Credits
I want to thank, first and foremost, the following for their input and advice:
Iblis, Probe/Purge, United/Balor, Tainted Auger, Kitty, and ~Lyra~ all were driving forces in the pre-forum, skype chat stage of this FR request.
Wlerin, Ferdoc, Sheldon, Desmond Cheese, and others all have contributed as well and should be recognized.
Concept
To create an AE servercerse that is completely balanced and fair to all players, regardless of cluster positioning. In effect, a truly balanced server.
This will be done by creating a new serververs. At its core, this will remove the strategtic advantage of the 00s and 50s (L to present) clusters that provide for the most security and best TRs. By creating a circular serververse every cluster will face invasion from both sides, as well as give the best TRs from multiple sides. This will lead to an increase in tactical planning as well as the diminishment of the lowers as the 'Pros' cluster. Each cluster will be equal in terms of AE.
Key Points
1- Once the server is created, no new clusters will be added. As such, a potential 'per-registration' would be highly encouraged to allow the admins to predict the interest in the upcoming server.
2- This change would ONLY take place on new servers. No current server would be affected by this update in serververse mechanics. I know this is a major deviation from the norm, but with how deep this concept goes I believe it not only makes sense but is all but required in order to make the concept work.
3- All galaxies would, ideally, be opened at the same time. IE, no more streamline. Each galaxy would have the same 'born on date', allowing for a truly balanced server start.
Serververse Map
Thus, the server would become circular with clusters 'touching' each other via the shortest possible path.
This would create, in theory:
- A server that is 'fair' in theory. IE, every cluster starts at the same time and has the same benefits/negatives
- A chance for AE to run a 'REAL' pre-server registration to gauge interest/decide how many clusters are created
- Create more inter-cluster movement in the ~4 week to 28 week block, before WHs open by allowing clusters to be invaded from multiple sides/new clusters
- Increase the TR profitability for 'most' galaxies, with the 00 and 59 (recent server limits) being diminished.
Tactical Change
In essence, this would create a whole new way to approach AE tactically. For example, no longer would the 00s be consider the 'Pro Zone'. As each cluster has the same benefits and consequences, pre-server politics would become even more important. Beyond that, early server ability/skill/numbers would be hugely important, as locking down one's galaxies would play a much greater role in a guild's ability to become a power on the server. We could see much more pre-server politicking, which, while not a 'true' aspect of AE, has become one. And, beyond that, we could see a wider dispersal of the 'Pro' guilds on a server, leaving more space for newer players to grow.
Presentation
In my view, this concept could be presented in game via an addition to the 'Tables' tab titled 'Serververse' or something along those lines, with a pictorial adaption of what the server looks like in terms of transit as well as a numerical explanation of how it exisits.
