Prof_Arkayne

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especially when level 50s are in the minority of overall game players.

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That's right. Even at this stage, they're still the minority. And you know why? Because the old ones have quit.

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And some who have quit will likely reactivate their accounts when new content comes out. *shrug*

I don't think they'll ever be a time when level 50s (or whatever top-level cap) are going to be in a majority. It's all cyclical - while there are some that leave the game for whatever reason (bored, waiting for new content, whatever), level 40 characters are slowly making their way to the 50's, while their is still an influx of low-level characters.

Cryptic already has plans for high-level content, starting with the epic-level archetypes (which conceptually sounds pretty darn cool). And if you've read comics and/or have spoken with Statesman, you KNOW that there's are going to be a lot more epic-level adventures (other dimensions, underwater, outer space, etc.). BUT, these things take time, and will likely be implemented when the overall consumer demand is at its peak (i.e. when the majority of long-time subscribers have started reaching the higher-level character levels).

So, until certain development and consumer demand thresholds are met, the improvements and content additions will be occurring slowly over the next year or so (guided by fan feedback), and nothing can really change that (including the perceived mass exodus of players whose main character has reached level 50)!

Think about it terms of the subscriber base and the availability of dev resources. The majority of the subscribers are NOT at level 50 right, nor are they predominantly level-grinders that can achieve that status within the course of a week or two. So it makes sense that the devs are going to focus on fixing any issues and adding some new material to the low-to-mid level gameplay, since it affects the majority of players. The fact that they have already started adding epic-level archetypes for high level play is awesome, and I give them kudos for that.

It's not realistic to assume that the devs are going to rush to put out new content and raise level caps when characters hit their development ceilings, mainly because there's ALWAYS going to be players that have the leisure time to level-grind their way to the top in a very short time (which, I believe is akin to dumping out all the sweet crunchy cereal goodness just to get to the prize at the bottom), and then demand "more content!".

Personally, I'm more interested in the devs focusing on deeper storylines, more dynamic content and different ways to develop your character rather than providing more straw men for 50 levels to stomp through so they can get to 60. That isn't saying that level 50s don't have a legitimate desire to want more content, it's just unrealistic to expect immediate gratification after reaching the pinnacle of character achievement within the game, especially when level 50s are in the minority of overall game players.