[TheLieka]

The basic problem here is that you guys (the self-proclaimed voice of the people) are trying to push ideas to the staff by holding population numbers as the carrot. The server's staff cannot, and (if they're smart) will not make knee jerk decisions with the direct goal of increasing the server's population. Making decisions with the goal of increasing the server's population always amounts to pandering. Pandering makes the game easier. Making the game easier is better for a player, but worse for the server.

The discussion of blanket xp bonus vs no xp bonus is moot; it really comes into reducing the time it takes to level, thus reducing the content with which players interact, thus reducing lifetime of the available content.

The discussion of hot zones vs no hot zones has the goal of promoting interaction amongst the existing population without forcing it. Increased interaction should make the experience more fun (or at least more memorable). A fun and memorable experience will generate more buzz, which will attract new players and keep existing players without making it the express goal of the action (i.e. better game, better experience, better population, no pandering required)


TL;DR:
1) The staff should not make project decisions in an attempt to increase population.

2) The staff should make project decisions to make the box more fun; if the box is fun, the population will increase as a result (without pandering).

Summary: Hot zones are good. Blanket xp bonuses are bad. If you want to know why, read the rest of the post, numb nuts.