Actually, if I remember correctly, I was once a new player to CN that witnessed GOONS members hating on Ejayrazz in the Black Team Forum. In fact, I joined in and ended up apologizing for insulting a player I knew nothing about. Learned to eat crow a bit since then, but it's all part of learning. When I re-rolled my nation before this current one, I saw Ejay was a widely respected player and couldn't imagine how things could have changed so quickly. I also had to get the password to the forums from a fellow player as it took weeks if not months to get it from applying in the thread. Believe the password was 'midnight'.
Seeing FAN in their glory days of GWII, I had wanted to join them so badly. Upon my return, their reputation had also changed dramatically. They were in peace mode and eventually attacked for not following peace terms. My CN world had been flipped upside down.
The atmosphere of the game has certainly changed. I loved the Initiative and the League opposing each other. Was the most exciting rivalry in any game I've ever played. However, I also like where the game is at now. It's so much harder for an alliance to prove itself, for a leader to become something. It's a true challenge, only the strong can survive now.
Nearly 2 years for me, and it's been one hell of a ride.