Making it open season would probably kill of any remaining RP and that is the only niche we have, to lessen it would probably finish Disco off.
I honestly don't believe changes to the rules would help activity, naturally there is always room for improvement but as it stands the rules are in a pretty good place.
The biggest problem I think is the community, for a game that relies upon folks meeting each other we're a pretty hostile bunch, riddled with egotism, self-interest and drama enough to fill a dozen soap operas. The mentality alone is misguided, just take a look at any of the Pirates/Traders threads and you'll see what I mean, there is almost no thought of consideration to the other player but tons of arguments about rules and balance.
That is closely followed by apathy, those who want activity but refuse to make it, sitting on skype or in conn awaiting a call to arms all the while bemoaning how good Disco used to be.
Finally the stubborn, the few diehards who refuse to accept the slightest change that may actually result in a positive outcome because it isnt in line with "their" RP.
Also a slight movement in storyline wouldn't go wrong, the cartoon villain has been twiddling its mustache for far too long.
