I think the problem is that the game went in to beta too early, players flocked in and are now disappointed when NQ changes things to be more in line what they envision for the game. The game right now is not ready for casual players, as JC has said now is the time to build the foundations for the society, the average player doesn't have the time or interest to be that invested in a game.
If it's too hard now, come back in a couple years and give it another try when the features and playerbase is more mature. It's alright to wait. Being frustrated that the game isn't complete is understandable.
There might also be a disconnect with what some people want the game to be and what the game tries to be. It's trying to be an alternative reality, with all the hardships that entails, not a theme park. At least right now, maybe there'll be theme parks some day who knows. It's impossible to please the creative (in the infinite resources sense) crowd who just want to build a cool deathstar in a week that everyone will visit and be in awe, and the 15h/day "I live in this world more than the real world and want the deathstar to be a real achievement requiring months of work" players.
The game being incomplete is probably the reason why there's almost zero advertising for the game.