I made a similar post to this on Classics, but I think it's worth talking about now given this post and the **current map.

Civ is a hard game if you're new or alone. The mechanics lend themselves almost entirely to groups of people rather than single men if you want to advance up the tech tree in any meaningful capacity. Unless your name is Shapha2002, I doubt you can swing it on your own.

Yes, there is an allure to starting your own nation right off the bat and "joining the international community". Being new, you might think that a UN is a good idea. Perhaps you think that you can start an epic war and win. Perhaps you think that somehow a bunch of people will join you and form the next big thing. You'd be wrong.

• Recruitment is hard and even harder is retaining players (keeping them interested and invested in the game)
• This server has a decade of past history, grudges, and story behind it--so unless you're very competent, it's unlikely that you alone can make a name for yourself on your own.
• Burnout on this server is very real, even if you have a decent group. It's likely that you, on your own, or you, as a small nation of 3 people, won't advance and get "invited" into the international community.
• Unfortunately, wars here cost a lot in blood and treasure. The nations that have been through war also have a ton of experience in the game. It's not as simple as "raiding a base", it's taking on battle hardened vets with a lot of resources and experience. It also has become, unfortunately, a "no quarter" affair. If you attack someone, be prepared to be wiped off the face of the earth.
  

In my nearly 8 years of playing this game, off the top of my head I can only think of a few truly "new" nations that managed to stick around and gain international prominence.

• Imperial Truidence (Trudencia)
• Lambat
• CDM/AP
• I'm probably forgetting some.

Most successful nation leaders bide their time and learn the ropes for at least a year before cutting their own path--and usually they end up not cutting their own path because they get wrapped up in leadership positions in their first or second nation. It may not seem like it, but you can go far in an established nation if you know your shit and help out. For example, the elected Head of State of Icenia, Rinvincibl3, started playing about 6 months ago and is an r/place recruit.

Instead of jumping out of the gate to try to form a nation that is likely to fail or go dormant in a month, why not get the full scope of this game. Move to an established town, learn the ropes, start learning about how EXP is made, make close friends with some people there by offering to help them out, and move on up that way.

A lot of us are old as fuck. We're looking for new excited players to carry on the legacy of our nations. I know I'd be pissed if Icenia "died" if I decided to quit (I won't lol, this is the only game I play). So that's my suggestion.

What I don't suggest is cluttering up the map. It's high time to figure out who is active and who isn't, and remove the inactive players from the map so new people with large groups can set up shop.