http://www.havenandhearth.com/forum/vie ... 70#p404429 , see jorb's post.
Although I must admit, It isn't clear from jorb's post, if it's already implemented, or just a thought. I didn't bother reading the other 90 pages after that, maybe some more clarity is to be found there.
It would mean, people can't start out playing together anymore. And meeting up would involve lots of walking, getting killed by bears, starting over, getting killed by bears more, probably.
current server stats for H&H:
169 hearthlings playing
lag-o-meter: 1084.5
1084.5 o_0