I cant imagine the difficulty in having to cater to new users for growth, while ensuring your dedicated audience is happy. Add in the fact that most users complain out of ignorance - be it lack of experience/understanding, or simply the bitterness of defeat - and it, well…Sucks!
So far, I feel you have done a very good job. The game is balanced and runs well. If anyones argument to that is (but insert build I would ask if you ever played a direct counter to that build? Because one exists).
This is why I am confident that the ridiculous offering on the test server will not be implemented.
I play front-facing hovers for two reasons: 1. I am simply too lazy to change my buttons, and 2. It does feel like an exploit.
In your attempt to fix this severe advantage/problem - I fear you are going too far and forgetting the above points. Most of the hover naysayers simply are inexperienced at dealing with them, and removing strafing hurts so many other movement parts (legs for example).
You now cannot avoid and aim at the same time. Your only option is simply just backpedaling if you wish to use any aiming.
Why cant we just mount hovers front/side? That fixes the severity of the advantage given to side hovers - while I admit not removing the advantage hovers offer.
However, adjusting the weight/mass of the hover themselves could balance them (if you feel any further balance is needed).
Hover Balance: I do feel hovers are balanced in that they are squishy, and slower than any offensive build. The main advantage to hovers lies when delivery of the weapons outweighs survive-ability (IE scorps). Hovers are tormented by dogs, creating a whole other issue. However, this dynamic actually accentuates team play!! Making the end-game much more viable and enriching.
As stated originally, I do not envy the task before you. Pleasing everyone usually ends is pleasing no one. But your proposed solution will strike at what I feel are the lasting engagements of this game.
- DK