The game as it stands seems to consist of competing with other players for rats or mining gold. If you\'re lucky you\'ll encounter players who will share the rats. Others you just have to beat them to it. I do think the skills cost a fair bit early on to learn, I\'d be interested to know if the costs in progression points increase (It would seem appropriate for levelling skills to be easier at the lower levels and harder at the higher levels).
Yeah, it\'s a slow start. Hopefully they introduce some new stuff to the game soon (eg. crafting, new newbie area) so that there is more to do, and more ways of improving yourself.