[imported_Smurtle]

You also need to look at it from another point-of-view. I keep seeing that "look at it this way," but no one is looking at it from another way themselves. Those large shards really aren't PVP based. They'll have a system, most likely an OSI type, which is fun, and that's it. They focus on the game entirely, not just one aspect. They make events, concepts, and items come to life. PvP, is my favorite thing, but it's limited. You fight. You die. That's the totality of it all. I don't think skill gain should be impossible, and you keep pulling what other shards are doing into it. They limit your skills, thus you have faster gains.

Comparing a PvP based shard to other more versatile, non-PvP focused communities is a luster-lacking point. They're different as apples and oranges. Most of the people here come into this wanting fast gains, easy shit, and fighting. Fun stuff, but it's not the focus. I'm sure the creators here liked the fighting, but they also liked SOMETHING else to do.

And people quit UO because there are just better things to do than work so hard and then the shard is taken down once you're done. The best way to stop a bad habit is to stop being around influences.;/

My take.