I guess those changes might raise the population a bit for some time, but it will drop again, because the basic problems of the game (balance of classes regarding the game mode, upkeep system, marketplace, multiplier system, banner balance) are not being fixed. People will get demotivated for the same reasons like before.
Nobody has stopped playing because of the changes which will be implemented here, and making the start easier for new players won't influence the problems the game has in general.
The more I think about it, those constant nerfs and this downright retarded sticking to "No! You keep your character and looms!" whenever a patch was applied surely had their fair share in demotivating players.
- You disallow players to respec or redistribute loom points after a patch which changes builds or weapon balance
- You introduce the marketplace feature, including training lessons and blacksmith for ridiculous amounts of gold
- For players who are dedicated the marketplace offered a place to make a lot of money and respec/rearrange loom points best to the "flavour of the month"
- Result: the players who play MOST and most likely BEST have no money problems any more (= constantly running around in better equipment), and can adjust to changes the best
- After any change, it takes time until people find out which are the most effective builds, and then it takes time for the devs to adjust the balance accordingly
- With free respecs (the planned 7 day system is fine by me and should have been implemented right away) this system would be much faster and less clumsy, allowing a much faster balancing process
But no, for some reason people decided that players should stick to their builds, making every patch a real gamble if you had an effective build. Of course people quit if you punish them without having done anything wrong. Or can you bring forward a single good reason why you forced people to stick to their builds and heirlooms? A single one? I bet you can't.
And as I listed above, that's only one of many many reasons.