[baggy]

simple quick answers that could be implemented to help include the following:

1) alongside the feature where a galaxy can add a galaxy channel with 'key' to the comm unit ADD a feature where you can auto login to netgamers and if they dont have a netgamers nick - a link to the site with a short description on why its useful.

2) you could change the quests etc but a quick solution (that goes part way) would be to explain WHY you are doing a quest in the quest overview. So instead of saying this -

'Description: You need asteroids to give more income to your planet. Initiate some!'

it says

'initiate some asteroids for income, as the game progresses you can steal them instead (combat explained here: link). you can also supplement your income with mining (link to manual here), Population (link here) and refineries (link to manual here)'

longer descriptions would go some way to explain to the average new person why they are 'initiating asteroids' OR 'setting Population'.. links to the manual would help the lazy, new or returning people and writing it in PLAIN ENGLISH would help.

3) create a quest where they open up the comm unit and join the galaxy channel. Maybe make it compulsary for galaxies to have ONLY key locked rooms and MAKE them have them added to the comm unit.

4) im not going to comment on the exile function but it does seem that something needs to happen. you cant have galaxies floundering because they have small inactive planets (there are alot of em) and cannot exile them BUT conversely if you have an exile function (self or not) it does allow abuse..

working on the in-game stuff to start with would make small improvements for the small amount of returning players to this small game..