Side switching, a new idea.

[Traveler]

It is superfluous because (were it not for the coding bug) I did switch to the low # side.

Unless all three country numbers are close, there is always a low number side.  That low number side will be that way for the hour (usually many hours) that it would take to change sides per the current code.  The numbers don't swing drastically in less than an hour.  As I said, superfluous.

My point was that under my proposed rules you would have been able to make the switch.

[The Grinch]

almost sounds like your waiting period was combinded between the two arenas.  I like that.  Wish it would go to several weeks, but I know that won't happen. So how about this.

when someone elects to switch sides the choice of whcih side they can go to is something that the system automatically performs.  The O club could be changed for side changing to just a push button.  Instead of selecting a side to switch to, the system just automatically puts the person on the side with the lowest numbers once they push the button.

When signing in a player could either select their default home country or just push a button to automatically be placed on the side of a country with the lowest number of players.  Each player would be able to select a default or home country and changing the home country would require a stay of at least several Months in that country.  If a player elects to change sides to help balance the sides that election is only for that session.  The next time the player signs in he is presented with a choice his default home country or by pushing a button the player is sent to the side with the lowest numbers.  Any player can push the button to select the lower numbered side at any time, with no restriction. But changing your home country has limits.

This limits spying to a degree.  it allows players to switch sides to promote balanced game play with no restrictions and it allows players that have never switched sides to always play for their home country.  Balanced game play could be defined when all sides are within 95% of each other.   

switching sides = Loose perks.