Back in 2011 was the year I started playing Champions Online. I was drawn to this game for its one-of-a-kind character customization. Imagine having a selection of over 50 jackets, but then being able to pick apart the jackets, mix and match their components as well as mix armbands and chains to create a one of a kind custom jacket. The same goes for any other article of clothing you can come up with from medieval armor, to a hi-tech power suit, or even reshaping the proportions of your character to look like a toad or a duck. There were also a variety of animal or monster parts, like bird heads, toad heads, even a snowman head as well as matching hands and feet for what ever you created.

Another amazing feature was the depth in which you could customize stats and abilities. There are 42 different classes to choose from, but you can also make a "freeform" where you can mix all the powers and stats at your leisure with over 100 movement related abilities, 19 different stats to build your character around, 12 different damage types to play with, and countless powers to attack and defend with.

I could never find another game that clicked with me quite like Champions Online, but with the decline of its popularity and how less and less players are active I have found myself drifting away from my favorite game. Out of all the games I play I would say I, personally speaking, play this one the best. The best players, in my opinion, have all left. The worst part is people didn't even recognize them as the best. Taro, in my eyes, was THE best tank/defensive player in the game, while Splaid was THE best glass/dps in the game.

Beyond the decline of popularity there is another force that chases me away from the game. Out of the remaining players who are active I have noticed a very disturbing social atmosphere. Closeted degeneracy, manipulation, gossip, gaslighting, egomania, tribalism, and or worse. I only have one friend left in the game and he struggles to enjoy himself in the game due to all of these social problems the remaining player-base seems to have.

I still log in once in a while but I don't see myself trying to play anymore. I only like the character customization anymore.

PS: the new dev team is awesome. cut them some slack.