having this feature is really important to me, id like to be able to join others online, talk, show off and compare weapons and gear.
as the game stands now, i wouldn't play the multiplayer at anything other than a lan party. why get invested in a character when you only get to play him for a few hours? i love the idea of having multiplayer in this game, i really do but i feel like its current state online multiplayer just gives a random control over one of my character and local multiplayer is just a substitute to handing over the controller when it's my mates turn.
please give us the ability to import a custom character either automatically (your custom character is imported when you join if you have a free party slot) or manually by separating the character files so they can be sent.
most of the problems that arise are really just hand holding problems. for example, are you getting one-shot by enemies? probably shouldn't have joined your level 9 friend with a brand new character...
point is, even if problems arise i would still prefer to have the choice. i bought this game to play with friends as well as solo, while its shortcomings are not a deal breaker it certainly makes it painful to play with them. especially when i had to tell my friend he couldn't use his character he started with.
