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Every single one of them can also be unlocked in the game, for free (that's 100% free, in case you didn't catch that in the last few paragraphs) by using certification points. The problem with this theory is that none of the items which are available for purchase with cash are cash-exclusive items. Of course, the game also has a microtransaction system built in through which players can spend their hard-earned cash on in-game items like rocket launchers, rifles, vehicle weapons, etc.This has led a small but vocal portion of the players to cry foul and scream "Pay to win!!". The people with the subs just get some stuff a little faster. You still have access to all the same content which is available to subscribers. You needn't buy the subscription if you don't want to.
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If you choose to pay SOE for their hard work, they reward you by giving you a boost to the speed at which you gain resources and XP, by giving you priority status in any login or continent switching queue which may exist and they give you a couple of other perks like 500 station cash per month and early access to in-game vanity items. The subscription option is plain and simple. If you choose, you may purchase a subscription. There is nothing – absolutely NOTHING – in the game that you have to pay for to unlock. You get 100% of the content without ever having to pay a single, thin dime. The game is 100% free to download and install and you get 100% of the content without ever having to pay a dime. This is great because it certainly allows people to get in and experience the games at no cost.
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One of the new and exciting things about SOE's business model is their new free-to-play concept, which makes all of their games free of subscription fees.
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You want a comparison? There! Now GET! Free to play?
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