and probably for others, is that PK edges contributed to making the game
*more addictive*. I felt as if my character grew and became more powerful
PK-wise (kinda like a pale imitation of what an AP player feels) and that gave me an incentive to not only play more, but engage in more PK situations, take risks, try to become a better PKer and so on.

Since I played the game mostly *for PK*, this constituted a powerful *feedback loop* PK->edges->PK.. that kept me going for years . *It never got boring or stale*.

On the other hand, farming observation XP had me reaching for the barf bag after the 2nd time I tried to do it and exploration for edge sake wasn't far behind.

CF started as a RP-enforced PK-focused MUD. This is what brought the passionate players and the longevity, what made the game. Unfortunately somewhere down the line the PK focus has been diluted with more and more tedium. There is no better game in existence than CF in its golden years I feel, it's just too bad that the current incarnation has deteriorated to such an extent.