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I think it is still a little premature to think the game is dying. If anything, then I'd think this game has a freakishly large playing population for how new it is, how buggy it is, how limited the scope of the content is, and most of all for the serious interdiction of what would be considered fairly normal communications for any other MMOG. However, I don't know that it is going to be what the company wanted from it either.
For me, the underlying question is can a company be wealthy enough, and well branded enough, to demand a share of rewards of a rapidly mainstreaming MMO market. The rest of the question is can that particular company ever be flexible enough with its brand identity to let an MMO go where it needs to go in terms of communications between players. I don't think it will die, but it could quite easily lose its entire mature gamer base and become relegated to being just another game for children.
None of these games really has enough content for the hardcore gamer. I think eventually all of these MMOGs are going to have to accept that. I think they're ultimately going to have to go back to rating their own content in terms of a number of hours, and then highlight the emergent uses of the game world that are developed by the player base.
These games with free access are the best positioned for that because they allow for "retired" players to return occasionally to spend time with old friends, and then the old friends can talk up the content that has been added since the "retired" player left. Even the bugs and lag were revealed by trying out the free version, so I was prepared it all.
Due to the wide age range they are enticing to play this game, they have chosen to hamper communications for the safety of the youngest segment of the player demographic. However, the problem with that is that the key to keeping each individual customer for a longer period is to make them feel connected to "old friends" primarily, or entirely, through the game. I think the trial period should be sufficient to signal to the hardcore gamer that they should try out the 1 month for half-price before deciding anything long term, and that one month should see them close to "maxed out" and so in good position to decide their next move.
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