i was glad to see Tarquinus start this topic. i'm not particularly well-known in the realm, Mourn's a bit of a jerk/loner, but i also noticed that some people are a little more down on the game than they were last summer, when i played under a different character.
i can understand vets getting a tad down because things aren't new and shiny anymore. the first book/movie in a series is always the best because it introduces you to the world and makes you love it. many people have stated that our ability to shape the world is what sets this game apart. we decide which way the story turns, we determine whether or not MD grows. if you don't like the way things are going, find a way to change it.
the other thing that sets this game apart is the community. there is a collection of really intelligent people in MD. a great deal of creative people. very different personalities brought together, each very good at something. whether it be finding and exploiting bugs or creating beautiful and engaging stories. together, there is definitely a way to overcome a lot of the problems, but it requires people to work to find a solution.
as an aspiring writer and amateur artist, MD has helped me a great deal, it's why i stay. my word of advice to anyone getting down is to step away from the game for a bit and figure out why you loved it so much to begin with. come back when your batteries are recharged and you have some fresh ideas that can help the game grow in a direction you want it to. truthfully, it's the best way to show your appreciation to MD.
go team.