I was about to quit this game 2 weeks in, and if I hadn't gone on IRC and had a chat about fun realms to play in then I would have.
This game just isn't inviting or easy to new players who have no idea of mechanics, no idea of whats fun and no idea how to play. If they join a smaller realm hoping to not get killed 5min in, then they will often be bored if there is no war currently happening.
Also players can be unwilling to experiment, and would rather just quit. Its a hard game to wrap your head around sometimes.
I personally think that if new players weren't enticed then a lot would leave, and I don't care about bribes if it means there are more players. Because after the wars are done and people have learnt some stuff they will move on and find new things to do, new islands to play on or switch realms. Bribes are just a means to an end.
