I didn't see the population decrease in 2142, but I was usually too busy killing people in the Walker to care. 2142's unlock tier was better balanced. You basically got to pick each unlock per rank. Ever single rank gave you something new. Then the expansion dropped like 12 new items that were based on earning awards for playing the expansion. It was a much better balanced system for unlocks IMO.
I don't play as much because it was finals week here and was off failing school. Now that I have no future, I plan on killing people in BFBC2 for fun. I think MMO's scheduling game times is the difference.
I enjoy this game because I have friends to play with, but I only see like 6 people from TPU online. Differences in time zones, work schedule, sleeping schedules, etc. can get in the way. I say we should plan a coupon of games on our servers in the next few weeks. I am off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Other days I work from 2 p.m. central to 10:45 p.m. central.
How about a game with friends from here (cause it is more fun) on Tuesday at say 7ish Eastern?
P.S. While I can't stand MMO's, I have to admit their is more to do in them, boring to me as it may all be. Plus there are just more stats to mod giving a larger range of stuff to have. BFBC2 has like 5 things you can change (Primary, secondary, 3 skills). There is a lot they can and should add to the game to beef up the content. Short list of stuff I want besides more guns.
*Earned Bonus Skill Slots or Selections (up to 2)
*Laser Sight for handguns
*Laser Sight for Primary Weapon
*Machete (for killing multiple cluster targets at once, not longer range)
*Smoke Launcher Upgrade (denser, wider spread smoke)
*Night Maps (Actually night maps like BF2 complete with Night-vision goggles)
*Tear Gas gun
*Flash Bang Grenades
*Javelin Launcher
*Urban Maps (with 3+ floor buildings)
*Open Terrain Maps (large open areas for vehicle vs. vehicle combat like 2142)
*Random Weather for seasonal maps (Rain and snow storms, but not every time you play the map)
*Air Strike Marker (just 1, randomly placed on the map before round)
*Improved Camo for the soldier/kit, not 1 gun.
*Stat bonuses (reasonable stuff, not MW2, like Extended clips for kits and side arms, faster rifle scoping, Alternate sights for non-kit primary weapons, CQC to allow possible counter to knife kill, extended time for spot balls, faster update for spot balls, dual wield pistols, faster reloads with Platinum Star weapons)
. I have to start looking at higher ping servers to find 32 players in them and that's not cool for me. I can tell the difference. 
Because of this I've stopped playing.
