For anyone else that may be interested, the game will be free to play at launch. The founders packs you can buy now will go away, they just give quality of life improvements (in-game store currency, character slots, costumes, name reservation), and it also gives you a jumpstart with premium points. As you get more points, getting a paid subscription gives you more and more benefits: http://www.bladeandsoul.com/uk/news/premium-membership/

There will be no content gating for the free to play people (as of now).

Fun Fact - Names are region unique, so if you get a name you will be the only one in your region with it (NA or UK)