? primarily for returning players

This is probably just a "me" problem, but does it feel weird and impossible to make new friends in game now? Between all the bots and scammers actual decent players seem to almost never talk. I've run into a few in passing at like the GE, but it's usually just that. Idk I might be overthinking it, but at times based on conversations I've had (not many tbh) it feels like a fair bit of players are playing this social mmo alone.

On a side note, is it just me or is the game in a buggier state than ever before?