I have to wonder if the intent of developers is to in fact harm clans. When you think about it they want you to buy a new game as much as possible. They don't want you to play the same game for three years. Clans are often built around a single game, and many times when that game changes the clan dies or is at least affected. Do we really think they (the developers) are just this stupid? I'm sorry but I cant buy that, I think they know exactly what they are doing. They know we enjoy good strong clan systems in games, and that we enjoy being to create our own rooms. But when they add those things to games the players play them longer and pass on buying other games. Hell its worked on me, I just bought BF3, which i never would have if S4 had stayed true to Socom tradition. Confrontation was far from perfect but I played it for 3 years, I couldn't stand S4 after 3 months! Confrontation survived and overcame a completely disastrous start because it had a very good clan system (a shitty ladder system though) and user created rooms. Bottom line is things like clans and tournaments keep peoples interests in a game high. Players enjoy hanging with there buds and competing in a tournaments. Thats what kept me interested to Confrontation and thats why they have eliminated it. Maybe its more on Sony ? Im not sure, Im just not buying the fact that they dont know better.