Assuming people agree with the idea to implement some sort of explicit testing phase to ensure the team designations are solid, we can start talking about specifics. I will propose solutions to several issues related to a testing phase, and others can critique them and add additional solutions/problems.
1. How to get people to seriously play if there characters may not be permanent?
If you could, after the testing phase, merge characters to p99 or r99, perhaps it would be worth it, especially if an exp bonus is present. Personally, I would like to see characters merged to p99 (or perhaps a choice for r99/p99). I believe that this would get some people on p99 to try out pvp, especially if they wanted to level an alt. Furthermore, it gives a wider perspective to testing than just our r99 community. While I love the r99 community, I am hoping it will expand.
I do not know how this would be received by the admins or the p99 community. I like the idea, even if character transfers from the testing phase to p99 did not include items or money.
2. How long does the testing phase need to be?
I think 3 months is enough to figure some things out that made r99 rough initially, but I am not sure if it helps us figure out any meaningful raid concerns. Similarly, I don't know if figuring out raid problems is something we can even consider solving with a testing phase.
3. How do exp bonuses, if any, need to be applied to the testing phase?
The main issue for exp bonuses during testing is if they are too fast we don't realistically test mid level pvp. If they are too slow we don't test high level content. I like the idea of a similar exp bonus that is currently on red for the first month or so of testing. Then, we increase the exp bonus (maybe double it) for people above level 30 or 40 or something for the rest of testing. This way, we get people grinding/pvping to get to a certain level for the big bost. It encourages play up front so we dont speed through the mid levels while also testing higher levels more quickly.
I like this proposal because it removes artificial leveling, gives people an incentive to play the testing phase, and provides a relatively useful arena to see of our teams decision works. I'd be open to other thoughts though too.
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