As a completely new player, who's been hopping around factions, wikis, and stories and what not trying to find a place in this (to me new) world of Discovery, I am actually GLAD to read this story.
Gallia seemed far too isolated to even be considered a valid faction, aside of being able to accumalate quite undisturbed (as a player, but they did it in the story too, how fitting). My friends and me feared Gallia would be far too dull for both PvP and RP. Now with them pushing out of their isolation, as well as gaining both positive and negative relationships with the world beyond their isolation, there finally is some interest and life to Gallia. System-wise it seems horribly brutal, but to justify the change of position by its neighbouring factions (Kusari and IMG), some powerplay truely was needed. Gallia doesn't just claim new space, they also open up to trading with several factions.
On the Brittonian end, having a new enemy would be a nice from the old Kusari. With the change of Kusari government, they do not gain an enemy, they just replace one, as the agreement they have, as well as Gallia as buffer in between, effectively ends that war. The backdrop of America and England being the main boogymen in the Rhea-excuse, would certainly have them band together. But we'll see about those details as the story unfolds. That said, to a new player the Brits were the least attractive since they're just so damn ugly. (sorry, the ships I mean)
As a dev on previous servers (NWN *nodnod*) I can never cease to be amazed how well-considered plans and stories to change, fix and rebalance things always get shot down by angry players clinging to what they think is 'theirs', not wanting to care one bit about the bigger picture. For example, I once added 100 new spells and nerfed 1 over-used expansion spell in NWN... The DM-team fell apart because one person loved 'his' spell', even being the catalyst to eventually the whole server going down.
It amazes me, since the developers invest a lot of time into a product they hardly make money on, if any. A proper developer can earn 30-70 euros or dollars per hour (I do), not counting overhead in case of intermediar agencies. They also host a pretty expensive server on most likely a very hefty connection. Look up what those cost each month. And it's not without obligations or stress either. They have to keep things running and stable, both software and hosting, or people will be pissed.
Also consider that past efforts have gotten this server stable and active for so long, despite the age of the game it's built on. They have built a good product so far to make for a great framework to RP in. Why would they screw that up?
All the players are getting all that... for free. They only need to RP and be around to enjoy it with the only obligation being towards other RP'ers if they make those obligations themselves.
So to anyone who moans so loudly, please try to rationalise your efforts and investments, relative to that of the developers, and think again. No, I don't know you, nor does it matter, but atleast you'll know what you'll be complaining against.
Damn ... over 3000 characters on my 3rd ever post here.
Still, just my 2 cents. =)
