As the source of this information, I thought it might be best if I came by with a final "resolution", as it were. Here is the latest, effective yesterday:
It's important to understand that Carbon is not distinguishing between forum, league, or any sort of private game with this policy, there's nothing in the "fine print" separating them. This is about refocusing their player base.
FIRST, the cuts will not be sweeping and across the board cuts (whether or not this is a change of heart on Carbon's part after the last day of forum chatter across the 'net, I can't say, but he made a point of mentioning to me just how loud all the affiliates and players across many forums were getting on this issue) but they will be severe, both starting in February and in the future. They are very adamant about affiliates focusing on their other promotions, such as Maximus, instead of having so many private games detracting from them.
For the record, I believe private games only help the exposure and play in those events, but that is Carbon's stance, and their prerogative.
SECOND, everything will run as normal through the end of January for all affiliates' private forum and league games. Some will experience drastic cuts on the 1st, some smaller cuts, and some can be expecting cuts down the road. It's happening; they're restructuring their company goals, and that's their direction.
As a forum with a HEAVY schedule in the Carbon client, mine will be one of those most effected by the new policy. Fortunately, word of this leaking caused quite a rumble throughout the
online poker world, and it seems the uproar has given them reason to revise it enough so that not ALL games will be affected. We will be dropping from 12 to 2 games per week, which, while drastic, is NOT the end of the world. I suspect other forums as affected will have similar experiences. That said, things don't look so bleak.
And for the record, I DON'T think Carbon Poker is disappearing anytime soon. Sure, they're making quite a few changes lately, but they are designed to strengthen their business model, and hopefully it works. More strong poker rooms are what we need, not less. Of course, we all fear change, and doomsayers await every opportunity to jump on each one, but if we remain level, we'll see it ain't so bad, after all...
Cheers, and good luck on the felt!