So the "Gear Progression" thread got me thinking. That thread got filled within 5 days with all the debate over how much gear should influence things, and whether or not there should be separate PvP stats. I can't help but think that the beta forums could well end up becoming a battleground, if people are in the position where the changes they suggest might actually get implemented.

Two words: Heavy Moderation.

That said, people in the beta will have the advantage of actually seeing how things work in-game. Part of the arguing is from rampant speculation, and not having solid points of comparison.

Not worried. It will play out in game and what works and what doesn't in game will determine how it works out, not on who can argue the most or loudest on the forums.

Likely it won't be so bad because in Beta we will actually be playing the game and it'll be time for some of these arm chair Devs to put up or shut up so to speak. Meaning they can't just rant and rave they'll have to actualy put forth hard proof and evidence based on game play feedback.

I don't think there will be that much change based upon the feedback. Beta traditionally is there to make sure the game mechanics work, the backbone system works, and for discovering serious issues with the design. Dev teams rarely make changes to major structure based upon "I would like this instead" feedback because, frankly, it is too late to design a major change, and there have already been marketing meeting and study after marketing meeting and study to decide what will go in, and how it will all fit together.

Those who make it into Beta are there to point out problems and serious issues.

It just shows that the designers/developers have to make up their mind what kind of audience they want to cater because you just can't please everyone.
If they don't release more information before beta we'll see by then.

But a lot of people are going to get disappointed anyhow. Which isn't neccessarily bad.

I just hope Zenimax has the guts to tell that their game "is not for type A and B MMO players" and won't try to please everyone with promised they won't be able to fulfill.