The current crop of doomsayers are more correct than any others have been. Since no matter when it happens, they're closer to the death of EQ than any previous predictions.
We'll have to see how well SoE deals with the upcoming tech bubble burst. As far as I recall, established MMOs do fine through those, since they're not really linked to the types of businesses that are being overvalued. The newer projects with a lot of employees might be hurt or dropped. But the projects with steady user base and income with relatively low costs shouldn't be hit TOO hard.
The interesting thing is SOE completely shuttered EQ for PS2 (excusable), EQ Mac, SWG, Vanguard, and Free Realms despite those populations begging for a consolidated server or officially endorsed . Vanguard and Free Realms, in particular, received a quick death. What's worse for EQ is that it will now compete with a 3rd generation namesake which will only ensure an inevitable death (by way of complete closure).
