While I definitely understand where you're coming from, I think that 'defending' the nature of TLOPO(POTCO)'s egregious endgame is a bit of an overstatement. I definitely don't want it to be a cakewalk to obtain the most notable equipment in the Caribbean, but until a better (or more rewarding) variant of endgame is developed for TLOPO which probably isn't a very large priority for the Developers, the game and its community will be doomed to repeat the cycle that is looting for hours, days, weeks on end for even just a single item.
I think the hardest part about repairing the state of TLOPO's endgame is the stagnant culture of those who've reached and have remained at this point in the game's availability. Notice how many of the top players in looting for either variant of the game have one, maybe two Level 50 Pirates to loot on, (to test different methodologies in leveling or leaving certain weapons, or two double the likes of a Legendary drop) and nothing else. The early game is grindy and tedious, and just to be able to return the point in which they can continue Looting for Legendaries.
It's a cycle doomed to repeat from the start due to the nature of the game, and unfortunately (or fortunately) I can't see this changing anytime soon.
Hollowed Woods, and the other short term events to me, are put in by the devs to appease hard core gamers during beta. I come to that conclusion by reading or trying to read ALL forum sections. There should be an official section of 'How to play and beat tlopo' for anyone who plays this game obviously in a 'have to beat or conquer' their video games methodology.
There seems to be palatable split between players here, one side of assorted visible beta testers and one side with hard core gamers who play to win and beat or conquer a video game for self satisfaction. We all love video games, or else we wouldn't really be here. There are similar experiences and sharing between sides surely as well, with guilds and friends and such, It's not black and white by any means.
But everyone has different reasons for being here but there's still a division amongst groups. Admitted or not.
Paradoxically, all video games fundamentally were/are created to be sold and make their creators, publishers and marketers money. Simple, basic and accepted fact. However, here sits tlopo, doing it for the love of the game? I've already said I'd pay for a sub or something if tlopo went full, but I think tlopo makes some money from facebook, or other venues, maybe even this forum and why shouldn't they. I think that's great. No one works for free, or should. Tlopo shouldn't be self punished group of people just because they love the game. Maybe they don't feel confident that the game is worthy of paying for yet. In which case, that's even more admirable of this group of developers not wanting to shove some junk out there just to make a few bucks. I sincerely think that will come when they are ready and will be supported by the Tlopo community.
But that brings me back to the point of why call a gift from the devs to beta testers of a timed special event when they probably don't even need to put that kind of work into the project if this is only being public for beta testing.
Complaints as to how things are harder, or players are being punished or inconvenienced in my opinion are almost insults to the developing team considering we were invited to join as early beta testing players.
I harp about beta because I think many people are forgetting why they are here or never were going to put too much effort in helping the development of Tlopo.
We clearly need a non beta tester forum section for tlopo gamers in my opinion, like the other threads for outside games. Where people can discuss openly about their looting and escapades without worrying about beta conflicts.
It obviously won't be on my thread list. Which should make the thread a big success with that crowd.