We, the undersigned, are declaring our intention to leave the game should plans to monetize the first migration come to pass.

The kind of game AOEM is requires migrations fundamentally. New servers are opened weekly, and new players are funneled into those servers (both automatically, and logically). Therefore older servers have precisely ZERO influx of new players to replace those that quit, and as with any game.. the vast majority of players quit, it's inherent.

The first migration being free is not only essential to the playerbase, but essential to the game itself. The core of the playerbase is either free-to-play, or low spenders. By choice or circumstance, doesn't matter - we play for the communities we form as much as for the content in the game. Forcibly chaining players to a server that is expiring just means those players leave. Less people playing, less community bonds, and less exciting content - the spenders WILL follow. This isn't hyperbole, or speculation, it's very basic logic and demonstrable fact from the industry as a whole.

Simply, the game by DESIGN needs migration. The players need migration, and the developers need migration. Pay-walling it is inane, and killing your own product (and therfore income).

The first migration MUST be free, and if the financial decision thereafter is to monetize subsequent migration events then fine. But the first MUST be free, and is in the interests of every single stakeholder.

We, the undersigned, will leave the game if this isn't made the case.

Thank you.