It doesn't matter what changes are done to this game, the fact is; there are too few players left. I do however think its a better strategy to focus on the netgainers, we are all like 40+ in age now and the war aspect of the game is something not many have time for, while netgaining is alot easier.
I guess time will tell, will EE lose more players now or will more come back because its easier to be left alone to netgain now.
If the game had more players, I would argue keeping a server with the "old" rules would be good. Or a server for player vs bots. But there are too many servers as it is right now for the 100 or so active players left.
In the old days it was easy to recruit. I have recruited players since the introduction of bots and was told the game does not follow the Mission Statement. These are not fat, lazy folks that just want to hit bots and share social media conversations. They want the challenge presented by the earlier game days.
A LOT of old vets returned in the past few sets to war.... with the new Clan GDI and everyone signing a 1 yr pact (prior to Clan GDI) they no longer want to stay and most have left already. WE even saw a few new recruits who came to the game.