Hm. So it wasn't just rumors and hearsay, huh? I hope you don't mind me dropping my thoughts on this.
First, I want to say that it's good that WookieeCookie is being as clear as possible that this is a test, and not a change of policy. I'm not sure how many people would interpret that - or whether some would actually read it/skip over it, whichever - but it's a relief to me in a small part that they're maintaining the policy that I much prefer.
I also have to say, this is a pretty bold move on WookieeCookie's part, initiating and running such a test. It's definitely a pretty risky one, and it'd probably be taxing, even on the small scale that they have it, but, I trust they know full well the risks and have a good goal in mind for when to formally shut the test down. I hope things go smoothly enough for them and their team.
As for the test itself, I'm rather torn on how I should feel about it. On the one hand, this does help those scant few players who happen to only reform after they reach the permanent ban (which, I personally view as "too little, too late", but, my dismissal aside, it does work for some.), but on the other hand, it opens up quite a big negative possibility - which was addressed in that post.
If the Level 20 Challenge had a 95~% failure rate, of players hand-chosen as "most likely to succeed"...What does that say for the rest of permabanned players? What can we expect from the players they screen into the test? I guess time will tell for that matter.
Beyond the implications and the audiences the test reaches to, I also am somewhat drawn to think about the outcome of the test.
If it succeeds (in what margin Riot finds acceptable), then it likely will open up some possibilities for the future, potentially allowing those "too little, too late" cases to be screened and given one last shot. I can't really say it's a bad thing, since, again, while I'm ready to dismiss it, there are people who do learn what they can lose and shape up after the fact. But, it's not necessarily a good thing, either, since it'd likely still be fairly taxing on Riot if they do find a good success rate.
It is implied that they're looking to implement systems to make such a thing easier, but...Honestly, I'm not sure how much easier it can get for them. I'm not versed on code or automation of things, so what systems they make (if they make them) will be as black magic to me, but, if they've confidence in it, I've confidence in them.
But, on the other side of the coin, there's the fair possibility of failure. If it happens, I think it would completely cement the conclusion of the Level 20 Challenge, and the policy of not overturning permanent bans will be set in stone - no further tests would be feasible. Two failed tests would be enough to prove the point.
And if that does happen...Well, players will refer to this most recent test - likely alongside the Level 20 Challenge. Banned players will call for a third test, or a retrial, or some other exception...And non-banned players will have another piece of evidence to push back against people asking for "one last chance".
And, again, such an outcome isn't inherently good or bad. It's definitely not good, since, y'know. The test failed, and there was some collateral damage from it (hypothetically, of course), and it would inevitably reignite some amount of controversy in the playerbase regarding bans and ban appeals, but it's not bad, either, since even if the test fails...Well, we learn something from it. We learn what to expect from people wanting one last shot before they're banned for good.
Pardon all the rambling, but I figured with the official statement, I should at least give my thoughts for people to mull over or pick at.
To those of you who get screened into the test, best of luck, and, more importantly...Show that you mean it.
