I've pretty much given up on the beta. Balance, fun, drive, etc-- pretty much all long gone for me in the beta.
Doesn't mean I don't have high hopes for live.
The people still playing on the beta are the poo that stuck to the bowl. I include myself in this, of course.
And a few hardcore players who aren't poo. I don't include myself in that group.
A few nice players who aren't poo. Not me.
This is a meta game. I think I'm jaded and lost my way a little bit from when I was a Role player back in the day.
I remember Ultima Online when it was new. We had undead attacking the cities. We leveled up our toons. We fought reds, and later I became a red pking people, but not losing my role player background. Having a sense of purpose-- claim territory, help the guild, make our name known, etc. Siege Perilous, perilous adventurers guild. Those were the days. Angel Island, private server run by Adam Ant-- I was Relvinian/Edmonde/Lamorak, and a somewhat notorious pk, named Norbert.
Then on Andred, first time in daoc. PVP server. Fighting everyone, including some guilds who came to the "new" game from Siege Perilous.
Gareth, early on then all the way to Labyrinth 1.87. It was fun and it was new. I wasn't an expert. I still sucked, unlike now when im both a vet and suck.
Let me bottom line this:
We need to tell better stories if we want a community and the server to thrive. We need something we are missing and I hope that live supplies it.
Remember that this only beta, so the focus is on testing and balancing right now, but the only advice I can offer to you and to people who are wavering is to... "Be the change you want to see in the world".
We shouldn't pin our hopes that the devs, or the community managers, or our guild leaders can deliver a great community with lots of engaging stories to tell. That is on us. If we want strong communities, then let's make them! If we want engaging stories, then let's tell them! If we want respectful interactions with our fellow players, then be respectful. If we want good friends and a nurturing environment, then be friendly and tolerant. We will attract what we feed, and we reap what we sow.
We are diminished as a community when good people like you leave, and I am gladdened to know that you'll be back on live. Hopefully, you'll get the itch and join us for a spell once i50 right and truly lands. Until then, my brother, may the light of Arthur shine on you wherever you trod.