We got the reasons why they consider changing it:
1. They have bugs with the current system
2. Players are "confused" and using petitions
If you have bugs + confused players, you are not able to tell if something is a bug or just user failure.
If you can't have a stable system you can't enforce that the players "using" it. It does not even matter what the system consists of.
Let's say it clearly: They want change it because the current bugs are overhelming support.
I wonder if the people who implemented some of the software are still around. To me it looks very much like getting the "complicated" stuff out in the hope to fix some bugs in the software nobody understands anymore. (Btw... I am software developer for 15 years).
Just count the posts by "Farseeker" and you know why you can't avoid the change!
It is not enough for them to "say" once what they think. They want to change the world to their believes... in MMO you can! They can!
Look at an US Fastfood Coffee-Cup ... "you may hurt yourself drinking hot coffee" ... doh!
The others have to live with that. Thats not cool... but probably it is the only way to get stuff "in order". But I doubt that this will be the case.
Many People have just to few knowlege about the game mechanics. I frequently find people asking questing which are explained by the text boxes. Even MOTD is not read... and so on. Consider what they do on /petition?
I wished that would change.. but it never will!
I would remove "/petition" on the live server... let people ask other people for help.
Make "/bug" only available to selected people. Maybe call them "Live Guards" and list them in /who as "special" people.
Even when the bugs are fixed you get the "My Items are stolen" message from Chars... you look at lvl and see 7 .. AH
I experienced a lot of players to not even know what classes may res you (can't shaman res? ... question of a lvl 20).
Solo players... stand beside you and let you die... They even won't res you until asked.
So... do I like the change? HELL NO!
Do I think it is needed to change? Yes .. if above said is true!
But I tell you something... you destroy "your" vision... and drive a lot of people away..
I was starting to feel home... and know I think about other options already. I even think about stop playing such games. It is always the same... the stuff gets easy to please the masses. I guess that is unavoidable...
About "why do you ask if you change it anyway" ... well at least they asked ... feel guilty SIGIL!
- Eloy (aka Hans)