Why now after 3 years of saying no to Test->Live transfers have you transferred a guild from test to live servers without any apparent losses or costs?For more details read here:<a href="http://www.eq2flames.com/your-guild-sucks/16578-unhallowed-triad-unrest-moved-test-soe.html#post367501" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.eq2flames.com/your-guild...html#post367501</a>

I would imagine it's because people on test have been begging people on these forums to come play there because the population on test was very low...Especially if others on test have now found out that this guild has been moved and they want to move also...What is SOE going to say? No? they have already moved people...If SOE want's to make this right they need to cut these people's levels in half and remove their equipment...but then I doubt any of them would stay....If this is true...and it looks like it might be, then it shows favoritism at an epic level....It doesn't surprise me though...SOE turns a blind eye to other types of cheating..I never knew they would actually instigate it...I hope this is all BS...I don't know if I could continue to play their games knowing that they would do this...How long until this post goes the way of the DooDoo bird?

If this is true - and it certainly looks like it is - then this is the most appalling betrayal of all those of us who levelled without the test adventure bonus and dev help. I really can't believe SOE did this. I'm completely stunned.

<p>Howdy folks,</p><p>I can understand your concern and definately appreciate that some folks might be upset, but let us sort this out and figure out exactly what is going on.  Updates to follow as we have details.  </p><p>Thanks</p>

<p>Test server is double experience rate, also other differences too - hence the title Test.  It has always been stated transfers off Test to a live server would NEVER be allowed due to this and yet it appears that this has indeed occured.</p><p>If this has happened why have these players levels not been cut by half, and why this particular guild?</p><p>Are people on the PvP and Bazaar servers also entitled to transfers now seeing as this has occured?  Are the rest of the players on test now also entitled to a transfer to a live server also?</p><p>Cannot believe that SOE have condoned this, it makes a complete mockery of all the players who levelled or are levelling a character on a live server.</p>

Easy now Wriggle, as Brenlo said, we are going to need to sort this out.. and that more than likely means tomorrow since most of the company is at home. We will share more, as we can but we need fair time considering the time of the day. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Test server is a dead server.. Chances are it would take longer to lvl on it regardless of the double XP .. maybe should make it triple just for it to be fair with the live servers..The only real argument is Solo there vs live is much better, But hell the groups and ability to get anything other then solo gear is hell of alot harder then a live server with with a steady population ...

<p>Honestly, I think a mountain is being made out of a molehill here. If they had transferred to a PvP server, then yeah, I could see folks being upset. But to a PvE server? Seriously, why does it matter. It sounds like the Mythical gear they had was stripped, so they came over with the same fabled (and T7 fabled at that) that everyone else can get their hands on.</p><p>And what do people propose be done? The transfer is there, they're already part of the Unrest community now. Strip their gear and coin? Strip their levels? All SoE would be doing was ensure that they'd lose 50+ accounts.</p><p>And just to be clear, I'm not associated with the guild (never heard of them until now), have never played on Test and have no characters on Unrest. Ultimately I don't care one whit what happens as a result of this, but I'm still of the opinion that this is much ado about nothing.</p><p>Edit: LFG makes the comment that now that people on Test know this guild was moved, other guilds want to be moved too. I say fine, move them to any non-PvP server that they want. It's clear that the standard servers are all pretty much "test" servers anyway. Why have the distinction? <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

<cite>Brenlo wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Howdy folks,</p><p> definately appreciate that some folks might be upset</p></blockquote>ummmappreciate that some folks might be upset?  I hope this is a typo.

I'm in the "what the heck does it matter" camp. A few more level 70-80 characters without mythical gear, they're going to affect your gameplay? XP might be doubled on Test but from all accounts life is actually easier on a regular server with a functioning economy and enough people to group with.If they were moved to a PvP server I'd completely agree that would be unfair. Otherwise, who cares?

<p>I can understand the time needed to be able to give more information on this, will be interesting to see what comes to light.</p><p>That this has happened is important for a variety of reasons, some of which are:</p><p>1.  Double experience rates given on Test.</p><p>2.  Differing levels of Dev interaction on Test, equipment obtained by different methods/handed out to test effects on raids, encounters etc?</p><p>3.  Mythical equipment may have been stripped but other equipment no matter how gained was not?</p><p>3.  No level adjustment made to offset the increases experience rates, rationalise it how you will, the experience rates on test are different in an advantageous way.</p><p>4.  Opening the door for possible duping?</p><p>It goes without saying that everyone appreciates the who people play on test to fine tune advances/content for the game as a whole.  These people choose to play on test, they do so knowing the rules, is it now the case that if you play on test for a given length of time you can transfer across after this and the increased experience rates and all other aforementioned differences concerns are a reward for doing such?  </p><p>Also if the reason is given that the Test server is underpopulated and used as an excuse as to why these transfers do not matter, it will not stand up.  There are many players who have levelled/levelling on other low/lower populated servers also, players who for a myriad of reasons solo play, should they recieve double experience and altered levels of Dev interaction too?</p><p>That it is only a few people and that it doesnt really matter is not the problem here, the problem is allowing players who have levelled under advantageous experience/equipment gain conditions to transfer.  It smacks of favouritism and reward no matter how it is spun.</p><p>If one guild is allowed to transfer off then all should be allowed to do so should they wish.  A clear set of guidelines should be implemented to make sure that it is fair to the game community as a whole - and done so openly and honestly.</p><p>What really is important here is the way this was conducted, the obvious lack of communication internally about this and the fact that despite clear assurances from SOE that this would never occur it most obviously has.  Are official statements and rules to be disregarded willy nilly now and mean nothing whatsoever?</p><p>As I stated previously; I understand the need for time to look into what has gone on in this situation before any information can be given.  I am going to wait until official information is forthcoming before posting again as there may very well be good reasons for this that have not been forthcoming as of yet.</p>

