Hey Ared! Good to see you again!
Unfortunately yes, open world casual RP has steeply declined ever since strongholds became a thing, and it's rarer than ever now. However, there are plenty of folks with a mind to change that, myself included! And yes, things have been a tad quiet of late, but I feel that is also very fixable. Still plenty of RP of all kinds to be had regardless, and I'm gad to see an old face come back 'round!