I find the closed beta server 'culture' to be surprising.
So I've been MnM beta-ing since the very first one. Hit 20 a few times on the opens. I got a key last week.
The experience on the closed server is not super great. The groups are mostly closed, people already seem to know each other. Very little LFGing happens. Run up to groups at Ashiras, in Wyrm, at Werebats etc and people often don't even respond if you ask 'need one?' ... and I'm playing an enchanter this time around, even if it's just 4 folks.
Furthermore, there's a high concentration of high levels. There's a seemingly robust commerce - items selling for 20g-50g? Astronomical prices. There's clearly tons of currency and items floating around - yet a near 0 culture of helping people. It can be tough to get a sow with 60 people standing at the bank. If you ask a 60 sham or druid doing their WTS's for buffs they ignore you.
Those buffs are more important when you've gotta solo and try to catch up.
This is super counter to all of the open betas I've been in so far. Last one I was handing out strong daggers to help the newbs, people giving out free backpacks, just establishing that culture of a social mmo.
If I was 60 on this server, had a plat or two and lots of spare gear, I'd be trying to help all the low & unaffiliated characters.
I think this server needs a wipe, or there needs to be a new server.
I've joined 2 guilds, one very big that came over from open beta, but even they are cliquey - if you're not the type to sit in a discord channel for a few hours it seems you can't get involved in playing. The second guild had one cool night then nobody logged in or used guildchat ever again.
Am I the last person left on earth that doesn't want to sit in discord all day? I spend my day doing zoom calls. The last thing I want to do is be in a voice chat when I wind down playing games. Makes me wonder.
Just my 2c but I really don't feel like leveling on this server. Disappointing cause I waited so long to get a key.