User blog comment:Ikabite/The Elder Scrolls Online: P2P or F2P?/@comment-95.96.227.196-20121108163207/@comment-24.140.53.206-20130114073507

b2p is not f2p.

b2p you pay once and done. there might be a shop, mostly cosmetic items, etc. Then you pay for expansions, or what moves p2p games release in a patch between their massive expansions.

F2P you often dont have to pay anything up front, but, to level at a reasonable speed, items have you be bought to move, cast or attack at a reasonable speed, often paying cash to be a good player with reasonable damage/heals/etc. some f2p you have to pay for access(some times time limited access) to certain content. This often ends up being the most expensive for the dedicated gamer. its one reason most hardcore players go to p2p games such as wow or rift. F2p tends to be a last resort and a sign the game is failing. its a ploy to make more money per month off dedicated players then they would with a 15 buck monthly fee, and a hoax to bring new players

P2P is the best route for balance/fair gameplay. you pay your subscription for access to all areas, access to all pvp, leveling areas, raids, etc. your skill and power based off of game play, not off of how much money you are willing to spend. It also keeps a balance in the in world economy no paying cash for items then selling them, effectively paying cash for gold. P2P also tends to have a more reliable and better community in general.

people want things for free, but f2p is not free, it ends up costing more to have access to the content. this is not a home game that you link with others to play multiplayer mode. go play CoD or fable if you want that. This is a living, breathing world, constant content updates(whether you b2p then buy each one or included with subscription fee). its a  massive world that evovles, changes, grows, etc. its maintained on their servers. people need to understand a patch every two months or so is like a small expansion you get for free with subscription models, as opposed to paying for with b2p or the f2p models.

i can say, i wont play if its f2p. costs to much to play that route. you level and gear up to get better, but have to pay a boat ton to get the potions/scrolls etc to even keep up with other players as far as leveling, combat and power. no thanks. P2p leads to a more fair and balanced game, steady income for the devs to create content, etc.