Sorry muwe, but I totally disagree with you.
There is a perfect way to sunset a game. Have one final era with some of the best players from all the version 4 realms. Then you can make it fair by setting all production bonuses, construction hours, premiums and guilds free for everyone. Then offer support and ban players that multi account and fix battles..... Sounds a pretty good way to me, wouldn't you agree??
Oh wait a minute!!!! That was done!!!
Then after 6 months of playing it was all thrown out of the window.
In my alliance we were talking about giving the newer versions a go after this era. Can't really say we'll be doing that now.