Runes of Magic US / AU

So, I was away for a little over a year about a month+ ago when I can back to Osha. I find the lack of players here and in other servers quite disturbing. What I find even more so is the fact that the idea of a server merger doesn't seem to have gained much steam for whatever reason. I'd like to know what information and options have been discussed regarding merging the servers down so that there is at least some activity on the game no matter what time you log on. I remember the days when I'd log on and feel like I was being trampled in Logar. Now I can pretty much go anywhere and the only people I run across are endgamers with ridiculously statted "no-lifer" gear and even then they are running pretty thin.

Having been a forum moderator/GM (of another MMO) in the past the benefits clearly outweigh the cons with regard to a merger of like-typed servers.

So why has this not been discussed much more openly???

Okay, so after seeing the first volley of rant I'd like to address some of the concerns.


First, Cheers to Soulvengeance for taking point like that. You are correct. If we don't persist in expressing as a community what we want we will end up with more of the same. It would be sad if the community just laid down it's arms so easily. Which unfortunately is what I'm seeing. WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT!

Second, To who or whomever said it was impossible, I should slap thee, with a big wet stinky fish! When Henry Ford said he was going to revolutionize the face of transportation with an assembly line technique. People said this was impossible. BZZZ, Wrong answer. Even other popular name brand MMO's have merged servers. So, there. It's impossible for it to be impossible. As for my fellow gamer Darwec, your name would not be changed. The server you were/are on becomes your "last name", which to us the players is invisible, but allows the game to discern a difference in associations. In a worst case scenario a space, not underscore, or even a unnoticeably different font and/or color could be attributed to unique accounts and the names displayed. Viola. The impossible doesn't seem sooo, now does it? (BTW, that's a rhetorical question)

Lastly, My two cents on a process:

1)Pick the highest population server(s) to merge into. Pick the lowest population servers to merge into them. (see step 3). Create DUMMY server.
2)Give fair warning it's going to happen. Believe it or not I don't think people would be upset as a whole. Might I suggest 60-90 days.
3)Begin the process of pruning dead accounts, but archive them to DUMMY server in case somebody returns and can prove account ownership.
3a)Assure Guild Assets are protected during pruning. If a guild is dead, it's dead, If it isn't default ownership to highest ranking member at day 30)
4)Start with the lowest population server, AFTER PRUNING, at day 30. Do 1 PvE and 1 PvP, Day 60 Start the other 2 in 2 30 day chunks.
5)Resolve trouble tickets ASAP FIFO, Hire a few people if you need to, your not going broke anytime soon, I've done the math.
6)Live happily ever after.