This is a good thread. And while Last may be bitching, I think I have to agree with him.
There's no one here, because there isn't much here for them. People want an alternative to the MLG/GB bs, they want to play socom and feel like they're a part of something more than just the in game ladder ranking spew. But I think the nature of this community is too exclusive, condescending, and rigid for the majority of that audience to be interested.
First of all, I'd like to say, that everyone is actually very nice here, and I truly believe you have a good group of people. My criticisms are not reflective of individuals here at UF, but more of the aggregate environment that the community as a whole has generated. My 2 cents as an outsider looking in.
1. UF is a good ol' boys club. The old guys playing cards in the bar at the country club or elks lodge. Its a controlled environment where they don't have to deal with the young whippersnappers. It's boring, its hard to break into, and the motivation to do so is low.
2. UF has too many rules. You can hardly make a post without breaking a rule. Its fascist the way things are edited and filtered around here. Its intimidating to the average user, you constantly feel like you might get slapped on the wrist or banned. Its not a welcoming feeling, in fact I feel like I'm out after curfew just writing this right now.
3. Everything is very procedural, nothing is intuitive, simple, or spontaneous. You suffer from major over complicatedness. The clan war concept is a pretty simple idea, 8 people play a video game against 8 other people. Having a way to compete and be a part of UF easily and spontaneously I think would go a long way in making this place more active. Otherwise people will just get pick up wars in the game, rather than deal with the process it takes to be involved here.
4. No one is having any fun, this place is all business. Its a place for clans that are run like businesses. Just talking about this on a Sunday feels like I'm being a work-a-holic, by spending time on my hobby. We need a little more comedy around here.