[JadedRadiance]

Well when I said finding a middle ground I didn't mean leveling the playing field altogether

And I completely agree. It wouldn't be fair to "shackle" the more powerful players.

I've seen a couple of threads where the issue of making the game more suitable for lower/intermediate level players arose with considerable criticism thrown at the higher level players.

Things such as (paraphrasing and speaking about higher level players) "you were the ones who put yourself in the position of not being challenged by the game anymore because you got so strong..."

Which is definitely unfair. That is essentially the point of any game, to become as strong as you can. And penalizing a person for being able to leap ahead of the pack is a bit absurd.

Those who have put in the time, effort, and money even shouldn't have all their accomplishments negated and essentially dismissed.

However, most people aren't going to be willing to side with the higher level players because the issues of the higher level players don't affect them.

Hence my suggestion of trying to find some middle ground that would allow both sides to play the way they wish. Middle ground that wouldn't diminish the accomplishments of the higher levels who put forth the time and money but would also let the lower levels play the way they wish without giving them anything they haven't earned.

As I said, I would prefer the hardcore wars over the soft pillow fight type ones but I'm just playing devils advocate to see if there is the possibility of finding a solution to the gang wars issue that would make most people happy. 8)