Let's face it, everyone AFK's at some point. There are those that do it more than others, but any rational person takes advantage of the feature whenever they need to step away from their PS3 for fifteen minutes. We do it because we still believe in Dust's future and want to be in a preferable position when all that promise finally arrives.

What I'm noticing recently, however, is that people are stating here and elsewhere that they can no longer be bothered to even AFK. The player count not hitting over 6k this weekend kind of confirms that this is true as opposed to hot air, and to add to this you'll find more and more AFK'ers in the MCC. I interpret that latter observation to mean that now our active players are also on the path to eventually leaving.

The problem is that the connection between Dust and EVE is so shallow as to effectively not exist. What we're left with is then a normal shooter that needs much improvement. In such a situation the players will naturally bleed out to other normal shooters that play better. Frankly, despite the claims that Dust is unique, it is not so currently. It COULD be unique and it COULD be retaining its playerbase despite needing improvement IF conflict was meaningful. After all, for many years EVE retained and increased its population despite it myriad problems precisely because the pew pew really meant something.

CCP, you're understandably wary of fast-tracking the connection between Dust and EVE because you're afraid you might break one or the other or both. However, if you want Dust to survive you need to take a leaf out your own book and realise that those that take few risks reap few rewards. Your internal magazine is called "Fearless" is it not? It's time for you to live up to that name, or else watch this game die faster than you can iterate safely.

Let's face it, everyone AFK's at some point.

ive never afked ever in this game

you sir are just weak.

Or maybe game just improves in time and not care about game making instantly millions of dollars?

From what I've read Eve istelf was pretty rough for the first while as well and as far as CCP are concerned Eve still isn't "the finished article" 10 years later.

I doubt there are many game devs that are still patching and improving their games 10 years after release. Yes, Dust has lots of flaws but I hope that CCP will eventually get rid of them. It's just a matter of being patient. I'm not interested in the likes of CoD who release a "new" game every year and charge people $60 for a couple of minor differences. I would rather put some money into a work in progress type of game like Dust, and yes I have spent money in Dust to buy the special packs like the Merc Pack and so on.

I hope CCP aren't posting on the forums because they are too busy trying to fix the game. I could be wrong of course . . .

I was in EVE on release day and indeed it was pretty rough around the edges. However, there is a big difference between the first days of EVE and Dust. In EVE we had meaningful PvP and PvE, basic missions, a reasonable complement of different ships and weapons, and an entire universe to go off and claim.. We can't go anywhere in Dust except the handful of maps they've given us, we can't do PvE content, we can't explore to our hearts content and lay claim to that empty backend system.. Only the same few maps, using the same few suits and weapons, endlessly :(

E3 saw a drop in numbers not q rise their are so many games that does Dust514 better. For example Bf2142.

Maybe all the Devs said "Screw this" and are working on EVR.. Honestly that looks like a much cooler game then Dust, and the direct link to EVE is extremely obvious.

But then again... They are having Dragon Boat festival..... Whatever that is.

I see the AUR division is still pumping out stuff though. Even creating extended down times to add items to the store. What kind of system is that?

I also believe that many of these anti-dust/negative forum posts are being posted by the compitition. Anyone who believes otherwise, I have a bridge to sell you.

[quote=Smiley McCloud]I also believe that many of these anti-dust/negative forum posts are being posted by the compitition. Anyone who believes otherwise, I have a bridge to sell you.

A more significant connection EvE isn't the key to player retention.

It's all in the gameplay.