I think you have to ignore cash shops in the context of this question.
If you are required to have a subscription to enter the game, then I think you should count it. So, even though WoW has a cash shop, you are still required to purchase a subscription to access the content (beyond the trial...).
As to the OP, I don't subscribe to any MMOs right now and there are none out at the moment that I would consider subscribing to. I personally prefer subscription MMOs, and actively avoid F2P MMOs. However, I feel the MMO genre has stagnated too much over the last 5 years and so no MMO out there offers me the feature set that I want. As soon as one does, I'll be there, subscribing and enjoying it (as long as it doesn't have a f2p option...).
The features I am looking for:
Good IP - purely subjective I know, but I hate all the generic fantasy crap thats out there.
Horizontal endgame gear progression
Objective-based world pvp (e.g. ettenmoors, WAR pvp zones)
Interesting class / combat design - no holy trinity! You can have tank/dps/heals if you want, but dont limit it to just those 3! Add in some support classes and make it more tactical, or do away with classes altogether.
Basically, I want the lovechild of LotRO and WAR! I want vanilla LotROs endgame progression (horizontal), LotROs class design and focus on community, but centred around an awesome PvP experience.
Currently Playing: WAR RoR - Spitt rr7X Black Orc | Scrotling rr6X Squig Herder | Scabrous rr4X Shaman
I sub to any game that I play, even if it's "f2p", because I believe in supporting the companies that make those games and not freeloading.
In the past year, I've subbed to the following games and would recommend any of them:
EVE
WoW
SWTOR
TSW
ESO
DAoC
They can adjust a game all day, but they can't help the issue between the keyboard and the chair. Played: UO, DAoC, AC, WoW, EVE, TR, WAR, Aion, Rift, SWTOR, GW2, TSW, ESO, Elite:D Play EVE for free for 21 days
There are more of course, theres a few Asian games, Lineage etc. that are still P2P as far as i am aware, and games like Archeage, whichever way you look at it, the 'sub' option is beginning to even dominate games that are ostensibly F2P.
Normally they charge you for other things like server transfers, have some other promotion items that you buy as part of other products/seperately, charge you for the boxes, have some kind of cross promotion, or do something clever as a way to get more money from you.
Even EvE has cosmetics now... The most 'sucessful' sandbox game where such a feature could have made outstanding sandbox content where they could have crossed different games within their one game(IE: requiring content from Anomoly/site/questing drops, crossing production and research, and whatever else)... Was wasted so they could lazily draw some extra cash in, in an uncreative way.
Very few of them actually but yes, they do
Im not sure EVE is a good example since the game is still sub-based and from what i can tell, they have no plan to go down the F2P path anytime soon, same goes for FFIVX
Comments
If you are required to have a subscription to enter the game, then I think you should count it. So, even though WoW has a cash shop, you are still required to purchase a subscription to access the content (beyond the trial...).
As to the OP, I don't subscribe to any MMOs right now and there are none out at the moment that I would consider subscribing to. I personally prefer subscription MMOs, and actively avoid F2P MMOs. However, I feel the MMO genre has stagnated too much over the last 5 years and so no MMO out there offers me the feature set that I want. As soon as one does, I'll be there, subscribing and enjoying it (as long as it doesn't have a f2p option...).
The features I am looking for:
Basically, I want the lovechild of LotRO and WAR! I want vanilla LotROs endgame progression (horizontal), LotROs class design and focus on community, but centred around an awesome PvP experience.
In the past year, I've subbed to the following games and would recommend any of them:
They can adjust a game all day, but they can't help the issue between the keyboard and the chair.
Played: UO, DAoC, AC, WoW, EVE, TR, WAR, Aion, Rift, SWTOR, GW2, TSW, ESO, Elite:D
Play EVE for free for 21 days
FFXIV:ARR
SW:TOR
WoW
FFXI
There are more of course, theres a few Asian games, Lineage etc. that are still P2P as far as i am aware, and games like Archeage, whichever way you look at it, the 'sub' option is beginning to even dominate games that are ostensibly F2P.
Oooooo, what's My Life? I wanna play!
Crazkanuk
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Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
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1 FFXI
2 FFXI
3 FFXI
4 FFXI
5 EQ2 or FFXIV they can share this spot,i will let them.
When another game comes along that can actually make the list of a top 5 ,i will let you in on the secret :P
Honorable mention goes to ROM for some cool ideas,all the rest of the games can get off my boat or be made to walk the plank.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
Very few of them actually but yes, they do
Im not sure EVE is a good example since the game is still sub-based and from what i can tell, they have no plan to go down the F2P path anytime soon, same goes for FFIVX