I like the idea of not being locked into specific servers, especially since it will make it easier to find teams as we could choose the busier servers when logging in. I would especially like it if there were mildly different server rules. I want the different server rules to focus mostly on flavor and not be easily exploitable if server choice remains as-is. But I think it's most likely that server choice won't last into launch.
Server choice is a temporary convenience for the sake of testing, as are many aspects of the game currently. It will not be available at Release.
In fact, it will not be allowed in EA starting in Dec.
Hiya Counterfleche, long time no see.
An ideal solution would be to have distinct server groups (to foster a community) but allow multiple servers within each server group to spin up during peak hours. For instance, they could have a "Reignfall" server group that, during off-peak hours, has only the "Broken Maw" server up. But as the population picks up, they add "Syronai's Rest" and, when it's really busy, "Skargol". A character started in the "Reignfall" server group could pick any of these servers but would not be able to play on any of the "Whitethaw" server group's servers.
This would allow for a higher server population, which makes it still possible for those of use who aren't in a mega-guild or RL friends with 5 other Pantheon players to actually find teams outside peak hours. And it would still allow for distinct server communities to flourish. As is, Pantheon is trying to be group-oriented mmo but in addition to the standard challenge all mmos have, Pantheon will have additional factors that will further complicate finding groups: there will (eventually) be 9 different starting areas (so a widely spread out population) and no level-adjusting mechanism to allow players to group outside their level range.
I play MMOs to group up and go adventuring and most MMOs traditionally become very difficult to find a group in during non-peak hours (especially after the initial population spike dies off). Using server groups allows for better off-peak player count while still being able to handle on-peak demand, giving us the best of both worlds.
Jothany, I finally bought a new computer and was able to start playing, and you were the first person I saw in-game whose name I recognized. It's good to be back.