I've been playing a long time and have spent a lot of money. But we may be few(dwindling?) in number. TL may be keeping a good income stream with new players just as we once were. Consider that a new player will be expanding in two ways now - collecting maps/clearing and breeding/mining. The rate of new dragons will present differently to them. A stream of new dragons will keep them in the present. I don't recall posts yearning to *please* bring back Ice Cream or Bride or Thunderbird. Their 'album to fill' will be plenty broad. New players may quickly begin to spend real money (probably on speeding!) and then, as we all know, they will become "invested" financially and emotionally. Supporting the long time players who are built out and crowded may not be lucrative - sadly -
(Personally, I cannot imagine starting at the beginning of the game - How did I get as far as I have?!)