Some of us are still wondering why we can't get into an areana that is hundreds away from affecting gameplay(according to your magical 500#). So, why keep those 97 outta Orange? that would = ZERO, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH complaints.
I truly do not understand why you are still claiming to wonder why the system is as it is, it has been explained multiple times by many people in this thread, I am starting to assume you do not WISH to understand.
So let us begin with the true facts, there is an optimal number that makes game play the best for aces high.
This number is above 50 and below 500. We can argue where that number is exactly, but it is irrelevant because we have more people playing aces high at the same time then the upper bounds of this number.
When we split arenas, we had gone far above this number to the extent, AH had stopped growing. So some method was needed to start a 2nd arena. The simple method as you propose was tried first. We set both arenas to have a static cap, but 1 arena will fill , before people would start populating the 2nd arena, and the cries were deafening to change something.
The reason we have the floating limits, is simply because it is the quickest way to reach critical mass of the 2nd arena.
The time we chose to do the population , is when the population is growing the quickest , this is to minimize the low number time in the 2nd arena.
So now, if you do not understand , ask a question. If you understand, but do not believe the facts, I do not wish to hear it, because we have facts, you only have guesses.
If you have a NEW idea that has been not tried before please post it and I would be happy to discuss it.
If you wish to hide your wanting a bigger arena with ideas like letting people into a full arena to balance the idea, do not expect a response from me.