From what I understand it's a simple matter that if this did happen it wasn't supposed too.  Even if this one guild transfer doesn't bother anyone it's a bit important for SOE to find out how this happened and why.  At the least there's some miscommunication somewhere about CTS from Test to Live.  At worst there's something broken with the CTS that's allowing transfer's to take place that shouldn't be happening.  While this one instance might not bother many players, imagine if the way this was done could be duplicated for a transfer from a PVE - PVP, or even include the SE servers in that mix.  The issue isn't how this one time affects players, it's how to make sure the CTS is working properly and doesn't get exploited.Like was mentioned earlier SOE is aware, they'll be looking into it and getting any problems fixed, and will likely deal with any unintended use of a /bugged CTS as they see necessary.  At the very least if this was an intended change it sounds like some communication was missed somewhere.  Which in itself can be an important issue.  We'll probably find out soon enough.-Gil

<p>Just for clarification, it is a 50% bonus to experience not double. Basically the same as "bonus experience days" that occasionally occur on the live servers. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

My guess is that free transfer for all servers is coming.

Playing on Test with the xp bonus doesnt make it easier to play there at all <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />As a Full time Test server player I heard rumors of this a few weeks ago but wanted to see proof before I commented.I, and most people I've talked to do not blame, or are even upset that UT has been allowed to copy off Test;However, we on Test now WANT the same opportunity from SoE to copy and are waiting from confirmation from SoE/Devs, etc about it happening and how we also can copy-

<p>Edited to remove stupid comments....  ugh</p><p>lessons learned...  read the thread before you post.</p><p>Thanks <b>James_UK....   </b></p>

"<span class="postbody">Bottom line:  They need more high lvl testers."So how does transfering people from test help with this ?</span>

if they need more high level testers then why did they let them move away from the test server?..and if it is allowed for them then I expect that everyone on a test server must be given the ability to move to another server if they so desire, and not only this guild.

I think some people are mis-reading this as 'players transferred *from* Live *to* Test'However, what has happened is a tranfer '*from* Test *to* the Live' servers.Crazy. If I didn't know better I'd say SoE were getting ready to can the game entirely.

<p>My understanding of the test server was that transfers would not be allowed away from it.</p><p>I test crafters (70+) on test and I know that a similar message is repeated that TRANSFERS AWAY WILL NOT EVER BE ALLOWED as you go through the process of patching / rolling. I imagine that both the legitimatley leveled toons on unrest and all the people overlooked for a transfer away from test must be pretty disheartened at the moment.</p><p>Perhaps the biggest slap in the face is to all the people who got frustrated with life on test, and instead of getting themselves transfered they rolled a toon on a live server and leveled it. If I was one of those people I'd be wanting some quick and public answers, and some prompt action.</p>

For instance if i start a char on Test and Level them up with a 50% bonus XP rate. I would essentially level faster then i would on a non Test server. If i was able to transfer off as it seems that has happend. I would just start all my characters on test level them to 80 with the bonus XP and xfer them to a PVE server at max level in a shorter amount of time then if on a PVE server for full time. AM i correct in this?

