:Smacks Forehead:
Oh boy...here we go again with "extensive data-mining"...I love how this term gets applied to massive changes that inherently the devs feel they need to make, but can't fully justify it by any other means. I also don't understand why is it lately when the devs announce some new and interesting features - like new power sets or game content, they have to sour it by removing a game mechanic they admit to not really being a problem right off the bat! Posi states that the concern for bridging requests really wasn't as big as a problem as they thought! It was a misperception by the dev team! But hey, since our data-mining shows that requests for bridging isn't a problem like we "thought", then lets go ahead and change it quick now! Come on...the only reason why it doesn't show up in your data-mining is because you probably only looked at the last 4 to 6 months. Hello, that is how long AE has been out and there hasn't been a need for bridges - you already fixed that! LOL However you "over-corrected". If you really want us to use the non-AE game content again, maybe (and I cringe to suggest this) simply turn off auto-SKing in AEs or apply this new system only to AEs and people will eventually not abuse it (I mean enjoy it) so much. They will go back to the more "balanced" system that already exists! Now, you may reply with "well we don't want to see the spam of bridging again" ...well again, sounds like you "added" a new mechanic that is going to be awesome which is the email/broadcast filter. Based on actual game play (not short-term "extensive data-mining"), it's the broadcasting and emails that annoy people the most. If other players don't see how some other players choose to play the game, then obviously they can't complain about it. Hence, 1) add broadcast/email filters, 2) leave SKing alone or add your new way as an "option", 3) Fix AE so it doesn't auto SK and allow it to be the alternate mission creator it was intended to be.
Ultimately, the dev team really needs to consider how far it "over-corrects" a problem they recently created and not practically re-write the entire game in one issue. It was bad enough you couldn't adjust certain ATs for PvP, now you are taking that same philosophy to PvE. PLEASE seriously consider this new CoX 2.0 before you force it on us!