There are over 80 signed up for crpl. About just as many aren't. I'm certain that most will alternatively play inf, a large percentage already do.
Let's say 20% stay strictly loyal to cr zones, that's over a hundred new players for inf. So you'll lose some and gain some. For the most part, people are going to be sticking to the zones they've always played. Yes, inf will bleed more players into cr than cr to inf, not because inf players are more likely to play cr (quite the opposite), but because inf's playerbase is far larger.
I don't forsee this killing inf. That's a very extreme "The Sky is Falling" stance to take. Please do not hurt your own arguments by saying such silly things.
As I have said before, people need to look at the long run. We all know that nothing is going to save cr/inf overnight. But this IS a step in the right direction. I don't believe it's necessary. I don't keep track of inf;s records, but cr is actually growing from where it used to be at (albeit at an injured snail's pace).
Now, I don't post just to reitterate previous arguments, as many of you seem to be doing. I actually had a thought that may interest inf players. It regards the SS players that may give CR a try, if any of it's zones can hold more than 20 people at once~
One thing I've heard over and over, while trying to convince SSers to play CR, is that, SS is already perfect. They don't like Cr, because in their minds, SS is perfect in terms of... everything. they don't like the different thrusts, physics, specials, etc. They JUST like SS better. So, while they gave CR a try, they left because it was too unfamiliar and why would they want to play a clone that they aren't as comfortable in?
Enter Infantry.
Yeah, CR's just a clone that, in their minds, is inferior (though it is obviously not). But infantry is different enough for them to accept without raging over the fact that the ship doesn't turn quite the same way. Yet it's still familiar enough that they can pick it up and enjoy playing, when they want a change of pace.
Here's how I see the immigration process going:
-SS player enters CR, plays for a few hours, decides they like SS better.
-SS player exits, but sees inf zones and decides to give them a shot.
-SS player is intrigued by the new challenge, stays a while, then goes back to SS.
A week later
-"SS is boring today, I think I'll play inf again." And BOOM! Inf's playerbase grows by one more on-and-off player.
This is not a far fetched scenario. Anybody who knows how SS players act will agree.
Without the initial draw of CR, SS players are very unlikely to try Inf. but without the staying power of inf, they would be unlikely to ever return. Eventually, they will probably play both Inf and CR. But let's face it, they won't stay for JUST cr and they won't ever bother trying out JUST inf.
CR has always been looking for a way to snatch some of the SS crowd. This is the best idea I've ever seen to do that. It will benefit us both.
Also, I agree with the statement of new players not having to CHOOSE between cr and inf.
All in all, it's just much more convenient and should have been done since the start of both games.
