[Conrad1103]

"but several players in these big gangs also say there is no way to eliminate other gangs"

so... the concern is that bigger gangs are unhappy with the number of gangs?

if you want to cut down on the number of gangs, how about;

1 - a gang must have at least 3 (or 4, 5?) members within X days of creation. and... a gang cannot have below that amount for more than X days. otherwise, the gang is automatically lost. this ALSO means, that there cannot be 1-2 active members and 2,5,10, inactive members. there must be X active memebers at all times. if the gang falls below the established standard, then the gang should be lost. how about that? does that make sense?

right now... half the existing gangs would be eliminated with this logic/rule.

look at all the 1,2, and 3 man gangs. thats not a gang. thats a partnership. look at all the inactive gangs. get those guys outta here. we could cut the current gangs in half, with some rules/standards for creating and maintaining gangs - if thats the concern.

dont punish the active gangs and active players, by losing a gang slot, b/c they upset a big level player and cant beat up SV, DM, etc.

as for "what kind of consequences should there be for losing".. im nto sure yet. i need to think about it. BUT... the idea of losing respect, like you mentioned, is pretty humiliating and of consequence. plus, you dont "gain" anything for losing (points, respect, money)- thats of consequence. eventually, the weaker gangs may weed themselves out by dropping out of the weak gang or going inactive. (?).