[DustyPorViva]

Era and Zodiac had the systems implemented before iOS servers and their marketing approach came along(at least as far as I remember).

The goal of said system should not be make the players feel forced to upgrade(by limiting them to only the starting area, or capping their hearts meaning they can't compete with other players), it should be to make them want to upgrade. Giving them ultimatums and a half-assed experience is only going to give them a half-assed opinion of the game. These limitations should make players feel as though they have a fair ground with paying players, yet make them want to either reward themselves, or reward the game, by paying for more.