Yes. That theory was one theory, about the shard bound items, that it will keep them on the different shards.
NOW however, the writing on the wall is that lots of people if not ALL, will develop characters in ATL, and play those during these shard bound item events! Or those that can xfer chars there, will DO so and stay there for these evets. So that they can sell these items very much far easier. Not complaining here, and my 2 stam epps are not ATL bound, neither the invasion plans I got. But lots of folks are talking about MOVING their game to ATL next few weeks/months. So the fear is that low pop shards will get even deader for the most part. And that the "mall" will get even more populated.
Flip side of this, imagine doing Deceit event items competing with 15-20 other players, vs competing with 150 or so others in ATL. In ATL you will have to wait till 3:00 AM when less people are on, maybe? However 3:00 AM in the US may be prime time elsewhere, and there still could be lots of players on doing the same thing.
It will be interesting to see how population dynamics play into this esp. with new folks, trying to make some UO gold.
Also, if the rewards are junk, this will affect it also. From Deceit stuff, other than deco, the only 2 items that were decent for most players were the stam eps, and perhaps the Katakotl ring for some people, and possibly the Serp Jawbone, other stuff not too hot.
Its a hard thing to say, but the only thing that could "normalize" x-shard items, is first to get rid of shard bound property, and same time make gates to ALL SHARDS, that allow you to cross anywhere for a price. That would neutralise or reduce the power of the Shields, that could still be able to be used by their owners for free, as it is now. Any subscribing player would be able to xshard anywhere for a price that is attainable. Make it the less years the more price etc. Or open it for free, completely. This may destabilize some markets like the Real Estate sellers that sell for mint in ATL, etc. But possibly help the game overall, and increase its longevity.
We will have to wait and see what happens.
**Slowly goes to a quiet, dark corner and hides under a table, to avoid the onslaught of missile objects, and rotten tomatoes and vegies coming this way..**