Wow.
Although I'm sure it's happened before, this is the first time I've ever heard of an MMORPG "shutting down".
I played Galaxies on release for quite awhile, took a little "break", and when I came back, they had switched skill tree for experience levels, and that just ruined it for me.
I had to kind of chuckle at denial of there being "decreasing player numbers" ( or however he worded it.. ) and that the changes Sony made to the game were a "mistake". Yea, you think? ( Though, I suppose I can't fault Sony too badly, since I am such a fan of the EQ legacies.. )
Thanks for the article, it was interesting!