So, this section...

[LightningTH]

For me, seeing the Mystical Forest Zone break apart is what bummed me out as it was the largest Sonic Spriting comminity. I was part of a project called ModGen. We were working on a major project of making Sonic characters in this style akin to the Genesis games.
But the site's forum went down after the new owner claimed he was revamping it, which never happened and the site finally died last year. Well, he's pretty much the blame for destroying what was a great community. Sucks too, because we are lacking in custom Sonic content.
Everyone from MFZ have since been busy with their artwork and blogs. Can't remember the last time one member visited here.
Heck, who knows where the sprites are archived now, as the private Dropbox that had the wip sheets is gone too.

During that, I've mostly been focused on drawing, playing games, going to conventions and making sprites privately. Some of which I do plan on uploading once i feel they're ready. Many ones I've still yet to finish. Including incomplete rips for here.

Even visiting Deviantart makes me cringe when it comes to anything over there. Including sprites as there's a lot of shitty Sonic Advance edits and I fucking hate the style because of it, even avoiding fan games that uses the style. Rarely anything in Genesis style.
And that's sad too because there's this guy here. Those are some of the best Amy Rose sprites that aren't her modern design.
Oh, and another thing thing. As much as cool some of the sprites at Deviantart are. They seem to share the same boring old stock palette that looks like it came from Amiga games, despite the fact Amiga games are notorious for beautiful and awesome pixelart.

I feel your frustration and disappointment, Dolphman. After my four year hiatus from spriting I was welcomed to mediocre Sonic Advance and Co. sprite sheets (they are very easy to edit) and a ever increasing disinterest in anything related to said Genesis Styled sprites. As people in this thread already mentioned, the many that were contributing to the gaming community have either moved on with life or just became disinterested in the subject all together.

Now that being said, that will not deterrent others and myself from continuing in making "good" sprite sheets.
Especially since I started a new topic which I post my Genesis Styled sprite sheets. I think Cylent Nite is still pretty active and Xeric as well...