I actually like the direction RS is going. I've been playing on and off since 2001. EoC near killed the game but it has recovered. Nothing feels like a grind anymore which is good. Whilst I was opposed to 120m capes, they've probably helped those individuals who seek such goals. A lot more enjoyable aspects of the game if you're willing to have the patience. The problem is, once the game went on miniclip, I noticed a shift with lots of people wanting skills FAST. Since 2001 I have ONE 99. Yes, one. I could max if I tried, but I just don't care about the levels tbh. Too many people get hung up about them, they get those 99s, then moan that RS is going down hill because they are bored and having nothing to do when clanmates aren't online.
Tbh, RS has recovered this year in elf city. The holiday events are also a lot better and more enjoyable. If the planned skill reworks come in 2015 then maybe it'll bring a new influx of players.
There was no golden era of 2007 in terms of player numbers. Most of the players online were bots. People need to get out of this delusion. The golden era people remember was before the wilderness was removed when pkin was booming. Once the wilderness was removed, that was the real cut off point for decline, not EoC. EoC merely accelerated things (of which microtransactions counteracted).
The hard truth is that RS is quite steady at the moment. I still see newbies doing quests and what have you. Its not growing but its not declining. The real trouble was transformers universe which has made them a loss.