I know that there are probably more pressing issues to deal with at the moment, but I would still like to discuss the possibility of adding a Premium Feature to TFW.

The basic idea is something along the following lines: For X amount of money each month (say, $10), premium members would gain access to additional features in-game and on the forum.

One such feature could be that you would have access to all cards in the game. You would not own these cards per se, but you would be able to make decks and play against the AI. This would let you play-test cards (decks, strategies etc.) before buying those cards on the market. There could also be 'Premium Only' type of tournaments, where you would be allowed to use your premium cards. (It would, in a sense, be very much like the way the beta testing of Borderlands worked.)

Another feature could be that you gained access to some kind of saving feature, such that you could save games in a special format which could then be replayed by other premium members. (I know that The Battle for Wesnoth has this option, albeit for free)

A third feature could be that you gained access to a whole lot of more statistics regarding your games. Many interesting suggestions can be found: here

A fourth feature could be that you gained access to more features on the forum. Not entirely sure what people would like to see here, but badges, avatars, custom titles and other things could be of interest.

Those are just some ideas. I think the main thing to bear in mind should a Premium be introduced is that the game should still be Free to Play. So Premium features should only add 'spice' to the game, without thereby altering the way it works now.

EDIT: Are we not allowed to create polls?
EDIT 2: Polls work now. The first one is very crude, since it is not at clear what a Premium Service in the end will amount to. But as Atahualpa said in chat, let's get the ball rolling

I'm divided... I like the overall idea but I'm a bit apprehensive about paying for a subscription service. Now, if you were to pay $10, get what's on your list then throw an additional X packs together with it (more than 3? )... That would be a different story.

Edit: Try this, it's like a poll, somehow

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Looking for: Crumbling Alone (2)
Also looking for: Revenant Bishop, Osin Faith Healer, Pilgrim's Cairn, Avenging Angel (2)

Ata, yeah I like your idea of getting some cards or packs included in the subscription fee. Just need to find the right balance though.

As for that poll option... Yeah I saw it, but I am not so sure that I like it. Navigating away from the forum to read stuff that should be on the forum in the first place... Not ideal for me

Yeah I have been thinking this might be a good idea. I'm still on the fence about it though. You are saying that you couldn't battle other players with premium cards?

Yeah... Polls should really be enabled for everyone...

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Looking for: Crumbling Alone (2)
Also looking for: Revenant Bishop, Osin Faith Healer, Pilgrim's Cairn, Avenging Angel (2)

Well, I think it would not be good at all if non-premium members would have to battle against premium members in, say, the EC. At least that would not be good given the way things work now (with no subscription fees).

But I am not at all sure what the best way would be to implement premium cards. My ideas are, for the time being, just that: ideas

I have a question. With the amount of players actively playing tfw, how many would be willing to pay $10 a month? I think right now 5 (max) players would do this, then they'd just be using their premium cards against ai, which is basically like not playing at all. Basically I don't know if ,with the current player base, this would be worth jed's time in setting it up at all.

It might very well be that a Premium feature should not be a top priority. But that is probably a question of what goes into it. If it somehow could be made so that you got cards for a discounted price plus several other features, I, for one, would definitely be interested.

As a slight aside: it is often said that the best way to invest money if you are new to the game is by entering the domain league. But the experience there for a new player can be very negative, i.e., you lose all your games and chances are that you get crappy cards. What if a Premium in some form would be the best way to invest money? That would surely entice both new and old players!

I'm torn ,but I think that it's a bit pricy for a game like TFW to have $10 per month. For a poor guy like me though, I'd have to lean a bit towards no.

my suggestion:

premium subscription $10/month

in return get (one or more of below):

1) special phantom card (lasts 30days) it can be any card you want
2) 2 packs of odd only cards
3) 15% discount on buying packs
4) allow one to buy domain specific packs
5) special avatars for lobby