On the two main English EU servers I am noticing a growing number of new players, as evidenced by the glut of 'noob' questions in the /advice channel. Post 1.3.2, very few of these have been technical/performance related questions.

In my experience - and the experience of my guildmates and randoms I chat to - the game runs much, much smoother now, and is probably somewhere around where it should have been for launch. My wife played, quit because of the bugginess, but has happily resubbed and is enjoying both the live event (creepy masks and football!!!) and the re-designed starting zone. PVE is actually viable, not to mention much more enjoyable, now, while the new player RVR experience has gone from strength to strength.

I know people are talking about 'dilution' with the starter zone changes, but the RVR in tier 1 is now pretty much 24 hour, with scenario pops (one of the game's real bugbears) occurring regularly till the wee small hours.

Once endgame is revamped, and if EA gives Mythic another year, WAR stands a fighting chance of undoing some of the PR damage the last 12 months have seen.

As for F2P, I find that unlikely, as the Warhammer IP costs a lot to maintain, though I'm sure a nice, fat expansion on top of the recent and coming bug fixes would help boost those lost subs.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must take off my Fanboy costume and become plain old me for the day...