I guess when it all boils down, the thing we keep coming back to is mods. If they're not creative and not being proactive in getting things started and progressing, then, when mixed with the repetitiveness of starting a new character in a 'new' place that is exactly the same, players just lose interest. Or don't even try to begin with.
It's also then a matter of finding a concept and setting that is unique enough to make things exciting again, but not too different and out there either, as people are generally pretty lazy and not likely to put in much research effort.
In other words, we're all doomed!
LOL.
What's your take on canon characters? As in the mods design characters pivotal to the plot to be picked up and played. I'm not really a huge fan (I generally find them pretty restrictive and cookie-cutter bland and not characters that I'd be interested in playing) but I do like the idea of key player suggestions.
Running with the Wild West theme, for instance...
I'd hate to see 'This character has this PB, and this is their name and this is their job and they have these two qualities'.
But, I'd love to see something like:
Sherrif: Male. Mid 50's. Walks with a limp. Upholds the law. Is convinced the blacksmith murdered his brother.
Blacksmith: Male. Early thirties but life is hard. Likes chewing tobacco. May or may not have murdered their older brother. Doesn't have a good relationship with the Sherrif.