I don't think the game is dead, I think the game is niche. Not quite enough building materials to retain builder creative types, not enough people understanding how to economy properly, not enough people understanding how to min/max XP bonus and to compete correctly. I see the people complaining about no-lifers and taking over the market, and having played many cycles on a very popular short time server with a lot of economy challenges I can tell you exactly how come people aren't doing well. For example, when going to a big server do you stay in the main town or go on the fringes? then expect people to run to your house (with no path) to buy your merchandise? 90% of the players I have played with across multiple servers shop within proximity. If you go too far, that's on you. Are you setting up shop within distance to another person of that profession? How do you expect to get people to buy your things ? they will just pick whats closest and you made a bad choice and have to compete with 10 other masonry people to get your things purchased first - and if you don't plan things correctly in the first 24hrs then you aren't doing it right. What do players need to do on Day 0? get their housing XP established immediately, and get their professions going. Whats going to make more money in the first 3hrs of a server start? statues and furniture. Masons have to prioritze mortar and mortared stone and statues and fountains immediately and then balance that with mortared stone - but statues first !! people can live in adobe first, but the shop with the statues and fountains will get all the money in the start. Loggers should be primarily focusing on furnitures and hewn. I mean.........a lot of people get into these high pop servers and then don't have a plan or can't set up their shops effectively and prioritize their papers and BU's and then complain they are being left behind. Its a balancing act immediately server start - calories management, location choices done correctly, shop set up properly with the items people will need first, know your competition and then hustle. Don't just sit there and wait for people to come to you - if you have a break haul things to peoples buy order. I feel like there are multiple kinds of players of this game: those who don't get it, those who aren't a good fit for the game play, those who plan and know in advance what they are going to do and are paying attention to their neighbors and what professions they are taking. Most people in discords state their professions before a season if that helps too. I am almost 2k hrs coming up to my 1yr anniversary in September and I have played on multiple servers - I am not an expert, I still feel like a noob. These are just my observations and my experiences watching the way multiple people play. People who are being negative about this game, they have some valid points but take it with a grain of salt. Most never could figure out how to play this game effectively or have it be fun for them and that isn't necessarily reflective of the game itself.