I've realized that after M2TW and even worse, Empire Total War the number of new potential members has decreased since the quality of the series has massively declined. No matter what a lot of those listed were going to leave the forums as they grew up and became more involved in their own lives especially after college and entering the workforce and raising a family.

We wouldn't be morning those who had left if we had a full replenishment of new people to participate and keep each other entertained. It's easier to forget your old friends when you have new friends to take their place easily.

We all know this (or are thinking it) but it needs to be said in public: the forum community and the total war community at large is in danger of shrinking to a fatal size if this next title fails and fails hard. Not only is the interest of the old members hinging on the strength of this Shogun sequel (remake I guess some would call) but if Shogun turns out to be another slow, unmodifiable behemoth that Empire is, new members wont bother investing their time here.

I predict that if Shogun 2 succeeds we will be fine for at least a year with long term benefits depending on how modding is implemented. If Shogun fails like Empire has, then I'm predicting our forum will experience a slow but noticeable anti-Eternal September that might eventually just leave maybe a few dozen on here and TWC with significantly less then now.

I could just be a pessimist when it comes to this though for all I know. I do miss FactionHeir though, he helped me begin modding M2TW when I first started browsing this forum and I don't recall thanking him.