from the last time i logged on comparing to 2 years ago the game is depleting quite a bit
theres not really any good servers anymore (dont say "MAKE YOUR OWN SERVER" because i can't manage that stuff)
i would probably give the game itself about 2-3 years to be completely dead unless a miraculous update happens that completely revised the game, it'd probably increase popularity and extend its life span
the forum is too good to die out in 2-3 years, i'd say badspot would pull the plug when hes in his early-mid 40s
and honestly i can't blame him
he made a good living off of this game and its what shaped my childhood to be great (despite me being depressed and all, thats another story)
i still remember the exact day i bought this game
was probably the most fun i've ever had playing in an 800x600 window on a 2005 computer
july 6th 2011 was probably one of the greatest days of my live
enough rambling
anyway, the game is probably going to fade into obscurity because there is only 1-2 good servers that are out there and the rest are really unpopulated because they dont have good ideas