I think the first wave of loosing players was as they was charged to close all the other Servers. As i know most of the German Players left the Game and never returnt.
We moved to Antigua and after they removed the 1st and 2nd rates we lost the next wave of playes. Now they bring back the big rated ships, but every Career can sail a Ship of the Line.
They was NO only and it was right. I allways played a Privateer most the time and i loved my Herc MC, but now she has lost all of her Glory :-(.
Also the retreat from Sony and i have not the Chance to get back my old Account, but it is a Love-Hate situation, because PotbS is the only playable AOS MMO i know.
regards
Jim