Board Game Arena

I just remember a ton of games having so many games open with people rushing to join. Now I see dead games because the population is split between formats and the fact if you are not paying you can't play the "best and optimal" version. Back in the day, I remember the site taking donations...

I'm just curious but does anyone else feel this way? I can't find games to play and when I do its always less than the total number of players the game has to offer. Its sad because I've been a member since 2013 and coming back to the site it looks like everything is a "pay wall" to do any...