So there are a handful of servers (the one I am on is a part of this) that are just pretty hard to find groups for things. It takes hours to find a group for mutations and OPR only happens during peak hours. The server isn’t dead, but it definitely could benefit from a handful of players coming in. I am sure my server is not the only one that is experiencing this with fresh start due to how they limited the player count on fresh start and the obvious falloff of players that would happen.
I 100% agree with their decision to not allow transfers to and from fresh start servers as a MAJOR part of the fresh start game is the economy and territory control and that is completely destroyed the moment you open transfers up. I do think that there would be a massive benefit of merging fresh start servers with under 1200 players at peak to turn 2 lower population serves into 1 very healthy and active server. I know this is just another forum post, but if you are experiencing this with your fresh start server, please comment or upvote for visibility so the devs know we need to maintain a healthy server population. Once a server drops below 1000 players at peak, it is a domino effect of players leaving because the most fun parts of the game are too difficult to get enough players for.
Unfortunately this gets really complicated because there are FSS that would not want to be merged with other FSS. For instance they did not push the changes to prevent mega companies from owning a whole server. Some FSS are owned by an entire company while others have been able to with together as a community to maintain a healthy server balance. These two servers would not want to be merged. The same goes if you know that you will be merged with a server that has a highly competitive company owning the entire server. They would need to have it so the players agree on this decision. Which really cannot be realistically done so FSS end up not being able to be merged with each other.
It’s unfortunate but it’s the FSS problem that essentially limits allowing FSS to FSS transfers and merges. They cannot allow transfers from the main servers into FSS either which could heavily impact the economy. So the only direction that makes sense is from FSS into the main servers. Which is the only thing they have confirmed in the FAQ. As of right now they do not plan to merge FSS or allow transfers between them.
My guess is that FSS really will act as a way for players to get a fresh experience with similarly leveled players (for those that were intimidated by playing with a server full of max level players, which I know I would choose a FSS in that situation). Then when they have caught up to the main servers then some players will choose to transfer into main servers and some may choose to stick around.
What complicates this even more is that they then need to consider locking new player creation after x months, as they no longer are fresh start experiences for new players. That or perhaps consider a warning? Considering these servers would not have cross server queues and all that to prevent any players with 625 BIS gear messing up their OPRS/mutation runs. The warning would be there so players are not stuck having to buy a $15 transfer token in the future because they want to participate in cross server queues and all that.
Then in the future for people that want a FSS experience, they can get in on the next round of FSS next year or whatever they decide to do the next round. Since they are a great option to get new players into the game. Alongside catch-up mechanics and all that of course.
I think it ultimately boils down to how many people would prefer to be merged vs not merged. I am a part of a server that has a very healthy faction balance, but pop is lower (myrddin). I am the governor of a territory there and involved in the war/territory side of the game heavily. Even I, who would be most impacted by moving to a higher population server and potentially losing my territory to a mega company, am game for a server merge. You have to keep in mind that 90% of the playerbase of this game doesn’t truly care about the faction balance or war scene of the game. As long as there is an active amount of people for OPR, mutations, etc, you will make far more than half of the population happy with the server they are on. Yes, there will be a few people who will be upset that transfers happen, but you can’t appease 10% of the population at the expense of 90%.
I don’t think you can assume that 90% are on board because for all we know it could be the opposite and we are appeasing the 10% at the expense of the 90%. Not saying you are wrong, but you see what I mean? I’ve met some strictly PVE players with some strong opinions. I also think FSS really complicate things because many players are on them not for the fresh start leveling experience and more because they perceive that main servers are tainted by the bugs/exploits. This makes balancing the economies very delicate and why they do not currently allow FSS to FSS server merges nor transfers between FSS.
I do think they may jump in at about 500/2500 population as that is typically when a server starts to stop functioning. Although it’s more like 350 historically as ~500 servers actually function pretty well in some regards. At 350 a server often can no longer complete invasions and keep their tables upgraded to max level. This might be worse now with the new territory changes as gaps can create a pretty significant server gold sink. So I imagine they will consider the options then.
It’s tough though because historically we see people begging for merges and ridicule AGS for not doing them, then they ridicule them later for doing merges. One of those damned if they do and damned if they don’t kinda situations.