When HTC made the Sept. 13th changes, I was one of those shaking his fist screaming mad that HTC broke the community. I posted in the Sticky two times; both were strongly against what was done.
I also posted away from the general public in the CM forum too. I was not happy. I did quite the rant.
Some time has passed, and to HTC credit, I "get" it now. What HTC is trying to do here really has a chance to work. It has the potential to change AHII back into what many of the "old timers" call "the good ole' days". I look at what HTC has done with the multi-arenas and see that he is shaping the game into something even better than what we had. He really does know what he's talking about, and he's in a position to see the "big picture", whereas we aren't. Have faith in him and what he is doing.
We, the community, need to try and help him out in this process. Gone are the days of the 700 player masses in the MA. They are gone. Quit complaining. That is the PAST. Get over it. Let's work on the here and now, and towards the future of this game.
I am putting out a request to the "leaders" in this game, and the community (squad CO's, old timers, etc,etc...). Or heck, the followers too I guess.
I would humbly ask that you do everything you can to help HTC with this new arena change. And the only way to do this is by example.
Sides imbalanced? Change sides. My squad has flown Knights for as long as I have played AH (5ish years now). I have formed many positive relationships on the Knights. The WidowMakers, at least if I have anything to say about it, will for the time being fly on whatever sides has the least players on it. (Yes, even Bishop [the horror... the horror....])
Now, I can't force my squad to change sides to help balance out the arena. Some of them won't. But I can do it. And hopefully they will follow my example and do so as well. Lead by example.
The game is moving forward. I am sure once the new arena's have balanced out in numbers, you will find that you can all fly together once more, on whatever side you want. Unfortunately that time is not now. We are in a transitional phase. Let's be part of the solution not the problem.
WE, the COMMUNITY, need to make this work. You DO NOT want HTC to step in and FORCE the sides to balance out, and that is exactly where this is going. Try to imagine logging in, and only being allowed to fly on the side with the lowest numbers, and you can't switch. That could very well happen if we as a COMMUNITY doesn't do something about it. Don't force HTC to step in and do a COAD fix for it. You won't like it.
This is our time to shine. Here. Now. Sure it might mean changing sides 3-4 times a day as the numbers fluctuate. You know what? That's ok. This is only temporary. Give it a try, you just might like it. Being a leader, or "known", or at the very least super vocal on chn200, (or heck, any player really) other players will see you doing it, and do it as well. The sides will balance out, and a much better time will be had by all.
To some this is asking a lot. Well, i'm asking it. We need to have faith that Dale knows what he's doing here, and we should be trying to HELP him make this a better game. Things will even out soon enough. Until then, let's all try to be part of the solution, not the problem.
So next time you log in, check the County Status, and if one side is horribly unbalanced, change to it. Not only that, if you have friends or squaddies on, asks them to go with you.
If I may, I would like to address FALCONWING here personally. I considered doing this in private, but it applies to any CO of a large squad.
FALCONWING and I are (I think anyway) on good terms, and I have much respect for him (and I hope that is reciprocated).
Brother, you have a chance at helping shape the future of this game. In an arena with 600 players, 60 are a lot, but not overwhelming. In an arena that holds 250 players, 60 players is a HUGE amount that CAN affect the gameplay of the other 190 players. I don't want you to forget the past (i.e. you history, your rules, all that). Far from it. But please consider instead focusing on what you might be able to do to make it a better future in the game for EVERYBODY in the game.
Because you are in charge of such a large group, it has ripple effects on a ton of players, intended or not. I hope you realize just how large a ripple effect on the player base you really have. I respect what you have created on the Bishops. I really do. The WM's tried 3 wings in AW and ended up disbanding it all and changing countries. (Thus the JB's and a few other squads that are now in AH were formed btw) Managing that many players is no easy task. Until everything balances out, please consider letting the BOP's change sides to even things up. It would only be on a temporary basis, and I don't think that is asking too much. If you do it, others will also. (*cough* there's that ripple I mentioned)
This only needs to be done on a short-term basis until all the arenas even out some. Balance will eventually be restored, and all you can settle in on one side again. This is a short-term inconvenience, which will have long term, long lasting results.
It would help, and I really would appreciate you considering it.
