[@Qia] same vein as my thoughts on blurry control. At some point in the life of an RP, it can reach a state in which the players have contributed creatively, logistically, etc. as much as the GM. The world and mechanics may be of the GM's making, but the stoties and relations between characters come from the players that join and participate. There's a lot of nuance to the matter, imo; maybe worthy of it's own discussion topic. 

I'd be inclined designate spinoffs as an acceptable avenue as well though, if the RP ran for a while and got deep into the plot. Maybe more easily done via 1x1, or closed RPs between the people the were involved. Hell, I'd go off site/PM style so as to keep it off the record. Deleting an RP to keep others from referencing it is, I think, a bit petty? Excessive might be a better term. Someone on a prior forum rage quit and pulled exactly that and left our group like wtf?