The game is focusing equally on individual development and at the same time on human interaction. A proof in that sense is the fact that when the era restarts, all members that were part of the alliance when the era finished are automatically placed back, regardless of the Administration level.
About getting good in the game.. what other way to get good at a game, if not the chance to start from zero and correct the mistakes you`ve made previously?
If you create an era that will be forever lasting, that will not ensure that your friends will stay in the game.. it just means that at one point they will stop playing, as the purpose of the game doesnt really exist.. you make army and develop economy time and time again, until the game will run so fast that it will require you to be online 24 hours a day.. The players that want to continue playing will be present in the second era also and the third one and so on.
Use an online chat to keep in contact with them (skype is very good for that purpose) and you can also use this method to organize attacks.
Adding an extra purpose to the game.. thats actually a good idea and here I feel the need to repeat myself: No matter what i write here, the suggestions will be taken into account and what is needed or good to have will be implemented.. i`m just expressing my idea about what you guys wrote.. we can consider this a brainstorming
Cheers