customer loyalty. I trust them to do the right thing until proven otherwise, and showing me what other more low budget and desperate companies have done in the past isn't proving anything to me.

Not enough will play, check the Rage all over the internets. Every sub forum discussing this topic is full of fans of TES games who feel betrayed.

This game should of gone B2P and I think everyone was expecting it too, mainly because of who they were marketing this for. I am not a soothsayer or a prophet but with past history of notable Triple-A titles and the Business plan of subscription fees It doesn't take much insight to believe this game will inevitably fail on a traditional level.

The downside to this is that in 3 months the game will lose many players, its inevitable that players will leave because the game just is not for them or they can't get enough of their friends to change over from other games. The company needs to gain as much income as possible at launch to satisfy investors and repay development costs. The key is knowing whats fair and having faith in your product, but I don't agree that 3 months would be fair for the developers and publisher. 1 Month will give a player ample play time to decide the general direction they are going with the game, it also gives a player time to get involved in the game and leave them wanting more without costing ZOS much money.

Well, yeah. Most people on forums are predisposed to complain regardless of the topic. Because, really, that's what game forums are for. You'll hardly see anyone going on the forums just to say "WHY DID ZOS MAKE THIS GREAT DECISION?"

Bunch of whiners.

There will be plenty of people playing the game at start.

A month later, when the interwebs are all aflutter with how awesome the game is, hundreds of youtube videos showing awesomeness, these naysayers will svck it in, and subscribe.

Seriously "past history" being the last 3-4 years? I'd hope you weren't a soothsayer or a prophet with a scope that narrow.

I really wish you guys who could tell the future would go out, buy a lottery ticket and make your own MMORPG. That would leave us mere mortals here to enjoy ESO.