262 comments on the changes and probably less than 10 people agreed with them (don't know if it even got close to 5...). I think there's a pretty big controversy. Matter of interpretation.
I bet you the reaction would be
much more intense with the "arena tax solution" even if I personally think it is a better solution on paper.
As to your predictions about what would happen with the other alternative: could be, but if what you said is correct, that the bb's probably agree that taxing arenas would be a better alternative, but didn't do it because some people would feel bad about it, then I think it's a serious issue. BB's shouldn't be held from doing what they feel is correct because they're afraid of the reaction.
I do not agree at all. If they would have chosen a solution that would ruin the ambient in the forums for a long time -and I sure that change would have done that- they have made a good management decision.
Of course, ideally, they would have reacted earlier and then been able to use the tax solution, but now they had to act in panic and chose a solution that was less controvesial, even though obviously still far from ideal.
I don't think that's what happened though. I don't think BB's felt taxing arenas was a good idea but were afraid of consequences. I think BB's didn't think enough about their changes and several points have been made in this topic that were left without any perspective of solution (mid / small teams in D1 situation; small countries D1; etc).
You might be correct, but I honestly think that they did consider the different solutions and made the correct cjoice between pest and cholera. However, it might be as you say that they did not analyse enough, but just happened to do the best choice (considering how late they where with their changes).
Most of the people I saw complaining here (and I read the whole post from the start) agree that changes should be made, which I believe is the reason you're saying it's a pretty calm reaction. It's the nature and the lack of warning that pissed off most, but you can't ignore that there are GM's giving the "we're all doomed" speach, saying this is "Game Over" and some people agreeing. I even recieved a BB-Mail from a GM trying to talk me into some sort of rebellion against the changes.
I think this was an expected reaction. No surprise at all, but I am confident that the "tax on arena" solution would create a much worse reaction and forum mood.
Now, I've been in BB since season 2 and I had never seen any change create a reaction as big as this change has. I don't agree at all that this isn't a big controversy, I think BB's knew there would be a pretty big reaction, and I don't think they avoided taxing arenas because of possible reactions.
Yes, and I have never denied that they expected reactions. Actually I have said quite the opposite. They have never had to do anything near as drastic as this change either, and they where very late in introducing it, so whatever solution they chose it would have created controvercy.
However, try to imagine the reactions on a "tax on arena" solution. Then you would have two clear groups; those with big and those with small arenas that would endup in endless and angry discussions which this thread is not even close to reach.
Moreover, I do think sometime in the future BB's will decide to tax arenas. But on this one we'll just have to wait and see.
I completely agree with this, that's why I suggested that BB should setup a plan to gradually move from the current panic solution to a more stable "tax on arena solution".