I've been playing Spiral Knights off and on for about two years. It used to be something great, and even the grinding didn't bother me that much.
But then came a time when those levels kinda lost their charm, you know? I felt the pain of the grind a bit more. Once you run through the same levels over and over, the challenge fades. Eventually, OOO decided to release some new levels. The problem?
THEY WERE EVENTS. A new part of the game, only accessible at certain points of the year.
I could see it with the Winterfest levels, as they're holiday themed.
But Shroud of the Aprocrea? March of the Tortodrones? Even Black Kats?
There is absolutely no reason for these not to be levels available at all times.
Also, do you know how long I--and everyone--has been at rank 10?
Will there EVER be new mission levels!?
You know Margrel? The Kat boss? Yeah, never fought him because you only get the chance to get the required item on ONE OCCASION PER YEAR.
OOO, my suggestion is simple. Stop making events, stop reskinning weapons and passing it off as new stuff, no more random prize boxes, and make some actual new content already!
[/rant]
Events and promotions are fine.
Lack of permanent content in favor of events isn't. Lack of communication doesn't help their cause.