I am playing ArcheRage because:
1. I enjoy this version of the game leagues beyond the current retail patch...and I understand that later patches will be modified to address community concerns similar to some of the tweaks in this version. 3.0 brought both good and bad to the table (it'd be nice if we just get the good)...and I hope we never get 3.5...
2. Only a single account is allowed - I feel like the impact this has on the economy (and my sanity - I used to run many accounts to try to stay competitive) has made things a bit more "how they should be", and the game overall feels like less of a chore. Of course - the increased labor and production rates fall in line with this, and it's appreciated, as I also am seldom bored with a single account during long play sessions.
3. Single Server - Retail has way too many servers. Initially this wasn't a huge concern, over time as people started leaving - land - and things farmed on land - lost their relative value quite quickly. Also, segmenting the playbase is a terrible thing - made very evident by server transfers. A healthy server has a mix of all types of players, which is part of the dynamic of the game.
4. The obvious difference in monetization- Archeage is an eastern MMO that is very cash shop heavy, this is undeniable. From the player perspective - free patron leaves F2Pers not feeling the squeeze of trying to get that next month of patron every month and THEN they can profit - and it leaves moderate spenders (like myself) feeling like I get a lot more bang for my buck when I do look to pick up a few cash shop items (when donations were up - of course).
Overall, thank you for hosting this private server, and thank you for your policy choices that have positively impacted the gameplay experience for me at least.