"...as there is no easy answer and we have to take into account all of the pros and cons..."
says it all really, the easy answer is yes, they want to wipe. The hard bit, is telling all of yous.
i dont think the advantage of the few remaining players (and lets face it there are few of us still playing and creating despite the whole wiped out crying going on), getting to keep there sanctuary base and the skill points would be game breaking, Rather, it would be a thank you from NQ for all our work helping them make money for as long as the severs run. SO what, if a few dozen players start the new game with 77 million skill points. It wont break the game to have a few highly skilled people kicking about the universe.
just my 2 isk worth, have fun fall from orbit...