Hello and welcome to the game.
1. The days of this being a "new game" and the "latest craze" are long past. You will not see masses of people making new toons as in the old days due to so many others have higher level toons now or are playing some other "latest thing".
2. Some people prefer to "hide" the fact that they are on. Whatever the reason, they hide for either personal reasons or some other advantage.
3. You are not the first person or game I have seen this type message on. I tested another game lately (not Champions) and the first thing I was greeted with online was a broadcast of "is this game still popular?". I broadcast back "is that important?" and he/she replied "yes". I then said "you should play games for fun and amusement... not for what others will think of you..." I never got a reply.
A game is a game. Monopoly is still fun, it may not be the rage, but it is fun and who cares what your friends or neighbor thinks. Have fun and enjoy yourself. However I am 55 and I could really not care what is popular anymore, maybe I did once, but I cannot remember anymore (the one advantage of getting older I guess).
I am Airman America... Super Hero... and I approve this message!
Welcome to the game. You're on the highest population EU server. The last official word on population figures where when Ghost Raptor - a former EUCC - stated that Union and Defiant had similar figures to Freedom and Virtue. However that is out of date and I'd suggest you follow some of the advice given by others in this thread.
You're welcome to send me a message - I play almost exclusively on Defiant and my global handle is @Riff
Also broadcast that you're looking for an Active Supergroup. I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses and will get a chance to meet other players and teams.
Enjoy the game!
Thelonious Monk
Sometimes you get the bear; sometimes he get you, rips your head off, sucks out your eyes, pulls out your spleen, humps your leg and pees in your boots