More and more mods are going to be released soon for HL2, and with BF2 out there now, with WoW and GW, Steam has alot of enemies out there.
Summer is ending soon, if there is talk about turning to a new game, i dont think its a good idea, but if it be, then at least wait till the end of September to see, by then everyone who has been on vacation and out for the holiday's will be back, if not, then i'd agree HL and NS are dying. If being the case, what are the possibilities afterwards for a different online game?