I love this game too, this is why I started this topic at first place. My eyes are wide open and I would promote supporting NCSOFT IF THEY MANAGED TO SHOW INTEREST AND ANY WILL TO CHANGE/UPDATE whatsoever.
I have been playing here for months, I progress slowly, I buy prestige etc. My only problem is that if I didn't spend money I would have quit because I could not progress as a NEW player. Even after I spent money the game is asking me more because I cannot level up without certain gear and expectations from others. And the worst part - sure spending few hundreds of USD as a new player helps you a lot but IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH to do ANYTHING in this game that matters without further thousands of dollars "investment".
Long story short, the game is so incredibly and unrealistically NOT suited for NEW players which is kinda depressing. I started playing with my friends and they all quit because they cannot afford "minimum gear to progress" and there is almost ZERO chance to be able to make any Adena, won't even mention AFFORDING it with Adena without $$$$ in game especially after latest IoS nerf.