Honestly, I wish more people would post more threads like this in such a calm and orderly way. Kudos all around for ye.
I very much agree with many of your points, remarkably about the game's loss of color, as you put it. I was scarcely active in game as of when I rejoined the forum after my first hiatus (which was late 2015/early 2016 around there). It just got redundant. Sittin' around, waitin' for a friendly face; and either they too became inactive, or I was just too shy to approach them. The hackin' situation took it to another level. With the server bein' down so long, as well as the addition of the new login system, many people, whether young or not-involved with the community, were simply led to the false belief that a. their game was broken, or b. the game had at long last shut down. In the "recovery" months, and pretty much everythin' up until the update, the game seemed on its death bed. Nearly all the maps were empty, or without public discussion or "joinable" conversation. I was on the verge of lettin' go of the game entirely before the update.
Personally speakin', I love the update. Yes, it may not seem "traditional," or similar to the usual Feralheart feel, but it wasn't a bad thing in my opinion. However, despite the massive spike in popularity, many people were still unhappy, and even loyal members who stuck through the hackin' situation and the dyin' community were driven to leave.
Even now, I feel the game is slowin' down again. Not nearly as badly as it had before, but still, I can feel it comin' on soon.
Anyways, onto the topic of staff. Before I say anythin' else, I personally am more than contented with the Feralheart staff. I may not agree with every decision, but they are all pleasant people, and I admire their constant involvement with the community.
Now, that bein' said, I do, however, agree that they can be dauntin' to approach or speak to. Although I have considered many staff members, new n' old, pleasant acquaintances, and in a few cases, even friends. Although this may just be my social anxiety and agoraphobia speakin', I'm honestly have a respectful fear of a few. I do not dislike them at all. Couldn't be further from the truth. But I can't help but feel wary when speakin' to them. I suppose it could just be my mind bein' all paranoid about the "never meet yer heroes" expression.
They hold a great power that is both respectable, and enforcable. I look up to and admire them all for that. Especially keepin' calm in some nasty situations.
Although, I do see the reasons for lockin' or deletin' or bannin' certain topics/users. Anarchy is all fun n' games until someone loses an eye. That's what they're tryin' to prevent, I believe. It's not easy to be likable and fun, as they have no doubt achieved, yet keep order without endin' discussions n' the like. I will admit, there have been a small handful of threads in the past few years, that perhaps shouldn't have been locked (at least in my opinion) at the point of discussion they were at, but I will respect their choices, as I look up to them.
So, in my conclusion, I think I'll stay more neutral on this topic. I agree n' disagree with ye in many ways. I wish I would be able to type my perspective on all of the points, but this post is long enough already, so I'll end it here.