How does SWTOR Free to Play fare

Released more then two weeks ago, I think there is already far enough of time to get a first perception of how is Free to Play implemented on Star Wars: The Old Republic.

First of all, I think it's honorable that Bioware and EA, decided to open the f2p possibility to the game. Many would deem that it's the only option possible besides shutting down the game since it was faring pretty bad before. I wouldn't agree, but sure it wasn't that great either. The game failed in many aspects and with a market flooded with MMORPG titles, most with f2p option, SWTOR would not be a first option. So they decided to implement f2p allowing players to try the game (and I emphasize the word try) without spending any or much on it. But if you don't want to spend any of it, the ride wont be as great...

So, how is the f2p model in SWTOR? Well it feels somewhat similar with the model of Everquest 1 and 2 (or even Vanguard) from SOE or Age of Conan but this one is even more limited. These titles sprung to my mind when I first saw the model working. Why? 

Well from SOE they took the idea of limiting access to gear, by locking the best quality gear away from f2p players. Only way, and this is slightly different from SOE, you buy an unlocker to either your char or your account and the problem is fixed. SOE you buy individual unlockers (forever) for each piece of gear.

Also the more recent content, in which this case is Section X where players get the new companion, HK-47, is locked away from f2p. Again buy either an unlock for character or account and you can use it.

From Age of Conan, but not as limited, they locked the amount of times a f2p player can use either the flashpoints (instances for SWTOR) to 3 a week and warzones (battlegrounds) for 5 a week. Operations (or raids) are off the chart for the f2p player. Only way to fix it, is to buy a week pass that allows full access to one of the three. Each week pass is just for one type, not the three.

And, to spice things up, Bioware and EA decided to add their own vision for f2p... And this is what stirred the community. Why not lock parts of the UI to the f2p player? That's a nice idea no? No! I mean really? You want to cripple the experience to players that could very well be the future subscribers of your game? I think this is the most silly concept I have ever seen for an f2p game... The idea was to limit the use of the game bars to just 2 for any of the f2p player. And can you imagine yourself playing a game where you don't have enough space on your UI to put your skills? Every time I need to grab my speeder I need to open the skill windows, go to mounts tab and pick the speeder. Tedious process...

But somehow they are going to redeem it. For all players with preferred status, which means older subscribed players or any who spent at least 5 euros/dollars in the shop, will be entitled to 4 UI bars. This change is to happen soon.

Also other limitations are appearance, like helm, f2p can't turn it off... Or titles which can't be used by a f2p player. Or there currency limitation for tokens and in-game credits (I still have doubts if I can buy any pvp gear with this token limitation).

The good thing I can see on all of this, is the fact that most of the items sold in shop can be also sold in Auction House (although there is a cool down to actually place the item at the AH, think it's 1 day and a half)  The biggest problem of it? The limitation of credits to 350k... Can't buy much.

Overall, this model, is on the lowest side of f2p models available at the market. No where near the likes of Star Trek Online or Aion or even Dungeons and Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online. If you want to check the game, try the class stories, which are really good, then I think you can do well in the game, and enjoy yet another Star Wars experience. Otherwise, if you want something more of the game, I would probably say subscribe, or get a friend you trust and has the game active, farm those credits, and let him keep them so he buys to you what you need from the AH whenever you need. The system could work, I'm trying it with my brother!