I think attracting more people to F2P Orks is a good thing, but honestly encouraging people to maintain F2P Orks in and of itself seems backwards from a business perspective. As a business, surely Behaviour is actually going to want them to subscribe etc.

What I think they should do in that case is to let those people keep their F2P Orks but extend their options. Perhaps the only difference between Nobs and F2P Orks is the amount of wargear on offer, but imo that isn't too problematic, as long as they maintain the same level of 'fun,' or perhaps it's promotion opportunities, whatever. Paying Ork players presumably get access to more exotic characters as well; Painboyz, Warpheadz, Weirdboyz, etc.

This far out, I don't think there's necessarily a problem to fix. Census data from these boards or other boards about a so called 'racial bias' that cover EC can hardly form a snapshot of the playerbase (on the account that we're all fans of the universe. We have to be to some extent, it's why we're here like a year or two early) at launch.

If Slugga or Shoota Orks (F2p?) in general are a fun race to play with fun loadouts, then honestly I think the problem will largely fix itself.

Every player f2p or paid, wants to look good and have fun. Making f2p a 'plain jane' looking style will push players away. In game 'cost' might be higher for f2p, but access to looking good should be available for f2p. A 'buddy' or Mob boy system, whereby f2p (or anyone really) can partner up with more experienced players who have the option to 'tag' themselves as a mentor (allowing access to mentor 'points' ) could promote paid and more experienced players to teach the f2p (or anyone) how to play. The trainee gets better (xp) and the trainer gets access to fluff 'Sergeant' titles, in game 'whistles' (to signal the attack) etc.

Seems like we agree on the mentor system
If they make it, it should be available to every faction (I hope I remembered to state that in my earlier post).

Yes fun loadouts, fun race to play. Its very important to encourage ppl to stay, retention is very important in f2p games (yes this isnt f2p... bare with me ^^), to encourage ppl to stay with the game could be the difference of having 100k or 1mil f2swagers, thats 100k-1mil potential customers. Sooner or later ppl spend some cash on the game. If you dont keep em its certain that there no longer a potential customer. They could be waiting for something cool till the shopping nerv is triggered, or just await the right time, like theyve played for 6months and just got some extra cash in the pay check, that could be the moment they start spending. But it probably works better if theyre in the game, playing, more of a potential customer. They need love just as much as everyone else, but those accualy bought the game got some extra features.

.....

Fun factor is the only key IMO... if Orcs are fun I'll end up paying money to pimp out my orc, even if I can then open up the other factions.

Yes, players can volunteer to be a Drill Boss at at Ork Boot Kamps on the home continent. They can take the the Yoofz (Ork for youths, younger Orks) through some equipment, have em learn to fight beating the shit out of each other, and then taking them bye plane to land in the heart of a battle, be it against 'Nids or players.

The Boot Kamp enrolment is optional for Yoofz when they complete a basic tutorial for the game. It'd be cool to have them start by crawling out of a their spore under the drops, and have a grot dung-shoveler direct them out, telling them not to look up lest they cop a face full. Then have learn how to run and roll after they stumble into a pen of an angry Squiggoth, from here, they can go and "armour up" under the instruction of a Mek, who can give them a run through of how to use the load out menu and stuff, as well as tossing them some shiny weapons and some armour and clothes (basically have the player run around with his ass cheeks showing from the moment he crawls from the ground, as any Yoof would).

They can then exit the shop, with the Mek letting the player knows I give the Grot Oilers a whack if they get in his way (promoting the player to swing his choppa at some nearby grotz. They can then be taught how to use the charge hit to bash a broken door down, and shown how to shoot a face-biter squig that's gaurding the hallway, or perhaps even a weapons crate, for extra rewards. At this point they would exit the building and finish the tutorial. The Boot Kamp would be visible nearby, but of course, completely optional.

Something like this, to introduce Ork culture, humour, and the basic game mechanics, would be great for new players, and indeed the all the factions to have something similar.

A few of you have mentioned it, and its a very good point. Hooking the players doesn't just mean we want them to hang on as FTW. It would also be nice if they bought the full game. Even if it means they get lost to another faction.

We want these folks to enjoy the game, and fall in love with 40k like most of us have. So any ideas that make for a fun, inclusive, and informative new player experience could really help EC take off.

Actually they don't need free players to become paying ones because they said the game free after the $40 all they need is players to buy cosmetic stuff

This about sums up why I love the Orkz they don't give a crap if there is 10000000 Imperial Guards or 1000 Space Marines supported by Dreadnoughts and Predators they'll just look at it and just scream "WAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH" and charge with billions of orkz and if one dies it is replaced by a ton more. So I agree the rp aspect with the player "Talkin like propa orkz tat be fightin ova some extra teef 'nd just for ta stompin" this will make it much more interesting compared too the other factions.

I also agree with the Mentor-Students thing but for Orkz it has too be Boss and Boyz that would be learning from the Boss to do a proper stomping