Before the thread runs away I'd like to offer another point of view.
I think too many consider this a "them vs. us" issue. It really isn't.
Everybody has a stake in what happens and has an interest in the survival of the game.
A lot of players have made an investment, whether in time, money, effort or all of the above. They naturally want to know that the future of that investment is secure and that they haven't wasted all of their resources for nothing.
The Shaiya staff has an interest since this is how they make their living. Besides satisfying their natural need for fun and human involvement, it pays the bills. It allows them to support themselves and their families.
AGE has an interest since this is a product that they offer on the market and they win by continuing to offer a good product, while at the same time, building and maintaining a good reputation within the gaming community.
Any attempt at a solution must take all of the groups involved into consideration. If the needs of any of the groups is abandoned or neglected then it's a losing situation for all in the long run.
If you hope to create a win/win/win scenario then you have to take a few minutes and make every effort to see things from the other points of view. Only then will you be able to work towards a solution that works.
Argument may illustrate your passion about an issue, but it very rarely, if ever, provides a solution to a problem.
