One of the problems that has often been voiced about the game is that its size makes large shipwide plots, be they combative or simply revelatory in nature, prohibitive. This is part of the "the game is too large, so we're losing the plot" sort of thing.
I think we can help this a lot by having dedicated NPC-taggers or plot-runners. In Lirath, for example, we were all asked to NPC for ourselves or for others, but with no assignments or formality to it. That left us either waiting for someone else to toss us some foes, or NPCing for ourselves -- and I personally hate the latter. I feel like I'm writing the NPCs just to set up my characters, as opposed to my characters overcoming a legitimate threat. What I'd like to see is that prior to a large plot, the NPCing be planned out to some degree. For example, Lirath, pick a willing player to NPC "all battles in Medical Phase 1" or the like. That will keep the threads moving, keep the players entertained, and allow for awesomeness to still be set up without being spelled out.
On plot pacing
I think we can help this a lot by having dedicated NPC-taggers or plot-runners. In Lirath, for example, we were all asked to NPC for ourselves or for others, but with no assignments or formality to it. That left us either waiting for someone else to toss us some foes, or NPCing for ourselves -- and I personally hate the latter. I feel like I'm writing the NPCs just to set up my characters, as opposed to my characters overcoming a legitimate threat. What I'd like to see is that prior to a large plot, the NPCing be planned out to some degree. For example, Lirath, pick a willing player to NPC "all battles in Medical Phase 1" or the like. That will keep the threads moving, keep the players entertained, and allow for awesomeness to still be set up without being spelled out.