In a recent post Marlin raised the question of whether we can usefully continue given our present number of members and the reduced volume of posting; this is now given added point by LICA’s departure. At the moment we have just 8 members (ATA, MAL, PMT, PCH, DCR, PCN, CSB and PAV), and none of us are really posting at our old levels of vigour.

The Umpireship is a heavy burden and it must be a little galling to have to do all the work of preparing INs every fortnight when few of us are producing major posts or interacting much. As Justin said some time ago, we need more players to make the Game viable, ideally at least a dozen. Should we then call it a day?

I confess I am in two minds about this. I recognise that my own enthusiasm has waned over the last year or so, and that generally there is not now the same volume of posting, of opposing cliques and interacting plot lines as in the past. On the other hand I feel sad at the thought of no longer playing the Game.

I suggest that what we all need is a total break. Why not put the game into suspension for several months, then review the position again and see how we all feel about a resumption? The 25th March 2009 seems an appropriate date, as the beginning of the Roman New Year. It might even be that this is the moment to revise the Rules radically, as has long been promised, and start the Game afresh at 200BC. Maybe this would tempt some of our entertaining ex-players back to the fold?