With all due respect, that's a pretty loaded and one-sided question.

Sometimes we eliminate items such that they cease to spawn. We do this for a variety of reasons, from simply doing so to make the game more dynamic to removing items that proved to be too powerful to removing items that were bugged. Unless there is a devastating problem with an item, we tend to leave existing items in the players' inventories. Regardless of whether one perceives this as 'fair' or not, it is fundamental to how these games work. I'd also like to point out that earlier players didn't have access to all the newer items in the game, for example items that would have been very useful for them earlier on but may not be useful to them now that they are higher level. This too could probably be deemed 'unfair' but is again necessary if we are to maintain an evolving game with an advancing player base and if we are to add content on an ongoing basis.

I think that the assertion that newer players are 'second class' is totally false. They have access to more items, better items, the economy is more mature and items are more accessible/cheaper to purchase, and there is more general knowledge about the game. I stand by my earlier statement that the game today is both generally significantly easier and also more balanced now than it was when we launched.
Brad

This Statement is total Crap.
Yes Old players dont get newer items to get to their levels. However they can still get them. Brad you are forgetting MANY people dont just get items for Usabilty they get them FOR ROLEPLAY and Coolness Factors. ALL of the improvements you describe affect older players AS WELL AS Newer players.

Items that are removed...No Newer Players can get. Guess what Brad that DOES MAKE SECOND CLASS citizens. iF ONE GROUP HAS SOMETHING another GROUP WILL NEVER ever have. THAT MAKES THE SECOND GROUP SECOND CLASS.
I dont think you have any idea how much removing items makes people Angry.

Oh i might add...What new items all allfire excellent that it would have influenced older players games?
Fiery Avenger? hmm no not there
Quest armor? BAH hahahahha

Respond or not. The manastone removal will be the reason i finally quit the game...
I dont have any doubt. Something else will spark it...but that item removal is Most of my problem with EQ. It showed me Powergamers or People who have more time with EQ than i have are more worthy for Items in your eyes. It made me Feel as though as a customer you dont give a crap about me.

As for the RP aspect, again your definition of RP is up to you, but mine and many others includes buying/selling/trading. When I buy an item in-game I'm EARNING the item just as much as the guy who slew the monster. I collected the cash, I negotiated a good deal, or I provided him with another item he needed more than I did.