I just started playing because of the 14-day trial offer. 3 days into the trial, I hit the level and influence limits. I was already frustrated by the supergroup and architect limitations. I don't feel that the trial limitations allowed me to actually evaluate the game. What I saw showed enough promise that I bought a copy of the game so I could actually find out if I liked it enough to subscribe. On the other hand, I was irrtated enough by the limitations of the trial that I made the concious decision not to buy from the NCSoft website so that they would not receive the full amount of the sale. Further, the lingering ill will from the nature of the trial makes it less likely that I will continue my subscription past the first month.
Several of the limitations appear to be aimed more at preventing existing players from using trial accounts to farm influence and prestige while allowing their main accounts to remain inactive than at stopping the RMTs. The solution isn't to limit gameplay on trial accounts, it's to prevent abuse of trial accounts.
There are alternative limitations that could be put in place to prevent abuse of trial accounts without alienating new players. Instead of not allowing trial accounts to join supergroups, prevent trial accounts from earning prestige. Instead of limiting influence, levels or access to the architect, limit the trade window and the auction house.
It really doesn't matter how much influence a trial accont earns if they can't give it to anyone.
