[Lasher]

I said "the players", not any individual player. I can create code. I can replace a server. I can add new socket code. I can't replace the player base as easily.

The game exists for the player base. It is a community. Without the community, there is nothing.

There are many things the "game can't exist without" and a server is one of them, code is another, the internet existing is another.

You could argue that players are technically not needed for "the game to exist". You are technically correct. That's the difference between running a community and a coding project. Many MUDs are just that, coding projects. Your code can be copied / replicated, your community - not so easy.

All imho of course, there is no "right or wrong" answer here.