As much as I enjoy Tree of Savior the gradual player decline is expected and makes sense.
While TOS is improving there is still so much that needs to be done. There is still balance, optimisation, lack of end game content, lack of non-combat activity, lack of mid game content, a mostly unrewarding levelling process, lack of variety in meaningful gear, bugs, under utilized features and more. What we’re seeing is a decline in almost every demographic of player. Some players may leave because of balance problems, other hit end game and felt like there was nothing to do, some may be repulsed due to AFK farming or Leticia cubes, others with optimisation and bugs, many stuck in the levelling process leave too. The point is TOS needs to improve in so many ways to have an overall player increase, and a higher retention. People want to like TOS, it just needs more meaningful, well thought out content to do.
I think fishing is a perfect example of a good idea that could have been significantly better implemented. Fishing could have meant the beginning of a profession system. There could have been a separate levelling process, it could have been made to be a reaction time based feature, with unique fishing spots throughout the entire world, unique and farmable bait, titles, achievements, upgradable rods, gimmicks, special items, and more. But it wasn’t that. It’s a mostly bland feature. While I would call it a positive feature, it could have been better, and it likely will turn out to be better, it just needs more time.
That’s what IMC is doing, they are gradually improving TOS, they are reworking core aspects. The Adventure Journal will now be more than just prestige, it will offer tangible benefits and be competitive. World Bossing gives end game equipment, the balance problems continue to be addressed. As always, it’s a concern over time line. I find myself more eagerly waiting for the KTEST patch notes than I do for our own, because even when we do get our updates, it’s still not enough.
I continue to enjoy TOS, and I continue to have hope for it, but there is still improvements to be made.