Hey, totally get where you're coming from — the smithing rework was a big shift for a lot of people, especially those who enjoyed the old grind of getting gear from PvM. The whole no-drops-above-runite thing definitely changed the vibe.
Since you left, quite a bit has changed — new quests, the Archaeology skill got added (really solid lore and gameplay), and Necromancy just came out recently too, adding another combat style. Also, a lot of QoL updates have smoothed out the gameplay in general.
But hey, respect for prioritizing real life and your video projects — that’s what really matters. RuneScape will always be here if you ever decide to peek back in. Good luck with everything, and thanks for being part of the game’s journey!