Well, I think there are many good reasons to play WereWolf. I quite enjoy the game, though I haven't played in probably about a year. There's the black humor, the suspense, intrigue, and suspicion, the refreshing complexity of working with (or against) some very intelligent people in a unique setting...
I wasn't driven away by a lack of variety. I wasn't scared off by the rumors of people taking it too seriously (in fact, I never encountered a situation like that, in any of the games I played!). I don't shy away from friendly competition, either.
In fact, the one reason I've stayed away is because I am, like Boro, Phantom, Fea, and probably many others, suddenly too busy for it. I have barely even been on the 'Downs at all lately (something I am trying to fix), to say nothing of having the free hours it would take to play. College is getting in the way. Being a theater major can mean twelve-hour days. I'm not complaining, since it's the life I've chosen for myself...but it does make participating here in any valuable capacity difficult.
There's also the fact that I live in an inconvenient time zone for most of the games I actually participated in (I'm in EST, and these things start and end either in the middle of class or late at night, it seems). This means I'd either miss voting entirely, or have to vote absurdly early, neither of which is constructive toward a good game experience for me or anyone else.
When piled onto my timezone, class, and theater schedule, another commitment of any kind just begins to sound like
work, which isn't the attitude I'd want to approach this game with, either.
I am, however, hoping that there will be a game over winter break that I can take part in. In spite of all my real life issues (and the stress the game itself generates--just kidding!), WW is a lot of *fun* and I'd be sorry to see it go. I won't have work or class or theater. In short, I won't know what to do with myself, so I might as well play.
I think a return to the basics might do WW good, as Fea mentioned.
*A smaller number of players would mean a shorter game, and less reading, which makes it possible for people with more time constraints perhaps more able to play.
*A return to the basic rules with basic roles (werewolves, a ranger, a seer, and your common innocent villagers), might do well, too, in terms of making it accessible to all. That's not to say I don't *like* new ideas--I played the dueling wizards game, one of the lovers games, as well as the one with all the families in which I flirted with Phantom. Yes, that's how I categorize it. Heh. All were great fun...but a return to the basics really does have a certain charm.
*I'll deviate a bit and say a start/end time that I can deal with. It's not even a morning thing. I'm just not able to stay up until 3 am to cast my vote...regardless of the late hour as I post this.
*And who doesn't want a good death scene? When I get lynched by my misunderstanding fellow innocents, I want to go out in a true ironic style, snickering to myself at the sheer frustration and black humor of it all.
That said, I'm probably not going to be too picky about the game I join as winter break draws closer. I'm seriously going through WW withdrawal. My life could use a little suspense right now.
In fact, if the mod-list allows, I think a home for the holidays, back to the basics sort of game might be a good one to generate interest. Perhaps it could even help unite the old crowd with the new. Just a thought. I have no idea how it would work out.
People are complaining about the formulaic nature that is suddenly appearing. Perhaps it's just helpful to remind everyone that it's a game, and the nature of WW is that it is exactly as fun, exciting, twisty, and suspenseful as you make it. *shrug* Just a thought.
Sorry for the long ramble. It's clearly past my bedtime. :P