The more numbers a place has, the more go to it. People join because it's popular or want to interact with plenty of people. At the same time, there's far more fun with more people.
If we had thousands of people on the server at the time, it would be utterly fantastic, rivaling EVE in terms of actual player density. (Remembering that EVE is rather..massive.)
But alas, I doubt Freelancer would ever get that much attention unless someone actually bought the rights to the game and did it up professionally like EVE.
Looks like it all comes to popularity. Bad thing crossfire is not so popular.
It have some brilliant ideas there. Beside improved graphics, new weapons and systems that is nice to have there are some key game play issues. I mean dynamic interaction with the game. This is then game flow can be changed by the players who play it. Really bad thing Discovery didn't adopted this strategy. I believe this is the future of online games.
Dunno how hard it is to code but it would be great to have it here - dynamic economy and ability to conquer bases, systems.
Dynamic economy makes game much more realistic and challenging. And what about the second thing ...
Well I play this online game for the second time and I'm geting again to the same thing. After you worked a few days/weeks and got all the equipment/ships you wanted the game become clueless.
What really can you do? Stay in NY for hours waiting some pirates will dare to get there looking for troubles. Or pray the rhenlanders will get united and attack Liberty. Even RP won't save you, then you stay for hours in vain. Played for other faction and It's the same thing. After some point there is no much sense to continue. IT'S BORING PEOPLE!
Some global wars for systems, stations, domination would really make this game better. And add some quests like most MMORG's have for diversity.
This game really need more entertainment. It's good only for first 2 weeks of play. After that you enter it if you have nothing better to do.
Please, developers of Discovery and Crossfire contact each other and make a one great online game.