@Khamal:
I see certain players are well liked OOC and get attention from DMs and other players alike.
I see players who are not well regarded in RP or mechanics, but get attention because they involve people in crazy schemes.
I see players who get approved for wild concepts and never get anywhere with them (and a week later, have another approval)
I see players who try and try to involve people and make things interesting and never get attention from anyone.
Overall, I see the DMs doing a much better job spread out over everyone.
Well said.
As far as I'm concerned, the only players who have legitimate gripes are those whose playing times invite a limited audience. But since we've got threads atop threads for coordinating in-game events, attracting the attention of your fellow players and DMs shouldn't be too tall an order for any player.
I'll grant you that DMs may have played favorites in the past (a few prominent v2 characters come to mind), but that doesn't seem to be an issue any longer – and I use a crazy amount of burner accounts.
Looking at the list above, I'd group myself with that third line, but I do it to make a point: you can develop the best, most interesting and engaging concept ever, BUT if you don't follow through on your character's goals (and the newer ones he/she amasses as you play), you're not likely to impress anyone.