I'm going to rush in here with some observations and advice that I have collected being such an old player of the game.
The game could use more work. I joined this place like 4 years ago and honestly, it isn't that different from now. The most significant change robby has made in the time I have been here in my opinion is pubpads, and then water as a second. The game is geared more towards the people that spend thousands because their requests get fulfilled but not the other players. Sure that sounds selfish and I just sound childish but I can't name a single time someone that isn't a moderator or someone like kjh has gotten an item made for them (correct me if I'm incorrect). You've gained 4-14 people online at a time since the time I joined; which started at 0, not including yourself. If you added more plat items and items and an actual story it could reel people into your game to where they spend money. It may not be the fastest way, but at least give people a memorable experience whenever they play instead of "what's this ugly sand? What's this place? Where do I go what do I do?" I understand it's a sandbox but at least have some other quests other than "kill these zombies." I miss all of the people that I used to play with and the playerbase is too young right now for you to make any money. I'd say most of the people that play are around the age of 10 and don't have the money to even get any plat items in the game. Even if they did get plat somehow and they went to go make a town it's not like there's much space to make a town in the empty world, which is nicer because nothing gets in your way of building, other than other builds. I'm pretty sure when people make large maps with a story is because the game has no story and they just want something fun for players to experience. I spent many many hours playing this game over the course of 4 years and what I did when there was nothing else to do (about 90% of time in the game) I placed grass around my towns.
I remember when the game was a fun thing to do. You hung out with your friends and it was a good surprise when they actually got on, and you wanted to spend as much time with them. I can never see those same people anymore because they're long gone. They forget about your game. Is it the game, or am I just not 9 years old anymore? I am seriously concerned about the future of this game and what I'll lose when it's gone. I feel like it'll suffer the same fate as another game made famous by Kongregate called "Fantasy Online" and they sadly couldn't make enough money anymore and they closed all servers on January 1st '15 or '14. I fear that this will suffer the same fate. Who will be there when kjh is gone? You focused on the bare minimum when it comes to funding, and now as it comes to development. The community you entrusted the game's future in is now turning against you because you seem to have obtained the mindset of "the community will take care of the game." People have gotten bored of stuff to do in the game and so drama has become a thing. The community tied a noose around the game's neck and is about to put it's own neck in a noose.
You may have some unspoken plans that we don't know of, and if you do then I am sorry for all of the inconveniences I and the community have given you. I know your job is tough and the criticism may be harsh but it seems like the only way it's going to get through to you. Break the noose, Robby. Don't become dust.
Don't lock this thread, thanks♥
Yes I know there is it's own thread for it but I feel like this was more necessary since it doesn't appear that you pay attention to that thread anymore.