In that case i of course would volunteer to buy them all and secure a minimum value - economies regulate themself as long as capital isnt shifted abroad
John, I think you were spot on. You realised a positive return on the CLD's when in your view an opportunity to buy them cheaper may yet be on the horizon. This is business. This is a RCE. Supposed economic masters ride the wave up and often fall off at the end instead of getting off at more comfortable time because really they lack foresight and are not astute at all.
It is a long race the RCE in this game. I will guarantee you the Rabbit will not win.
Back to what I think the OP was talking about. Some of my opinions on the game.
1. GFC killed off some avatars. Other Economic issues abound. Lose your job you can't afford to play.
2. Time has killed off some avatars or natural attrition or disinterest. Whatever you favour.
3. Some Avatars have really died in Real life. This is normal. We all must face what life brings and some must move on from the game, literally.
4. New games come. I have spent some 140 hours on BF3. Pretty good value at 50c per hour there. Been a lot of new releases in past 12 months.
5. Planets and places. Same fish in a bigger pond. So we thin out. So less at Twins.
6. CryEngine. High hardware requirements and bugs led to some leaving. Though today a basic GFX will play EU easy.
I still think this game lacks a starter pack. You should be able to pick this game up off the shelf (so no download needed, apart from patches) for say $50-100. In the pack you should get a basic armour set, like pixie, basic weapon, basic Fap, some mining gear, a basic vehicle, a bp book with starter BP. And a modest ped balance. You need this primer to get really started in the game to enjoy what the game has to offer. Sitting round sweating isn't going to attract people to stay.