Same impact as the new 'you start with ~ 800k Sp' change, i'd put money on it go live.
My favorite "i've wasted 2 months of my life" thread was by a 2 month old char who had earned ~100mil, 8.0 cal navy faction, and 1.2 mil skill points, saying he'd quit as his time in game was pointless..... OR, 35mil+ SP vets 'demanding 800k sp'. Fuck OFF..... Both of you
imho The first couple of weeks probably put off so many 'casual' players where you can't even do a level 1 mission without getting your ass handed to you.
Making the start a little easier helps this, you then have the constraints of learning and understanding the universe, and earnig money, rather than havin to understand those, a skill system, remember to train stuff, find skill books, blah blah blah. The game's still not goin to be ridiculously easy to get your head around, adn alot of people will still leave within the free 14 days, but it gives 'players' a better go.
Thoguh the 800ksp thing lets you make a kick-arse Suicide-kestrel Alt....