Unfortunately, 90%+ of my friends have all vanished in the last 5 years, within UO. They dont come on ICQ. They dont return emails. Sometimes, someone will pop up? I wont know who they are until they remind me. I've known maybe a thousand people in 17 years, connected to the game. Life gets busy!
It gets depressing. Checking out friend's homes... and they are gone. Some say a clear farewell. Most do not. Some... houses stand for years and years without a sign of life. As long as the accounts are paid. I just dont understand why you would dish out 50$+ a month out and never enjoy what you worked years to build. It happens! It sucks.
I also think if the price to play was cut in half we'd see a mass return... but I could be wrong. I dont know. Wish I did! All you have to do is look around here and see how high the population has shrank.