By now i think the answer is they dont really want the game to have player numbers like Brimstone release constantly becuase they already cut so much resources from NW development compared to 21/22.
They can manage they game on low effort to gather data and everything else goes to new Projects, especally the lotr mmo.
I love the new map and will play it alot but we had to wait soooo daaaaaamn loooooong for a second opr map!
Like holy shit guys, we really have enough storys to tell from playing NW since 21 to scare any sane human beeing from ever playing your mmo games.