New Player Retention is a big deal with most games. It's not a problem unique to GL. However, being what the game is now (dated), certainly doesn't help. Some people like that sort of thing, though.
The game needs an overhaul and re-vamp; a dedicated desktop and mobile client would be stellar. GL could potentially divest itself from Facebook entirely, and head to the app stores and Steam, etc.
I imagine it would be a major undertaking to do, though...and Dan seems to be fairly hands-off right now (which is fine and understandable, not a complaint).
The Infinite Black is doing it, funding via Kickstarter (
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/96 ... -expansion). It's suffered from the same (dated) issues GL has had.
I'd totally support some sort of crowd-funded Galaxy Legion project like this, though.