EQ1 didn't have the competition early on that EQ2 does, which helped it establish a strong community. The expected growing pains of a new MMORPG have unsurprisingly driven off some of the early addopters of EQ2. Obviously the most loyal fans of the franchise are still playing EQ1, those that jumped ship to EQ2 are likewise more inclined to jump ship to a competing product or go back to EQ1 if less than thrilled with EQ2.
And of course people's real life priorities change. Dedicating enough leasure time to see real progress in EQ2 can become an iffy proposition the older you get (up untill you retire).
We'll miss ya Taco, you deffinetly made an impact here
