The old emps community grew up , got a job and started doing adult things.(mike scrob married)
I think that's the main reason, this server needs advertisement since the old playerbase has quit and there isn't a new income of players.
I don't think thats entirely true...
I played back in 2009 (?). I'm 22 years old now, got a girlfriend, got my own house and a full-time dayjob.
And I still like to play Emps.
But I do agree on the advertisement part...
Emps-world should really do some more effort on advertising.
Also the double-XP thing is like a drug...
People get addicted to it and hate it when it's turned off because they get used to it.
Make it a special event, like once a month but make sure to advertise the double-xp weekend date on the homepage.
This way you'll attract people and get huge number online in that specific weekend.
Also the economy will evolve, because everyone will be buying resources and will get ready for the double-XP weekend.