Projekt hard dead ?

I play on the server since launch and cant help but notice that in the past week player count has decreased significantly .

Map 1 is dead compared to what it was . Trading on low-mid level is hopeless . Prices are all over the place , items take forever to sell and it has become extremely hard to find desired pieces . Trade chat is proof , some players spam their items for days . I remember looking for 2k hp necklaces and there were like 40 shops found , as of today there are 2 in Jinno 2 in Shinsoo and none in Chunjoo .

Just from my own circles many of my friends quit after the endless downtimes and lagg waves and also from my guild many players just disappeared .

I believe mid-level playerbase has lost a lot of people , the ones remaining are the self sustaining high levels who dont need the midtier stuff anymore and the other group is beginners/casuals who dont have any buying power yet .

Im interested if any of you think or experienced the same , and if you are someone who played but have quit , what were your reasons.