Arkasaurio

That's fair. I really don't think they'll do anything different in game to push players one way or the other, mostly because trying to do two different things is much harder than trying to do one. Look at all the issues we have now because PvP and PvE don't have separate enough rule sets. Anyway, I truly hope it works out for you, different opinion and different game mode, but the more happy Ark players out there the better for all of us.

I was just expanding upon the band aid idea, it's a poor analogy altogether. Regardless, what was the better option, leave the servers as they are now, just let new players join? Open up transfers? Whether it's what you'd do, I think it's pretty obvious that leads to pillared everything in about the first day. Or did you want the wipe? I'm not saying it's the best option for you, and you're entitled to your opinion, but look at this thread, take into account the whole of everyone posting here. Do you really think more people would be happy with wipe or with open transfers? If it were just me, I'd say wipe it all, don't divide the player base, etc. but I give big kudos to WC because I think this is the option that's best for the most players and that allows them to keep their initial word while giving new players a fresh start. Where do the devs say legacy are inferior? Beyond that, here are some reasons maybe it's not as big of a problem as you think. 1. Newbies are going to get confused in the "super clear" game list UI and end up on legacy anyway. 2. People who've been waiting for release to buy will play with their legacy friends. 3. If salty vets move to the new servers just to grief new players, legacy might be more friendly. 4. Depending on launch success and whether people really do flock to new servers, legacy might be the only place with room. 5. People like you can continue to build your community on the legacy side. Recruit people to your sever, convince your friends to stay, do your part to make the legacy side be the place people want to be. However, if by your own omission the legacy servers are so inferior, why should they even exist in the first place? I'm not saying they are, but frankly I don't think any game mode that doesn't have the player base to support it should be officially supported. And I'll admit, that if there's a big a warning on release saying new players absolutely shouldn't play legacy because it's full of duping cheaters, then okay, this is a big slap in the face.

Yep, true, but duping has been a problem at some point in pretty much every competitive online game with gear since forever. They do have find a way stop it, and no it's not going to be perfect out of the gate. Is it better than years of compiled duped, exploited, or otherwise now unavailable stuff, absolutely. And besides, they kept their word on not wiping, maybe they will keep it about having everything cleaned up by launch . People will get griefed, people will always get griefed. Hey I'll probably engage in some light griefing (just a little friendly hazing) on launch. However, throw new players into the servers as they are now (or allow open transfers), it's way worse. Likewise, wipe all the servers and those vets are going to salt the new earth with their saltiness. There was no perfect solution for all parties here, but this absolutely seems like the best compromise.

More like a life saving tourniquet . This may not be your favorite solution but it's the best middle ground for the WHOLE Ark community. Any other option would have lead to lot more PO'ed people. I also have no idea why you're so sure you're server is going to die off. Maybe it's not the go to choice on day one for people who don't know anyone currently playing Ark, but there's a lot of folks who don't buy EA that are going to go play with their friends (who do buy EA) on legacy servers. Also, over time the difference should become a lot less pronounced, as legacy servers are getting all the updated code, eventually most of duped/glitched/etc. advantages will fade out. I really think a strong community move would be wiping very low population servers every quarter, no matter the game mode or cluster (not unofficial of course). Might encourage people to make their servers decent places to play. Or maybe you're right and overtime the whole player base moves to the new servers and legacy completely dies. All that means is there aren't enough people interested in playing there. If that vast of the majority of the player base doesn't care to play legacy it probably shouldn't even exist, but at least WC is letting the community vote with their feet (play time) rather than just wiping (or giving no new servers).

Great work WC! I've thought for a long time that legacy vs. new servers, exactly how you described, is the best way to go forward in the interest of all players. It's not just whether it's technically (technologically) the best course, it allows you to keep your word to EA players and give new, full release players (and EA'ers that want it), a totally fresh start. I've been wiped enough playing PvP, a wipe wouldn't have bothered me that all that much, and I for one will probably start fresh on launch. Still, I really think this is the best and most fair compromise for all players and all interests. *Hat Off*