This is true. Although there might be some way to turn it back to FUN. With gold/real money/statuses being almost wworthless, and in so many ways worthless, the game looks headed to the trash disposal, with a pusillanimous "crime city" community. No disrespect to anyone, but it's like that.
- "Smart" Hackers being turned in with proof, BUT, they spend too much money to be safe (there's rats in the whole)
- You can be robbed by -12m stats at some point, which means that you're not getting your money's worth, it's a legal scam. Make them think they stronger and that they need to get stronger but will never be strong (which was a fundamental part of the game when it started).
- Add that to the current rival list that shows 80% of players with similar statuses and 20% with players of similar IPH.
Why play? The only aspect there is which is not as important as GOLD/Money/Stats, is the social aspect. That won't save the game. I'll start playing for free until Gree employees stop freeloading their spots in the company and fix this (if its their bosses decision that the game is as it is, then there's nothing to do). Perhaps you should do the same, that'll be their wake up call.
Palringo/Groupme/Etc have been saving the game this whole time really, and the reason I haven't quit completely.