As the topic went too much about F2P vs P2P models I would like to share my 50 cents too (just thoughts and ideas on the fly).
1. P2P model some strengths (not a whole list for sure and only from my point of view)
- Feels more just - you know how much everyone pays and you know that no one gets any advantage by just paying more than you;
- Gives stable income to game dev company so they can rely on this income more steadily from the very beginning;
- Most of the players are loyal and ready to promote the game to others - after all they pay for t and they most probably like it;
- No "unnecessary server load" of "just checking" players that will be only an expense (or will they?);
- for sure it has other strengths but I just will not try to find them right now
2. But I see also one big problem in P2P model which is very relevant especially for DU:
- Less players are open to join the game if they are not introduced to it by friends or a marketing campaign - this means that the game population will grow slower than if the game is F2P and this could be a problem with the concept of a "Huge game universe." This concept is interesting only if you can meet other players in this huge universe. I hope the dev team plans to populate the universe gradually and make the discovery of new planets and other areas not an easy task so they are not explored before there is enough players to make them populated. Really, I think it is a great risk for an MMO to not have enough players' base for it to feels like an MMO when you join it. To deal with this problem and I see only two possible solution (you can see more) - have many players in a big game space or have fewer players but in a smaller game space. And one of the Key Selling Point of the game is the vastness of the game universe so this problem - having smaller player base - should be addressed.
So maybe a hybrid model is an option. I believe I saw somewhere in the site that there will be an option to play the game by paying with in-game currency but only later in the game. Not bad idea at all but it feels more like a reward for the dedicated players and I'm not sure if it will lead to good financial results. Your most dedicated players are your most devoted too so they are probably quite willing to pay for the game on a monthly base anyway.
I would probably try the hybrid model to attract new players instead - WoW is free for newbies and then becomes paid (although there is also an option to pay subscriptions by playing the game intensively). This model seems good to me but it also go in opposition with "no unnecessary server load" idea. But of course I think some compromising solutions could be made here - may be limiting the free newbie area so it is not very expensive to run or so with totally strange idea of limiting the available "slots" for free to play players... or give them only certain options just to feel the game but play it in a way that is beneficial to other players (the subscribers). For example, allowing them to play in the roles of NPC's/monster with limited options for movement and interaction, and thus actually make the game more interesting for paying customers. They will be able to play a very limited part of the game but will eventually feel attached to it and maybe convert to "paying players".... I know this idea is far-fetched but it is just an idea that tries to be "open minded" and trigger other ideas and solutions
I'm sure the team is considering many options and they will come with the right model at the end so my goal was just to iterate a bit over the topic and maybe push the thinking in some weird directions.
As of me, I would definitely try the game (if it is not too hardware-heavy), no matter the payment method.
