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Oh and one final thing regarding the article generally (this is not directed specifically at the parent post) - the server mergers are basically necessary because, at launch, there were such serious server login queues that NCSoft rushed a couple of extra servers in to meet demand. So it's not like the game is dying. Even if they merge 4 or 5 or 6 servers, it will just be back to the number of servers they planned at launch anyway. A game does not have to be as popular as WoW with its hundreds of servers to be successful - it just has to turn a tidy profit. And Aion will continue to do so. It's not a game for everyone (due to the fact that, as mentioned, it IS a compromise between eastern and western elements). But I think it's the best new MMO out there right now, and it will tide me over until Diablo 3 comes out at least (yes, I know D3 isn't an MMO ... but it's the next major game I'm hanging for).

In my experience server merges are rarely a normalizing factor; instead they are symptomatic of the shrinking subscription pool of a dying game that cannot hold on to existing players and is unable through marketing or word of mouth to attract new replacements.

http://www.ncsoft.net/global/ir/quarterly.aspx

Aion's subscription base dropped significantly this past quarter and will likely continue to do so unless NCWest gets it's act together.

The shooter/car-carnage ratio is dangerously off scale.. gta is fun - but the softwarehouses keep churning out FPS'ers - We need weapons mounted on custom job-vehicles and fun bump'n run action.

NCSoft (folks behind City of Heroes, Lineage) is making a Road Warrior type MMO game. Can't find many details yet (I first heard about it in June's Computer Gaming World) but it looks like it might be what you're looking for.

Of course, if I had my way, it would be a stand-alone title with online play (like StarCraft, Half-Life, NWN) instead of a subscription-based MMO game. But it seems that more and more publishers are pushing subscription-based MMO titles.