<p>Will be interesting to see how this plays out. Here is a quote from a member of the guild:</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">we went through the proper channels to get moved to live, we requested moves, not copies, copies was the only viable way it could be i was told. thats life. this wasnt an under the table favor from a dev on the downlow. most of us have been on test since the server opened, 3 yrs on test struggling to get by with a shortage of people and gear got old, we decided to leave and went through the proper method to do that, if this will happen for other people i doubt it, it was a major pain in someones [I cannot control my vocabulary] to fix the char data to be usable on live.</span></p><p>I will be interested to see whether "proper channels" means an official SOE sanctioned move/copy or whether it was the rogue act of one or more people. If it is an official SOE sanctioned action I think it really leaves egg on their face. Consider this, what has SOE's mantra been when people asked for copies to the test server? "Roll up there," essentially. Now, that people on test get tired of their server they are freely transferred(actually copied it sounds) off? Seems the more consistent message would have been to say "Roll up there" to them too.</p><p>This brings up another issue altogether, and that is favoritism. I am certain there are other people on Test who would like to get off; is this oppurtunity going to be afforded to them, or is it only an avenue open to those with connections?</p><p>Another thing, if the "roll up there" philosophy is out the window, are Live toons going to be able to be copied over to Test? Notice I didn't say moved, because that is not what apparently happened with the Test to Live folks. </p><p>Once SOE has even laid the groundwork of an equitable who can move where ,and when, system. There are still questions about the varying exp rates on test vs live, gear "buffs" that may or may not ahve been given, plat/item dupes that may or may not have been stripped, etc...</p><p>This also begs the question... How diffferent would a PvP to PvE, or vice versa, move be compared to this? What is so inherently different about "test to live" that makes a working solution for the above out of reach? </p><p>In my opinion this was a very bad move in that it goes against everything SOE has previously stated and brings up very valid questions of 1) favoritism, and 2) internal controls sat SOE (particularly since this doesn't sound like one rogue person).</p>

<cite>UnderMage wrote:</cite><blockquote>I don't understand what the fuss is.  </blockquote>Reading the OP before replying to it would solve that particular problem. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

Moving them is fine as long as it's in keeping with how characters got moved from test back in EQ1.Naked and coinless, but you keep your levels and abilities.  Interesting how this happened back in EQ1 ... right after the Kunark launch back then.

Only way to fix this and keep the face is to move them back. Sorry there Test guild but hey you should have read the rules before rolling. If you didnt, let me point to a plaque above a SEAL dive locker I saw when I was in service quite a few years ago. "The Stupid Shall Be Punished". I think that speaks for itself.You want more people on test? How about letting us testcopy our toons over. I would be more than happy to do that. Allow for it once ever major LU. That would give you the fresh meat for testing and allow more people to see the updates and spot bugs.Regardless I am seriously interested to see response to it.Of course by now they have handed plat and items  to all their noob toons there. Delete those too.Just becareful of whom you are punishing for this. I recall the copied plat fiasco of 2004...gads what a mess.Also, if your guild needs to roll new toons there is some raids going into blackburrow next week you can get in on.

<p>If this is true then I can see a massive player revolt on this.  The whole point of test is testing.  An excuse of their is no player base is not SOE's fault.  If your decision to make test your home then you have to live with the ramifications.  Asking a dev to move you off is a favor that was done on the "downlow". </p><p>If this is legit then who ever moved them should be canned and the players moved back to test.  Not allowing everybody to move off test is not fair.  </p><p>You started on test you finish on test unless you are a Alt-Aholic.</p>

Merge PVE Test and PVE Station Exchange and let them have a single better populated regular live server instead.Test is not the 'viable server' it used to be, neither is the Bazaar.  BOTH are perceived as having access to 'shortcuts' or 'advantages' that regular PVE servers do not.

<cite>Macabrat@Butcherblock wrote:</cite><blockquote>You want more people on test? How about letting us testcopy our toons over. I would be more than happy to do that. Allow for it once ever major LU. That would give you the fresh meat for testing and allow more people to see the updates and spot bugs.</blockquote><p>This sort of back fired on them just recently.  They did it on EQ live and with in 2 days they revoked it.  All the farmers loaded up one toon with plat, gear and such.  Testcopied and [Removed for Content] on the rewards of selling double loot and plat.  </p>

<cite>skinandbones wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite><p>This sort of back fired on them just recently.  They did it on EQ live and with in 2 days they revoked it.  All the farmers loaded up one toon with plat, gear and such.  Testcopied and [I cannot control my vocabulary] on the rewards of selling double loot and plat.  </p></blockquote>Which is why those who actually play Test should be allowed to transfer to regular servers so that Test can be opened up to testcopies without worrying about server economys. (no point selling plat on a server that gets wiped after each LU release).

<cite>Kenazeer wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Will be interesting to see how this plays out. Here is a quote from a member of the guild:</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">we went through the proper channels to get moved to live, we requested moves, not copies, copies was the only viable way it could be i was told. thats life. this wasnt an under the table favor from a dev on the downlow. most of us have been on test since the server opened, 3 yrs on test struggling to get by with a shortage of people and gear got old, we decided to leave and went through the proper method to do that, if this will happen for other people i doubt it, it was a major pain in someones [I cannot control my vocabulary] to fix the char data to be usable on live.</span></p></blockquote>Went through proper channels to get moved to live? More like there was probably some guy in their guild that is some peon on the SOE ladder got his guild transfered and didn't think anyone would notice/care. When his boss realizes what he did, he will probably get canned <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />Sorry, but the proper channels are to re-roll on your server of choice and play the game like everyone else. Move these fools back to test server IMO.