It's easy to think that we may not identify with the game if we have no friends in it anymore or if we're abstractly "bored" of it but that may be inaccurate or at least too surface level.
I believe most of us identified with the game purely for its art too; meaning the voice acting and manerism and the general nature of its NPCs as well may play a big role; that may not be relevant anymore.
So if the devs want to strengthen the game: they may want to refresh the art design around the NPCs.
Doesn't "King's honor friend" and "Zug zug" get old after a point?