Good Afternoon,
This is the Ragnarok Online Management Team.

We are happy to announce the opening of the free game server 'Baphomet' on May 14th, 2008.

Features of Baphomet Server

- An expanded kafra shop system.
- Premium game features (experience rate/increased storage/item related) different from the fixed monthly fees of existing game servers will be added.

Differences from Main Servers

- The base drop rate and experience rate is reduced by 50% from main servers.
- The amount of storage available by default is only 300 items.
- Some items that are dropped by monsters on existing servers will not be dropped.
- The pricing of items from NPCs is adjusted. Some items that were previously only available as monster drops are available from the NPC.
- The cost of refining items is modified.
- The cost of kafra shop items is increased slightly for the free game server.

We hope the free server attracts new and old players who were dissatisfied with the game due to monthly fees. We plan on having new game features exclusive to the Baphomet server in the future.

This is our first major change to our billing system since going pay to play in September 2002. We hope that the addition of our free game server will make the game more accessible so we can continue to build and improve Ragnarok Online.

We would like to thank you for your continued patronage.

My understanding of the free server system is that experience rate is reduced but optional subscription increases exp rate to normal (or beyond) regular servers.

Its the same pricing plan eRequiem is going to do, free to play, but multiple levels of subscription that increase leveling efficiency, item drops, and available items. By all means they could have servers where you are required to pay a monthly fee to pay (and can't play if your account is unpaid), but the key is that when the game is free and obtaining higher efficiency is optional, you attract the free game players but still make subscription revenue... its a win/win for them.

My understanding is that the base rate is lower, but it could be improved to 1x or higher with a paid subscription. The cost of subscription from the sounds of things will be cheaper than regular pay to play servers. I think its a fairly solid subscription system, and has the possibility to work well.

On kRO main servers, storage space is 600.