120888-demo-server-idea

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I've heard a few variations on what people think the free trials should consist of: Ranging from extending the guest passes an extra week to WoW style demo to 20 or higher.
 
I lean towards the unlimited demo, but low on the level cap and on a separate server.
 
A separate F2P demo server.  Max level 6.   That's the arcships plus the 4 landing zones (Crimson badlands, Northern Wilds, Everstar Grove and Levion Bay) plus a foot into the larger beginner zones (Celestion, Algoric, Deradune, Ellevar)
 
Reason for separate server/cluster ::  it seems less complicated and more stable to keep the different populations on different systems/networks/databases.  e.g., on the demo server; no name camping worries, you could auto-flush accounts that haven't been played in a year or not worry how a sudden surge of demo users would affect paying subscribers (1000 Lvl 1 Taurens raiding Stormwind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnuN1NZXpmI ) and generally target populations with different rules/mechanics as circumstances dictate.
 
Reason for unlimited demo with level 6 cap :: I don't Think the one week trial period is long enough for the target audience to get its sea legs in this game, but Carbine seems resistant to opening the game to unwashed masses to level xX.  A cap at lvl 6 is a compromise that limits moochers and lurkers by limiting available content, but giving people a chance to learn the class mechanics and take a fair gander at the game.  Their are only a handfull of quests at lvl 6, with only a dozen or so quests outside the landing zones (grey exclamations for other NPCs in the other outposts). 
 
Guest Passes/trial keys? :: No change in functionality. They would be introduced to the general subscriber base as they are now and have the same max 20 lvl and restrictions.  In fact, if they play the starting zones a few times on the demo server, they may get a better feeling for which class/faction they want to play and have a more productive 1-20 experience with the general population.  
 
Server interactions :: To limit administrative overhead, it would probably be best if transfers from the demo server to the subscriber servers were not supported.  (Besides, after playing a few demo toons, one should be able to fully play through it in an hour; 30 minutes if they rushed it. )
 
What about Housing, 5-mans, mounts, crafting/trades? :: No, this idea is to get people comfortable with the game/class mechanics with out feeling the ominous haste that timed trials give.  If they want to try all that and not commit, they can get a guest pass.  They will have access to the rental mounts at lvl 6 and be able to putter around and have access to the new ship hand at level 6 (Fragment 0).  Also, a BG at lvl 6 is accessible too, but I've no idea how class balance is at that level.
 
 	
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			Getting to level 6 takes less than an hour..... Putting such low level limit is a bit silly. 14 or 15 is a better option.	
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i like the idea.
only "hic" is that you won't be able to transfer your toon to the real server, or would you? then it needs maybe other restriction like gold pieces or whatever else that could harm the real server or economy.
 
good idea though.
basically, why not make the game f2p until level 20? on the main server ?	
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Having a demo server is kinda silly, imo. I think it'd be better to have the Free Trial people still on the regular servers, so they could interact with the community at large, even if just a little. Sure, no guild or circle or whatever, and probably some chat limitations, but if they were on a demo server, who would answer their questions? Other new people who also don't know? They could get a taste of how things normally are. I also like the 14-15 level cap. Maybe even 20 so they can get a taste of Stormtalon.
 
Then, by level 20 they can get a general feel for their class/path, experience a Dungeon, an Adventure, Housing, and some PvP.	
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Not the brightest idea. Way better let people try real life of Nexus, filling gaps where we have not enough people: lowbie dungeons, pvp and adventure. So I would say let them play indefinite at level 20, letting sell/buy stuff from CX/AH, plat limit 1-5 plat, crafting till tier 2 would be perfect. Just imagine gadzillion lowbies for PvP and PvE?
 Maybe some limits for using chats, or give payed customers option to filter trial players. And give option for easy sign up. Awww, you in love with your level 20 aurin? Just buy guy game for 20 bucks and keep playing.	
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A lvl 20 demo cap may seem reasonable for a title built around endgame - but it's not been offered in too many titles.  Even current guest passes are much restricted at this point.   So, I'm thinking there's a devil in the details in doing so..
 
I'll guess that capped F2P demos with the general population are an unknown and puts a question mark over server resources and staff time spent on account maintenance for non-paying players.
 
Imagine if 80% of a megaservers resources went toward Waltiki Temple for demo players.  I'd be stoked to be able to level in PvP again - but NCSoft.  If the increase in purchases/subs didn't keep up with the expense of resource demands that demo accounts placed on the system and staff, the bean counters would just make grumpy faces and report a loss.  Also, If ANYTHING happened to affect stability for subscribers due to the increased load, there would be a certain sort of storm and bad press.  That's why I put forward the lvl 6 cap on a isolated server farm - a few hours of play, less resource load and no interference with the subscribing player base.  Less risk. (and ditch the lvl 6 BG now that I've thought about it)
 
I was happy enough with my own experience in the landing zones to have been sold on the game, had it been a demo.  Doubly so if I had set foot in Algoroc and was only able to do a handful of quests before encountering grey exclamation points.
 
Would any others have been sold on the first 6 levels?
 	
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This sounds like a logistical mess. An expensive logistical mess for no good reason.
 
I think Carbine will do more extensive trials once they feel more confident about their player retention.	
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			Filing this idea under fail, then.  Next crackpot idea could be worse though.	
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I was happy enough with my own experience in the landing zones to have been sold on the game, had it been a demo.  Doubly so if I had set foot in Algoroc and was only able to do a handful of quests before encountering grey exclamation points.
 
Would any others have been sold on the first 6 levels?
 
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			coolish idea and if they want to sub it transfers their toon / toons to the live servers (when they use a credd) boom easy peezy lemon squeezie.	
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