Sorry, maybe I'm showing my age, just ignorant, or don't know how to search the forum correctly, but I can't seem to find anything out about VIP status.
If we select option 2, will we lose our VIP status and all the abilities associated with it?
Will we have to re-invest in the server to get our rank again?
I understand the money reset, and I don't have a problem with that. Hopefully there will still be an option in the store to buy more IG Money.
Also, I don't understand the "server store". Does that mean people won't be able to 'buy back' resources with their stores, and that the only place you can sell your inventory to is the server store?
Also, somewhere along the line, as I read this, there was talk about an "upgraded server". Is that the case, or are we simply putting a fresh copy on the existing server?
If you are going through the expense of a second "newer" server, maybe there is an alternative - Have an "option 1" server, and an "option 2" server, each configured as outlined in the poll, but force people to choose only one of the two servers, including preventing people from creating accounts on both servers. Those that can't live without their resources and cash can stay on the option 1 server, and those who want a fresh start can choose the "option 2" server.
If you do it this way, I can see where people moving to the "option 2" server would have to start over at guest or novice level, and level up again, including the financial contributions to get back up to VIP status. But I bet the "server restart" messages will be non-existent on the Option 2 server.
Also, for those moving to the Option 2 server, /unlock all their stuff in the Option 1 server (for that matter, do the same for all accounts inactive for more than 90 days), since they won't be back and don't need the resources anymore. That will free up resources that are currently "frozen" on the Option 1 server. I realize that from an admin standpoint, this might be a lot of work. But the one thing that has been the most annoying to me is stumbling upon a decrepit store with stuff that's over a year old, and no way to clear it, because of the concern of upsetting that particular person should they return. People should realize that if you haven't checked in for more than 90 days, you're probably not coming back, and if you do, you'd want to start over again anyway.
Of course, this only works if the comment that there would be upgraded server hardware is true. BTW, is this a "brick and mortar" server, or a cloud server?