Many games now (Arcane Legends, bigger MMORPGs) use pets, AL in a very similar manner, yet this seems to be a MUCH more complex system. It sounds great to me!
1. It adds more depth and balancing, possibilities to make up for "clones" or at least allow other styles and suits for PvP. Even if they are PvE only, same thing; more variables allow more creativity. Don't have enough X resist or X def? Use your X pet!
2. CE/crown sink, and another time sink. All of those are good for everybody, including OOO.
3. Something that's not insanely expensive and such and isn't like accessories, which i always feel like I am wasting CR or CE if I were to spend them on (I still don't understand people who put so much RL $$$ into the game to have the UV's and more-so accessories they have unless it's their parents credit card or they are disabled or t home all the time for whatever reason and just enjoy it) This is something that is directly influencing gameplay! YAY!
4. If you aren't happy because now you need to spend more cash/CR/CE, then I would question how much you like this game. I am looking forward to it, as accessories, while neat, are either out of my self-determined price range, or IMO aren't in line with the game and it's art style or story (cat tails... really...?) though I know people love them. I like wings, even though those are just goofy, dragon being even cooler looking. UO did this and many did not like it (as anyone who remembers the Asian expansion; they should have limited the Tokuno dyes to certain armors at the least)
I wanna fight some kind of dragon! The wings thing made me throw this in randomly; at least the lore would make a little more sense... more than SEGA being a maker of accessories in the game world...
Anyway, those are my basic reasons I like this idea and think it will renew my interest in playing more than a couple times a week. Some new missions, monsters and gear, (especially for unfinished lines) will/would too, but this is great! I haven't even read every detail by any means, but have many more personal and some more universal reasons I think this is a positive addition.
Hell, I LOVE Pokemon, so even if it's alramingly like that, cool: Awesome + awesome = uber awesome in my book. :P
So Nick, about the various bonuses and boons from level-up that you mentioned, how controllable are the factors that decide which stuff your pets get? Will we be able to delevel our sprites to try for a different bonus? (I just foresee whining in the future if the bonuses are random and unchangable.)
Also, thanks for comin' in and addressing player questions. ^_^