My humble opinion, the game started to go down hill when it became necessary to impose all kinds of rules to try to channel gameplay in a certain direction.
I'm not sure if it is necessary or not, but it certainly does add to the frustration factor. It seems these rules frequently require the implementation of other rules which then require additional rules etc. etc. etc.
Or, it could be that after paying to play for 6 or so years (and playing for free for 6 mos. before that) I'm just bored and jaded and looking for something to blame.