I disagree that NI has only one way to play. It is possible that you may only see one way commonly, but that does not mean it is the only way to play.
You definitely see monopolization of rare items like that in other games with small communities. I agree that it isn't pleasant, but it also isn't unique.
I agree that most changes would require a change from the ground up, which is something that isn't really possible with the current available manpower. This is also related to the part about major updates - there haven't been many, you are right. The last "major" update was well over a year ago, not including beginner mode which added nothing to end-game.
I like the idea of reworked quests making actual lore for the game. It may even be cool to have map based lore. However, this is all up to whether or not someone is willing to put in the effort for it.
I'm retired. I just do the occasional bugfix that people ask me for and discuss things on the forum because that is all I can be bothered to do. I can't speak for the developer team and their opinions on what can and cannot change and what they are willing to put in the effort to change, but I think one thing does need to be remembered - NI has no profit whatsoever, people are actually losing money to make it run. The people that do put in their time to develop for the game do so when their own personal lives allow for it. It isn't fair to compare it to AAA games with paid developers and paid DLCs and then be upset when it is found lacking, and I certainly don't think that makes it "dead." The very fact that there have been so many posts stating as much for well over 5 years now means their accuracy is limited and is more of an opinion shared by some than a fact known by many.
I like that you have shared your opinions on places the mod is lacking and I even agree, at least in part, on most of them, but I don't care for your assertion that the mod is dead because there are things people don't like about it.
You definitely see monopolization of rare items like that in other games with small communities. I agree that it isn't pleasant, but it also isn't unique.
I agree that most changes would require a change from the ground up, which is something that isn't really possible with the current available manpower. This is also related to the part about major updates - there haven't been many, you are right. The last "major" update was well over a year ago, not including beginner mode which added nothing to end-game.
I like the idea of reworked quests making actual lore for the game. It may even be cool to have map based lore. However, this is all up to whether or not someone is willing to put in the effort for it.
I'm retired. I just do the occasional bugfix that people ask me for and discuss things on the forum because that is all I can be bothered to do. I can't speak for the developer team and their opinions on what can and cannot change and what they are willing to put in the effort to change, but I think one thing does need to be remembered - NI has no profit whatsoever, people are actually losing money to make it run. The people that do put in their time to develop for the game do so when their own personal lives allow for it. It isn't fair to compare it to AAA games with paid developers and paid DLCs and then be upset when it is found lacking, and I certainly don't think that makes it "dead." The very fact that there have been so many posts stating as much for well over 5 years now means their accuracy is limited and is more of an opinion shared by some than a fact known by many.
I like that you have shared your opinions on places the mod is lacking and I even agree, at least in part, on most of them, but I don't care for your assertion that the mod is dead because there are things people don't like about it.