I don't think TWC will completely die anytime soon, despite the decline in traffic, new memberships, and general activity across the board. So long as Total War games remain even slightly popular this forum will be a place for such devoted fans to congregate. Hell, there are plenty of people who come here long after they stopped playing video games entirely. Some people just want to chat and debate each other in their spare time, and in a forum that has some class to it instead of (gasp!) Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit. There are some really bright people who congregate here as well, and regularly entertaining ones too.
LOL. And beatings will continue until forum morale improves!