Yes it's P2W, but that's how ArcheAge is designed (actually that's how all MMO's these days are designed). But there's a difference.
In official ArcheAge the demand for Apex was never ending, because you needed it to pay for all your patron accounts. But here, patron is free. So the only reason you need credits is to buy things like Expansion Scrolls and Regrade Charms. The demand isn't as high.
Once you have everything you need, there's no reason to keep spending.
In the official server you
had to spend X amount each month to keep your patron, or you lost everything. Here, it's much more relaxed. You only spend what you want to, when you want to.
Krowley is right, you can make a lot of gold in this server (it's 2.9 remember, the 'Golden Age' of ArcheAge). So I haven't had to spend any real life money at all yet, I've bought all my credits with in game gold.
With that said, once donations are working again (there's a problem at the moment) I'm going to throw some money their way. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Unlike Trion, the team here have generated such goodwill that I actually want to support them.
But don't let the P2W scare you off. To compete in ArcheAge you had to spend hundreds (sometimes thousands for the truly sad). But you won't have to do that here.
Sure "Mr Whale" can spend a few hundred and have all the best gear sooner than you. But in this server, you'll soon catch up. Actually, if you're willing to put in the time and effort, I think a few F2P players might make "Mr Whale" look like a fool in a few months.
But a big welcome to ArcheRage
. The best MMO in the world!