The part that is unfair is simply the (GM) tag and the possible weight it throws around in conversations and chat channels. If you see anything with the (GM) tag in chat and you don't know the inner workings of the system (they are likely just forum mods), you are automatically going assume that they are official 'Game Masters' like all the other games we've played. We actually fell for it early in this beta when a person with the GM tag asked for an alliance with us. My immediate reaction was; "holy shit boys, we're going to be allied with a GM!!!." You can you see where this would immediately skew your decision making process...
Here are some of the unintended advantages that (GM)'s get. After talking with some of them, they would rather not even have the tag in game because they think it's unfair too.
GM recruiting for Cheap Albion Online Silver - new players are going to flock to that guild like crazy. Giving them a huge advantage on the recruiting front. I mean fuck... What new solo player wouldn't want to join THE GUILD THAT THE GM'S RUN!
Buying and Selling things over trade chat - Again, when uninformed people see a GM buying or selling things they are going to assume that it's a fair price (or maybe even better). Whenever I buy something from someone in trade chat I quickly check the popular markets to make sure the price is competitive. New player Bob is going to take the GM's word as gospel and potentially pay more for the item. This gives said GM a huge advantage when playing the markets. (I've seen it happen first hand
)Alliance and politcal relations - Following the trend, new guilds will make false assumptions when a GM asks if they want to join their alliance.
I'm sure there are easy enough solutions for this, simply remove the GM tag from moderator players and just have them on actual Game Masters/Devs. But for the time being, there is a huge social advantage to having the (GM) tag attached to your name in the chat channels.