[Czar Kahchi]

I agree with this idea - keeps the naysayers and trolls out. But CCNA has a valid point - what about if you take a sub break? There should be some kind of trigger in place (a grace period maybe) where you can still post and share thoughts and ideas.

[Felix Walde]

how about buy game your in,

trolling only allowed if you pay

you get barred for, not paying and trolling

[flora]

@Xabien Exactly why I said there should be an open forum within the forums (in sections), so people can still communicate whatever they're trying to communicate when they aren't subbed and can still read and search the forums for subbed players.

[Shannon Marie Jones]

/signed

Forum trolls never help anyone and only those who are paid subscribers should be allowed to post.

[Alycia Leann grace]

If they aren't playing, they shouldn't have much to communicate. What are the potential conversations you see in this hypothetical forum?

[Taylor Tifany]

How is zone chat during the beta in any way relevant? There is a difference between being invited for a weekend to beta test a game and coming back day upon day to troll in a forum for a game you have no interest in. Once it is no longer fun, those people will wander off to some other place that IS fun.

WoW is exactly my point. People who are letting their WoW subscriptions lapse currently exceed people who are renewing or adding a subscription (until recently). Whatever WoW is doing to retain customer base is not working long term. Following WoW in this matter is hardly a prescription for success in today's world.

People who feel that they are part of a community, even if they are unable to play for a while, are probably much more likely to renew their subscription than someone who is cast out and, for a few months, is encouraged to go elsewhere and experience other things. If they find something that fills the gap that ESO once filled, they have little reason to return. There are a LOT of distractions. WoW may lose subscribers to ESO. ESO needs to retain subscribers.

My point is that by being too exclusive, you run the risk of people wandering off and not returning. People who really had no intention of wandering off, and would not have wandered off if they community were more welcoming.

[saharen beauty]

@nerevarine1138 You're right there shouldn't be much to communicate, it would probably be full of threads complaining about one thing or another as well as the fact that they can't post in the subbed section lol

[kasia]

I'm not sure you've ever encountered a troll before. They don't disappear after a few days, and it's not like there aren't others who will try and take up the mantle. Trolling is prevented by stopping people from getting to the forums in the first place.

And I find real irony in saying that WoW's plans haven't worked in the long term as they approach their 10 year anniversary and 5th expansion. People who temporarily let their subscriptions lapse do not need the forums to keep them involved. They already know when they will pick up their subscription again, and if they're leaving indefinitely, the ability to post on a forum about a game they're not playing doesn't serve anyone.

[Claudz]

The official SWTOR forum is for paying subscribers only, so see no reason the official ESO forum couldn't follow suit, once this temp forum goes the way of the Dodo.

[Jessica Nash]

I can't think of one game, where I can post in the forums without having a payed sub or something, I can read the TOR forums for example but I can not post any longer since I dropped my sub, any one should be able to read and search but, not being able to post without a sub seems to be pretty much the standard from my expereince.

[Dalton Greynolds]

Why not?

However, WoW's forums are subscriber only and they have plenty of trolls and naysayers. Just sayin'.

[Sweet Blighty]

I do, but you have to realize that MOST Trolls will wander off when it is no longer fun. As for the DEDICATED Trolls that make a career out of it, well, that is why there are moderators.

It is true that WoW is still the big elephant in the room, but they are struggling to retain subscriptions and the community is generally in decline. I am not saying that WoW is going away any time soon, or that it is not huge, but I am saying that ESO should not follow WoW or SWTOR in this matter. I know WoW is struggling to retain subscriptions.

(Removed reference to SWTOR that was going elsewhere but had to run and just pressed Save)

[D IV]

Once you buy you can have access. Then could be forever or 2-3 months. If someone does not play then it also not imprtant for him to discuss game on forums.

Public reading - that is no problem.

[Ian White]

And neither of those games are struggling (if you call 10 years of being the king of the mountain struggling) because of forum access. Most players don't even use the forums.

[Steve Fallon]

I think this a pretty solid idea. Like Talaran mentioned, attaching a beta-key to a poster's account would prohibit them from returning should their account be banned from the forums.

Just be aware friends, that just because you're a subscriber, doesn't mean you're completely righteous yourself. There have been plenty of "devoted fans" that have carried themselves inappropriately while defending this game.

[Julie Ann]

In all the time I was a WoW player I don't remember ever posting anything on the official forums, I used it as a resource as I use most game forums. It's a source of information especially if you're undecided if you want to make the purchase or not.

[Alisha Clarke]

I agree, no posting unless you're a subscriber.

[Nadia Nad]

Past experience is indicative of future behavior, that would be unwise.

For reasons that I won't pretend to understand, people that choose not to continue playing a game need reinforcement from others in their decision. They'll spread disinformation, complain bitterly about everything, hoping to get someone else to agree.

It adds nothing to the discussion.

[Kieren Thomson]

If they make the forums Subscription only then how will I know when it is time to buy the game. After the last beta I have decided it is my best interest to wait till a few more bugs are worked out of the game before I spend $200 on it this year. I may go ahead and do the cheapo pre purchase and give them that first month to work the rest of the bugs out but that is why I am surfing the forums now is to see if there is any indication of the game actually being playable on release.

[Lady Shocka]

You would still be able to read the forums, just not post. You could search for whatever information you require to make your choice, as well.

[No Name]

I completely agree with that. Although i would prefer no forums at all to be honest.

[Mrs Pooh]

I completely agree that official forums should only be open to subscribers. If you don't pay, you don't get a say.

[Alan Cutler]

@Gerara No one's making you visit the forums.

[DeeD]

It will indeed be subscribers only. Already confirmed on the PTS forums. They'll go up just in time for early access.

[Wayne W]

I can't possible see why they wouldn't. Most sub games I played required a paid account to post.

I wouldn't worry about it.