...you in effect, buy the company behind it. And to be frank, these people seem to take great joy in abusing their customers. The game really has AMAZING potential, I just don't think it will ever realize that potential with the current crew at the helm. The friends you make online might keep you playing tho (which is what happened to many of us). If you don't already have EQ, I wouldn't spend the money on this expansion... wait a few months for some of the other MMORPG's that are coming down the pike. Verant has left such a bad taste in my mouth, that I won't be buying the Star Wars MMORPG that Lucas has teamed with them to make. NEVER another Verant game... EVER.