While it is understood that CipSoft does not have control of the game as yet it is not too soon to express this.
Before you make any changes to Settlers Online, you need to resolve the connection issues. Without that being your primary focus you are just tossing good money after bad.
Many players have missed days of the event as a result of not being able to log into the system. When we have had access to the game we get constant connection issue notices, game drops, and server shutting down for maintainance.
Please take time to respond.
My home server is Ares