I'm writing this because you brought it up.... but it is a bit off topic... You say your colleagues have concerns because EoC is so daunting.. In other games, yes, it would be an unfair advantage... This is mainly because most of the time they have no level bands as far as PvP goes, and yes, I have quit many because the highest levels prey on new players, discouraging them, and even preventing them, from making progress.
That's not really an issue here, if you think about it. Your only competition is yourself, and possibly a gold thief here or there in your own level range. Most, if not all older higher level players are more than happy to help that new player develop, and I've seen more than 1 hit level 100 the first week with a little guidance.
My question is this... Why do we need a standalone, or a restart? I certainly don't want to have to leave behind 11 years of investment and development to start over on an app that's supposed to be designed for people like me, the 100% mobile player with no PC, just a cell phone with all the limitations that entails.....
Please, let your friends, colleagues, or whatever know that FS is different, the game is just as engaging at lower levels as at EoC, the players at EoC are really not a threat, but rather an advantage and a valuable resource......
My apologies, BG, and Grendel, returning back to the previously designated topic.