Well, it used to be massive, it is players who left and gone playing on other servers. They didnt complain and suffer on empty server, they paid and having better experience on new server. If you like the game enough, you will also pay, 18€ can not be a barrier.
It was the same with crying for 15€ clone price, like it is somehow huge barrier for people not playing Era Classic. If people really wanted to play Era, 15€ cant be an obstacle. And even if it is, those players should review their financial situation and forget about video games and worry about food and drink.