Right, here's a few tricks for GM's to keep their game alive (based on personal experience here):

1) Give players freedom to create the gaming world as well: Everyone has ideas when they first created their characters, and these ideas often mix (or clash) with whatever setting that we have established in the game. Let them help you in creating the gaming world so they'll have something to look forward to.

Letting the players control important NPC will greatly ease any dialogue sequence that they have in their heads and will create a much more interactive environment. Just don't let it get out of hand too much.

2) Time hops and god modding: Sometimes when the game is getting a bit slow or the characters are too spread out to even interact properly with each other, introduce a time hop to the future and group the characters together again.

3) We need something new: As mentioned above, the players need something new to play with. Create a new encounter and vary them a little. Don't make all of them skirmishes and fights, instead put something different like a treasure hunt, a gambling event, or even a masquerade ball.

4) Keep everyone together: When the characters are together, it's easier for them to interact. These interactions promotes post from the players and makes the game much more active.

All of these are GM actions, yet it's not impossible for a player to implement them as well. I suppose there is a fifth to the list:

5) Use the OOC! Everyone needs to discuss (or simply fool around) concerning the game and keep in constant check with the GM with what is allowed and what isn't.

I suppose the most important part about OOC is building up a friendship with the other players so that everyone will care about the game and won't let it die.

If the GM keeps taking steps to keep the game from dying or stagnate, it'll show and the players will do so as well.

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