If you are planning to do subscription payment, then I think you should do something like this.
Make some limited, basic form of play be free. That way, there are always people to play with. Maybe not let freebies advance their character beyond a low level or something. And have a beginner area they cannot leave. But, allow people who do play to play with the freebies to an extent, that way there is always someone to play against for the people who are paying.
Then have more advancement for people who pay.
I myself am very weary about subscription stuff. So I tend to just stay away from it when I see that I will be billed monthly. But, if you have a free play portion, then you may be able to get people hooked. And entice them with that whole "I could get better if I just payed $8 a month" thing.
Now mind you, not just a trial that lets them play for 5 hours then cuts them off. But a "play as much as you want, but you can't advance beyond this point".
Make some limited, basic form of play be free. That way, there are always people to play with. Maybe not let freebies advance their character beyond a low level or something. And have a beginner area they cannot leave. But, allow people who do play to play with the freebies to an extent, that way there is always someone to play against for the people who are paying.
Then have more advancement for people who pay.
I myself am very weary about subscription stuff. So I tend to just stay away from it when I see that I will be billed monthly. But, if you have a free play portion, then you may be able to get people hooked. And entice them with that whole "I could get better if I just payed $8 a month" thing.
Now mind you, not just a trial that lets them play for 5 hours then cuts them off. But a "play as much as you want, but you can't advance beyond this point".