I can see Empires becoming dead really quickly, since we hardly have even 1/100 of the following Garry's Mod did when it became pay-to-play. As a result, the only reason strangers to the modification would come to play it is via Valve free weekends... which Empires probably isn't known enough for to actually lure in a crowd. Also, I'm not playing enough to actually consider buying it at this point, what about other M.I.A. veterans? The steep learning curve probably will scare the average 13 year-old away from purchasing it anyhow. I'm wishing the team the best though, and maybe I'll buy it one day if this is the course of action. :v
This is great news for the developers, they finally get to feel the real deal. Unfortunately we are going to have to play for the game... I do like the sounds of 64 player (hopefully lag free), aircraft and detailed maps. Maybe redo the vehicle skin (camo). I know I'm going to buy the final product.
You are forgetting that you will only have to buy it when aircraft is introduced. Remember the prophecy, 'Empires will never have aircraft. Stop considering it.' Thus, with epic powers of deduction, empires will always be free.
We'd need multiple voice channels. Otherwise, no one would be able to hear about the bridge going down. Scratch that, yes they would
Congrats to the Devs, you guys deserve to get paid for your efforts. $10 (or whatever that is in pounds since I'm not american) is fuck all, RE5 cost me £40 (~$50) and I'm getting bored of that very quickly. Now get to work guys making 3.0 =]
