Okay this is completely crazy idea but here goes.
Every player can have only 1 village (no croppers). Registration open for 1 week.
Map is smaller, only 1 wonder. Goal of the server is to hold the wonder for... lets say a week. Don't have to build it, just hold it. (is the only way to have 2 villages)
Player gets zeroed -> out of the game.
5-10x game speed?