Emps lost it's spark long time ago. Not just update-wise but realistically. Most of the major / old players has left for various reasons, for someone it's education, boredom and OSRS.
^for me it's all of the three above.
Emps used to be fun before because it was actually challenging and fun to play with the "golden" players. If you log in today, everything is changed, the community, everything. Some people like to remain old school, sticking with old friends, old revisions, etc. I am one of these guys, if someone comes to my house and forexample moves my TV from the living room to the bathroom, I'd be pretty pissed, and that is how I feel about Emps' situation today.
I know rising is important, it is important to rise, but if nobody appreciates it, what is the point really? Emps had gained it's fame and popularity because it was unique, no other runescape private server out there was unique, they were simply just made to spend time and have fun, but Emps wasn't like that, I can tell this from my own experience. Ever since I joined Emps, it hasn't been about having fun / making gainz / getting rich, it has always been about forming relationships and the journey itself, believe me or not but this game actually had a really nice community until Al-Kharid took over.
Some things aren't meant to be, but that's when people split, from old players to new players.
Why does people leave from boredom
The game simpy has nothing left to offer, it is done, the challenge and old emps nostalgia is completely gone. And some people doesn't like to start over again *cough* Keaskybr53 *cough*
The game has too many new players and too less old players, the economy is in 1 player's hand; Hell Skyline (this gives a major disadvantage for big stakers as they can't get anywhere and end up at Introductions & Farewells section.)
Why do people leave for education
People find education far more important than this graveyard and wish to succeed in life.
Why do people go to OSRS
It's far more challenging, entertaining, a new start, there's ton of reasons.
My answer is No, and if you wish it to be Yes, well then you better hope Thomy is Tony Stark to build a time machine!