Lol that one is true. Since there's no normalized process anymore random buddies of story devs have way more knowledge and sway over story than OFs. It's more or less pointless to be an Official Faction if you want to influence story and systems.
When [RM] got taken out entire Sigma lines from ID and GMG rep got changed from -0.7 to NO LESS THAN -0.3, which even Navy and LSF don't have, the HC wasn't even consulted. Attempts to rectify were ignored completely. Activity potential was killed for the faction.
Or the Gaian event - one side had buddies on dev team, influenced it and knew it was happening well in advance and the other two including one OF had no idea a canon influencing event they got used for will even be happening before it started, much less asked what they thought about it. Navy Ofs had no idea there would be an invasion to Kansas/Vespucci and leaders were not contacted whatsoever.
Being an OF has little to no impact on whether you can influence story or not.
EDIT: Sub forum, perks etc. are still worth it, something to fight for, we'd log way less on less played factions and so would you if the 3 days are removed. But going for OF to influence story, or in many cases even control your own faction's rephacks hasn't been a thing since DWG got disbanded.