I’ve seen a lot of negative posts about this event (and the free trials) – I just wanted to offer a different perspective on it. I actually have an unusual perspective, I can see this from both the new player and current player sides, because I'm kind of both. I played L2 for about 2 years, but quit a while ago due to RL time constraints. I was thinking about coming back but after that “Call to Arms” event, I realized that my former server was dead – my entire clan/ally had quit, not a single person on my friendlist logged in the whole week and generally the server felt really empty. Some of my former clanmates had rerolled to another server – so when I got an e-mail about the free trials from Gamespot I thought I’d try it out on that server.
The timing of this event with the trials is, I think, not coincidental. Personally, I think it’s great timing, even with the farmer issue.
I played L2 long enough to know that typically the newbie towns are deserted – you might see one or two other people there the whole time you’re leveling, but that’s about it. When I first walked into TI on this trial account, I was shocked at how many players were there. I haven’t seen a starter town (and the area surrounding it) this crowded since OB. I know – there are a lot of bots. But still, there are a lot of real players there too, making alts or bringing in academy toons, etc. It makes the game seem alive, it makes new players realize, ‘yeah, there are people playing this game!’ (We all know that, but with most people up in the 70+ areas, new players wouldn’t know it.) Yeah, the bots are a turn-off – but so is an empty town.
I think real players are taking advantage of the trials, because I’ve seen a LOT of newbies running around TI – players that are not twinked. Lots of players both in town and out in the field – running around half clothed and with crappy weapons, LOL. Not only that, but they are partying together (which is a good thing – no one wants to feel like they’re playing a single-player MMO.) The week-long free trial is the chance for the game to show the players how good it is. If they don’t enjoy playing it, they’re not going to buy it.
Also, the pig event is great for new players because of the benefits received. No, we can’t trade or use private stores while on a trial account (I’ve tried, LOL), but if we buy the game – we’re set! I’ve not spent a whole lot of time doing it yet, but I’ve gotten several EA-D/EW-D, as well as an EA-B/EW-B and a BSOE. I know that’s like nothing to 70+, but to a level 13 – woohoo! Heck, that could nearly buy me top D gear! And I’m not finished with this event yet, either. Hopefully by the end I’ll have made at least several million – all before level 20! I could not have asked for a better start! The buffs are also extremely helpful. Newbie buffs are good, but you only get empower at levels 16-19, so before and after that, the event buffs are very welcome. They’ve allowed me to complete a lot of difficult quests that I may have had trouble with otherwise.
So while everyone is complaining about all the farmers using trials, I hope you’ll realize that there are actually quite a few real players doing the trials too – and I believe that having this event during the trials is a good thing. From skimming the boards recently, I’ve seen a lot of posts about the different server populations. I think everyone here wants more players! This would be a great time for you to make an alt or take your main over to one of the starter towns and start offering to help newbs! Or even just chatter – the game is more fun when people are talking! Remember Cruma back in C1? Show these newbs how fun L2 can be!