Free Realms is going through a similar rethinking of the Free model.

It was originally free to play several "classes" all the way to endgame with several "premium" classes that you could not even try out.

They have now (patch out yet?) switched to ALL classes are playable to level 5 but go premium only 5+.

I played Free Realms for several months and then subscribed. I would never have subscribed if it had the restriction they are moving to.

But I guess the old model had too much free content...