This is true. However, I've found (through threading with others and stalking threads) a lot of characters have found comfort in Aather's small size. It affects the characters' attitudes in relation to Aather. It means a lot more that if something happens within a relatively small group of characters, it will get around. Characters have a higher ability to network. People have the change to gain their own circle of CR (as in normal games), their CR's CR, their castmates' (depending on the situations, of course), and their teams'; this doesn't mean their immediate CR circle will be huge, but that does mean they know a whole lot of Aather (or have access to them) even indirectly. An increase in characters has a high likelihood of distorting that.
I remember sometime in late May or early June that there was an Aather-wide meeting regarding a single(? iirc) person who had been attacked by one on Tiger's Eye, as well as the organization against the darkness for the anniversary event. These events allowed for how well the dynamic of a small pool of characters work together, as well as allowed for a number of interesting realizations on part of the characters an the world they currently reside in and their responsibilities to it (or, their responsibilities if they want to keep themselves or their teams/whoever safe).
Just because every character is not constantly interacting with all the other characters does not mean that there is no IC merit to the "small town" pool. There are a number of jems that remain hidden but are very apparent, even in day-to-day interactions, and only occasionally are allowed to shine (as in the events I mentioned above).
The larger the game gets, the more likely it is for these advantages to be distorted.
All that said, I am, OOCly, not opposed to minor expansion if that is not the sole "solution" implemented. I think it's valid to assume that expansion may be a risky move for a number of reasons, but I also think it's valid to believe that expansion will also have a number of benefits. If there are additional ideas implemented to mollify the concerns of all parties (or as many as possible)--such as finding a solid system to make game-running easier (not just coming up with hypothetical ideas), thinking of ways to regulate the queue, addressing the playerbase's attitudes on the matter, and so on--then I believe that the merits of an organized expansion will counterbalance its potential flaws.
The queue is not an isolated event. It is affected by and affects a number of factors; thus, those other factors must also be addressed when considering the issue.
Re: AATHER
This is true. However, I've found (through threading with others and stalking threads) a lot of characters have found comfort in Aather's small size. It affects the characters' attitudes in relation to Aather. It means a lot more that if something happens within a relatively small group of characters, it will get around. Characters have a higher ability to network. People have the change to gain their own circle of CR (as in normal games), their CR's CR, their castmates' (depending on the situations, of course), and their teams'; this doesn't mean their immediate CR circle will be huge, but that does mean they know a whole lot of Aather (or have access to them) even indirectly. An increase in characters has a high likelihood of distorting that.
I remember sometime in late May or early June that there was an Aather-wide meeting regarding a single(? iirc) person who had been attacked by one on Tiger's Eye, as well as the organization against the darkness for the anniversary event. These events allowed for how well the dynamic of a small pool of characters work together, as well as allowed for a number of interesting realizations on part of the characters an the world they currently reside in and their responsibilities to it (or, their responsibilities if they want to keep themselves or their teams/whoever safe).
Just because every character is not constantly interacting with all the other characters does not mean that there is no IC merit to the "small town" pool. There are a number of jems that remain hidden but are very apparent, even in day-to-day interactions, and only occasionally are allowed to shine (as in the events I mentioned above).
The larger the game gets, the more likely it is for these advantages to be distorted.
All that said, I am, OOCly, not opposed to minor expansion if that is not the sole "solution" implemented. I think it's valid to assume that expansion may be a risky move for a number of reasons, but I also think it's valid to believe that expansion will also have a number of benefits. If there are additional ideas implemented to mollify the concerns of all parties (or as many as possible)--such as finding a solid system to make game-running easier (not just coming up with hypothetical ideas), thinking of ways to regulate the queue, addressing the playerbase's attitudes on the matter, and so on--then I believe that the merits of an organized expansion will counterbalance its potential flaws.
The queue is not an isolated event. It is affected by and affects a number of factors; thus, those other factors must also be addressed when considering the issue.