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STO (Star Trek Online) has their Tribble and Redshirt Servers, or whatever it's called where they can try new items and balance gameplay mechanics before putting it in the main game.
I think WOW has their test servers along with many others where people can be invited or be free to come and go as they please.
on that note, I think it would be beneficial to the game and community if PGI set up a special server(cluster) where ideas thrown about (like 3rd person or Coolant flushing) can be put into and TESTED ON without affecting the "main game".
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now hear me out, the test server WILL NOT EFFECT THE MAIN GAME SERVERS, there will not be any ELO, REWARDS, ETC. it'll be like the training/testing grounds with mechanics-in-testing. Combat items such as weapons, equiptment and modules do not cost anything but are non-transferable between the servers, and mechanics can be pulled in an out at the whim of PGI.
-people will be either invited to play in the testing grounds, or an open server
-people who do participate can add their thoughts and changes via some paperwork
-beta testers might get to walk away with a free item as a "thank you" from PGI
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this way if we DO find a mechanic that sucks, we have the evidence and results to prove it. If PGI still says it's a beta, they better treat it like such.
Edited by gavilatius, 08 March 2013 - 09:16 PM.
