Vegasian wrote:that is what we call a ripp off
Yes, because they don't have to pay developers, programmers, graphic artists, story writers, GMs, forum mods and admins, server hardware, server bandwidth and such, testers, etc. There isn't just a room with one or two people, there are serveral hundred of not a thousand people who went into the development of the game, and the amount of people they have to pay to maintain the game is where the bulk of your money goes.
In "free" games like silkroad, you just play. If you have a problem, you whine. In WoW you're paying people to serve you when you have a problem, and to be prompt about bug and exploits. If you were paying for silkroad the 1* popping issue would of been resolved almost right away (assuming it has been already).
Let's not forget - the monthly fee also (for the most part) gets rid of botters, kiddies and turks (and people of the like).
-retired