DanceNumbernykaptironically servers that change the game's mechanics considerably are the most popular onesThis is a really good point. Do u think when the first no random crit pubs were introduced people were worried about it dividing the pub playerbase?
really makes you think
I actually do remember this being an issue back when I helped out with -The Drunken Brawl-.
DB1, DB2 were vanilla and DB3 was nocrits/nospread. We bassically had to admin stack DB3 with 8 or more people to keep that server populated, where as the vanilla ones were always doing well. There were many internal discussions about closing down DB3 due to hosing costs.
That said at this point in the games life who knows? Maybe a clean and well done promod might even bring some people back who've moved on to other games. A fresh coat of paint if you will.
Iirc sergers with no crits or spread would not be eligible for people joining via quick play so that’s probably why you didn’t get as many players