Originally based on Merc/DikuMUD code, Avatar has been highly modified over the years. Changes to areas, races, classes, equipment and other factors of gameplay have occurred, often resulting in player (dis)content. A loyal playerbase and strong staff (Immortals and Angels) have long seen the MUD remain stable, although player numbers have been decreasing over the past few years. In May 2008, a Publicity Team was belatedly formed to help increase player counts, which have plummeted steadily since 2005 due, in part, to the advent of graphic MMORPGs.