The problem with CF (or one of them) is the time sink. It's a PK-based MUD. So, you spend time learning PK, preps, gear, etc. all so you have a good chance at killing people you come across. Most of the time, if you're like me, you get steamrolled because most of the people playing this game have been playing it for years. How do you level the playing field? Well, I suppose you too can play for years or at least spend hours learning every facet of the game. Or, if you don't have years to put in a game -- and I wager most people don't -- you could have the option of paying to reduce the time spent, just a bit.

I think of Battlefield (the shoot-em-up). Players have the option of forking over $50(?) for the Premium package, which unlocks areas and weapons that you would have otherwise had to unlock by scoring points over time in the game. I admit that I don't like dying to a Premium player especially when the dude wastes me with a gun that takes a huge amount of time to unlock. However, I do feel good wasting a Premium player and knowing that my skill made the difference, not his insta-set of guns and gear. Also, when I see those Premium players, I have to say I respect that they loved the game/want to win so badly that they paid extra on top of the price of the game. I wouldn't, but I respect that. Either way, I like that you can play Premium or not and still have a blast. The two types of players co-exist.

That's why, in CF's case, if some player paid to have his character start at 30, with 75% skills and other gimps, I wouldn't really mind. That's his choice to pay that money and avoid having to rank, find groups, etc. Maybe some players want to just get in, tear stuff up, and get out. I see a lot of people running around trying to PK at 30-40, so I think this is a good starting point -- hypothetically -- for such an option. Again, I understand if this is against the "spirit" of things, but I do think we have to at least consider even knee-jerk bad ideas if we're going to help this game at all.

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"In short, I've literally forgotten more about Hell than you'll ever know." - Graatch