I am also a Opera user (lover) from since I got my first computer - from before 2002. I use it as my primary browser from the beginning.
For me things are clear. The devs started to destroy Opera since they shut down Opera Unite. I have no need of a Chrome clone and I will never use the new version of Opera. For now I use 12.16 and when this version will get too old for my needs, I will look for other browser, probably Firefox.
I am truly sorry to see Opera project finished and all the wonderful settings and services once provided by this great browser, turned to trash.