Man, some folks are really wailing on Beta players.  I don't know about everyone else, but most of the people I met in Beta were good folks.  Anyway regarding the Image Retrieval I'll be honest; when I first saw it I said to my self "wow". It wasn't a "wow" in excitement nor a "wow" in disgust but somewhere in-between.  I was glad that players had a chance to get something that was in-game that was previously unattainable but at the same time the Beta in me (though I'm embarrassed to say) felt slightly cheated.  I know I didn't spend the most hours in the test server but I still remember waiting for them to come online (yes there were designated play times heh) but when I was in, I tried to submit as many reports as I could cause it felt like I was helping out some how. I knew we'd get some stuff for testing and when I joined it was somewhere between the stress test and pre-order meaning I got Beta jump, early entry, Beta clothes, everything except the Beta Gloves and Jacket which were given to the players who were signed up from the beginning I think. Though I've always wanted those two items I recognized I wasn't signed up during that time so I hadn't earned them.  I still had Beta jump and the rest of the outfit all of which I still appreciate to this day.  Receiving the items after launch felt special because signing up and seeing the game early was the real reward, getting the Beta items felt more like a special thanks from the dev team for helping out with testing.  After the transition we got the Mobius code and that felt like another sign of appreciation for sticking around. 

I'm not saying I don't want folks to have these abilities. I'm glad folks that have been wanting these will get a chance to finally get them. But the way the trial members got them and now everyone gets them; on a personal aspect it just it stings a little is all...

40 sticks better be harder then a Patcher's Headgear farm....