This game is supposed to be all about the real cash economy and the flow of goods. Instead, this game seems to be appealing more to the common gambler. The large ATHs are the carrot, and I think the only thing keeping this economy afloat right now are the people chasing after that.
As soon as those gambler types burn out on the game, you're left with people that have super efficient skills and gear that live off the game, withdrawing peds out of the economy, and the non-depositing sweaters to sell them ME.
With efficient and smart play, and good money and mathematics skills, you should be able to at least break even or turn a small profit. That's how this game should work. MA should be a near invisible hand in this universe. The winners and losers should be decided in the game of markup, not in the game between MA and the players. But if you look at the way players talk, it's all about MA vs. the players.
I consider myself a smart player. I plan everything out VERY carefully. But none of this careful planning or efficient play, or being able to sell 95% of my goods at or above markup has allowed me to profit or break even from the three professions. In fact, I can tell you that since November 29th, I've had an 82.5% TT return rate on money spent (which does not include defensive costs, but those are extremely minimal anyways...).
It is impossible to profit with that type of return. Hell, it's impossible to BREAK EVEN with that type of return. Think about all the stuff we get in our hunting loots. The majority of it is oils, wools and hides, with very low markup. Another good chunk is ammo that has NO markup. Now our loot has been divided even more with this enhancer garbage that has very little markup, and doesn't sell very well, even if listed below markup. You end up with a very small portion of loot that really has any decent type of markup.
Same goes for mining. Half the loot is oil and lyst which completely sucks down the average markup you find from anything decent. Then it seems whenever I go to an area that has predominately things with decent markup, the TT return rate falls through the floor.
Crafting is... well, crafting. We all know how that goes. Every study I've seen that tracked the three professions over a given period of time shows crafting as giving the worst TT returns. My own data shows me the same thing. I always found it odd that the profession that should give the best returns, because it keeps the economy flowing, actually does the opposite.
I find myself slowly coming to a point where I'm losing faith in this game. But not because of my own results. But because I know how these results will reflect on the player who may be a little less inclined. Not every player wants to take up trading and sweating just to stay afloat. But it seems more and more like that's the only way to truly get by in this game.
But if you increase the return rate (or even out the up and down swings) you would have less people resorting to trading and sweating. I would think it would encourage more people to deposit as well, since they feel like it's more of an investment. I would certainly feel more comfortable doing so. As it is right now, I feel I've deposited enough into this game. If I can't get by on that, then there is no point. Because this game is not just entertainment. There are MUCH better, more entertaining games I can play for $20 a month. Since this game has the RCE, and real money can be made, this game is an investment. And if I can't get any type of return on my money, then this is a poor investment, and it will not be receiving any more funds from me.