f2p is not a magic bullet. It will not make GW2 better, and will tax the resources that Anet has. Quality would plummet if you introduce a huge number of unpaying gamers to the systems, and it is not a reasonable approach at this point in time. Furthermore, the f2p types would not play this game in its current form. The PvP simply isn’t polished enough.
Expanding the sPvP player base is critical for the game to be a PvP success, but Anet needs the game to be a monetary success in order to pull this off. Frankly the serious PvP gaming public that gets attracted to f2P is fickle and unprofitable to address. My opinion on the issue is that Anet could make the PvP profitable and vastly improve the competetive environment by implementing some combination/permutation of the following ideas:
Cash Shop limited access game purchases – Don’t give anyone something for nothing, the product is frankly too costly to develop to throw around this way. If you want to ensnare the f2p types that can actually have a profitable existence then you CAN introduce a low dollar, limited access account type that you would need to publicize (using the existing PvP player base and viral marketing would probably yield decent results for very little cost). Something on the order of a $5-$10 transaction for access to hot join and free tourney only, no PvE and one to two rotating professions (a week or 2 between rotations).
A la Carte purchases in cash shop for increasing access – Cash only transactions or a huge price in gems to permenantly unlock a profession for sPvP. Another transaction to unlock paid tourneys, rare skins, etc.
Development. - The PvE portion of the game is polished and very appealing to the grinders that want to run the same dungeons over and over again, and while it is admirable that Anet is still putting out more content for the PvE crowd and keeping their word, the PvP has suffered for it. More game modes (deathmatch, KotH, relic runs, etc.) should be implemented in order to make the PvP more dynamic, and stuff like underwater combat and downed state blance still need to be fixed before this game can be considered seriously viable as a PvP title.
Targeted, free access to high level, popular PvP streamers – Go get the PvP big boys. Find the f2p gamers that have a large following, and recognize their value as influencers. The more highly skilled gamers are streaming the more sheeple will buy it to compete. As an additional side note LISTEN to the feedback that you get from these players, and gie their input more weight than the masses. They will make the game better faster, because they are better players. I know I said don’t give anyone something for nothing, but getting these types of players into the game brings value to Anet’s product and is a form of marketing. That is why this isn’t a something for nothing.
Find a way to make the PvP “sticky”. – Anet created a gear treadmill for PvE, and it increased the “sticky” factor for people that are into that kind of thing (I think they are sadists, but whatever). There needs to be a similar tactic employed for the PvP crowd, and the current ranking/glory/tourney reward system doesn’t get it done. This is perhaps the trickiest proposition that I am throwing out there at the moment. Maybe something more recognition based specific to Guilds (not to pummel the dead horse) akin to GvG. It promotes a “stickiness” that encourages the player base to introduce new players to PvP and train them up that is currently not a part of the game. The high level PvP community (which I clearly am not a part of) see eachother frequently enough and dont necessarily need this, but this is what drives the mid-level PvP experience that made GW so successful.
There is plenty more to say on the topic, but I have already been far too long winded.
