If you are in the test group, you can only "deactivate" ads, when you have Forge Plus active.
Does this change mean that regardless of how much money you've spend on diamonds, the only way to get acces to the features like aid all without adds is through Forge+?
Assuming this to be the case, this is why it is in my opinion bad:
1.) FoE+ for €30 is too expensive for what it has to offer (minor bonuses, minor QoL improvement), as it stands €20 would still be outrageously expensive. For €10, maybe even €15 for at least 30 days, not 28 days, it could might be something reasonable to consider for what it is offering.
A solution could be daily optional adds, providing a small discount. Ultimately stacking up to a free subscription after 35-40 days.
2.) Those who have financially supporting FoE through diamonds purges where previously rewarded with an add-free experience. This could be encouraging the purges of diamonds, especially in addition to already decent "special" extras you sometimes can get of buying diamonds during events.
Though truth be told, after the fellowship event no extremely appealing event buildings appeared, imo. Sure the summer event does offer an decently interesting main building that can replace a stage of ages easily due to its superior productions, it's simple too expensive to chase after with real money in larger quantities. Imho something like the hero tavern or the craw's nest or even the governor's villa where appealing and reasonable worth enough as the deal they're offering is big enough to chase after with money for an additional one or a 3rd, 4th or even more.
3.) To further explain why FoE+ is a bad deal; its length is A too short and B there's no option like other subscriptions for a discounted longer subscription. Why it's too short with 28 days? Simple:
365 days (average year) / 12 months = 30,41+ days on average per month. So, imho FoE+ should be at least last 30-31 days, not 28 days. A discounted subscription for 3/6/12 months could be more appealing. Still for €30 for even 30 days for what it is, its too expensive. A better pricing would be €20 at most. Through discounts for 6 months subscription €15 / month (€90 straight up) and for 1 year €10/month (€120 straight up)
4) Just changing how you'll get a add-free experience by making FoE+ the exclusive way, doesn't magically fix the reasons why FoE+ is overall a
overpriced and bad deal for the package it is: too short and most importantly too expensive.
5.) Lastly imho anyone who's financially supporting the game should be granted a add-free experience. For example:
Up to €10 diamonds purges (1 month add-free)
€10-30 (3 months add-free)
€100> total in the last 12 months, 12 months add-free experience
Imho, if you're supporting FoE financially directly already, why should you be bothered by adds? As someone who likes to play in general f2p I think adds are fair but not when I've directly financially supported the game.
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Before FoE+ is flagged as off-topic, it's not cause the add-free experience might become a FoE+ exclusive feature according to the new tests, if my understanding is correct.
@Juber please correct me in this if I'm wrong.