Here's the way I see all this nonsense...

If you were to join a game 6 months after it launched and complain that the playing field wasn't level, the typical response would be "You should have been here at launch then". The same concept applies to this situation just different words. You say "Well the alpha/beta testers have an unfair advantage". The typical response to that would be "You should have been here for the Alpha and Beta tests then".

For most practical purposes, the standard protocol for MOST (not all) games is to full wipe at the end of Alpha, and to fully retain or partially retain character data from the Beta going into launch.

For those of us that are here now and have put work into our toons whether it be one month or 5 years.....please never forget....Citan allowing us to keep even some of our character data from this Alpha is a MASSIVELY huge gift. Always cherish and respect that.

For those of you threatening to "take your ball and go home" if your demands are not met....always make damn sure you are 200% prepared to backup that threat. I know a lot of people like to use that to try and force sway, but 99% of the time it doesn't work and you will most likely find yourself in a "put up or shut up" situation and on top of that force a developer to go even further in the opposite direction. I have witnessed that happen in a couple other games.

Ultimately, I don't care which way it goes. This is Citan's game...his decision is final and I will respect whatever he ultimately decides.