In Ryzom, you get an additional choice -- Neutral -- instead of being immediately thrown into one of the game's factions like so many other games. Choosing one faction or the other offers distinct penalties: you are a sworn enemy of the enemy faction. In-character, you have devoted your life to serving your chosen faction, which is at complete odds with the opposing faction.
Neutral has benefits and penalties.
Kami has benefits and penalties.
Karavan has benefits and penalties.
If suddenly, Neutral had no (or vastly fewer) penalties, everyone would jump to the Neutral ship. It is the same as if either Kami or Kara had no (or vastly fewer) penalties. If one faction can buy any teleportation ticket they want, that is where you will see the majority of the players residing.
There are people who would pick a faction based on the lore and story, and ignore the mechanics benefits that it offers. But with any game, regardless of how compelling a storyline is, expediency and practicality wins the hearts of the overwhelming majority compared to strong adherence to the story.
Neutral has benefits and penalties.
Kami has benefits and penalties.
Karavan has benefits and penalties.
If suddenly, Neutral had no (or vastly fewer) penalties, everyone would jump to the Neutral ship. It is the same as if either Kami or Kara had no (or vastly fewer) penalties. If one faction can buy any teleportation ticket they want, that is where you will see the majority of the players residing.
There are people who would pick a faction based on the lore and story, and ignore the mechanics benefits that it offers. But with any game, regardless of how compelling a storyline is, expediency and practicality wins the hearts of the overwhelming majority compared to strong adherence to the story.