petition for 8 character slots per test server

Hartman

Hi everyone,

I would like to petition Intrepid to provide us with 8 character slots per server on the testing realms going forward.

Advantages would include:
.) Ability to test and provide feedback every base class within the same community of players without having to delete any characters
.) Ability to test more artisan professions to GM level (this will become more relevant once the level caps are increased)
.) Ability to faster form/join/complement a group that needs a specific character archetype given a broader range of alt characters
.) If future wipes can be avoided (Intrepid indicated they would like to avoid future wipes in the upcoming test phases unless bugs/exploits absolutely necessitate it) then a wider developed character population basis would be available for eventually testing subclasses once they get introduced

Disadvantages I can think of that can be mitigated:
.) The character loading screen may need rework to provide space for 8 instead of 5 animated characters around the portal - to me that screen is a nice-to-have, for now I would also be perfectly content with just selecting my character from a textbox.
.) More storage space required in the character database - given Alpha is testing scalability and performance at the moment this may be a good opportunity to test the waters pre-launch in years to come.
.) Diminished money-making opportunity for Intrepid by giving away character slots that other developers in the past have charged real money for to unlock - my petition is only for the testing realms, whatever commercial model Intrepid wants to implement come go-live on live servers is not impacted by this.

Please give this a friendly bump/thumbs up if you agree and/or comment if I have missed something.

daveywavey