To be honest I think the largest problem with player retention is lack of interest past the first 2-4 hours or so on a new server. I'm pretty sure that most of the consistent players on this game were people who played Evony and understood the social aspect when they joined this one. If Tynon were to boost that aspect of the game I believe more people would stick around past the first 1-4 days. I also think increasing the population of servers will decrease the need for "noob friendliness" because competition will be spread out.