I know this thread is a few months old, but I hope this will be read.
I have recently lost a couple cities from my map - somewhere between April 10 and 14, 2016. I have read through this thread and, though I don't understand all of what was explained. I understand enough to know some cities have been removed back in February. I have found nothing stating what may have happened a few days ago to the two cities on my map. As I am also on the edge of the map (I don't know what ring, or node or whatever), therefore, losing a couple cities is somewhat important. More so, if more cities will be removed. On the flip side, gaining 2 (or more) ACTIVE players would be awesome!
Has another round of removals occurred? If so, how often is this to occur? How soon are the empty slots expected to be filled?
I also am situated close to three cities where the Main Halls are in the process of upgrading, no culture buildings are available to 'polish,' and the Builders' Hut has it's capacity of boosts. Additionally, many, if not most, of the cities around me seem to be abandoned, though many of these do, at least, have a culture structure which I can 'polish' for coins. Quite a number of players have seemingly lost interest in the game.
I feel a regular removal of inactive cities/players (and consequently adding active ones) is imperative to keeping the interest of many new players. When a new player sees so many inactive cities, it does not encourage play. The idea of trading without a fee to the close neighbors which are 'discovered' on the map is great, but is negated by the fact so many neighbors are inactive.
Yes, I am in an active Fellowship, but I ALSO make regular visits to my close neighbors to boost my coinage.
Though I am not truly complaining, but voicing a couple concerns. I dare not make a complaint without at least attempting to offer a suggestion:
I see where inactive players/cities are placed on a suspend/remove & replace list once a 'Where are you?' email remains unanswered.
Perhaps the developers can develop some algorithm or program to replace these inactive cities, individually, as new players join. This can probably be set up to be done automatically (from the list) and could eliminate lump exodus and open city spaces.
Because the more latent inactive cities will most likely be in the interior and the outer rings will fill more slowly with such a program (if ever), perhaps indicate every 2nd or 3rd new player to replace an inactive city and the others to fill the outer rings, or vice versa. The actual distribution would certainly depend upon the number of new players, and number of inactive cities.
In this way, precious server space is used optimally, open city spaces are eliminated, players are added into the world map interior and exterior somewhat evenly, and the oldest inactive cities are replaced regularly and in a timely, orderly way.
Maybe this can help solve a seemingly ongoing problem.
If I should post this somewhere else, please let me know. Thanks.