I have been playing the game since 2012 so I have seen lots of changes and improvements. I must say that I enjoy the game and still could complain about many things but I am not going to do it because I understand that most decisions are quite difficult when it comes to a game like FoE.
I do understand the frustration of those who built the Mars GBs, though. It is never nice to change something after people have pursued it and spent time and resources. I remember it happened long ago with CdM and CoA, they were heavily nerfed and we all received vouchers to autolevel one level instantly any of them anytime we wanted. Most already forgot that... and the game has been better and better.
We all wish the game to become something different, we all have something different in mind, but it is up to the developers and owners of Inno to decide. I may stop playing someday, that is for sure, but not over a GB change or some nerfing or unfair rewards... I would only stop playing once the game is not exciting anymore and as of today I still play daily in four worlds but mostly Cirgard.
I will agree that Mars is hard and has not meaning at all. For me, beyond the fact that I like to be on top of Tech and Continental map everytime, is just another era/age to complete. Once I complete it I continue farming troops, goods and FPs and planning in advance the new era/age to come. The only thing I pursue is expansions and FPs, shrinking kits are the only thing providing expansions right now (indirectly of course) and FPs I am trying to get to 1000 FPs a day to take my GBs to 100 level... once I get there I may reconsider things lol.