To put it in perspective my brother, a recent college graduate with a huge gaming background but no MUD and no CF experience wanted to play the game after how much he sees me play and talk about it. It took him close to 12 hours to get through the newbie academy and the Simon quest alone. When I explained what took him 12 hours over the course of two days worth of gaming sessions takes me 15minutes + all the gear I know to get along the way he just couldn't conceivably commit to the time investment to get competitive.

I'll be honest knowing the kind of people that play and many of the interests that draw people to this sort of game he is the exact mold of someone who would both love this game and be a contributing member of the community. Short of CF we share almost all other interests in regards to gaming, if it weren't for the sheer number of hours required to ramp up I'm sure he'd be more inclined to continue playing.

I should add he has no job, and is done with school and STILL found the time investment too much. Now put that time sink in perspective for a man (or woman) with a family, a job, school or all three and do the math.